Rory Burns Expecting 'Stiff Test' From The West Indies

Rory Burns, England Test opener, is expecting stiff competition from the visiting Caribbean team when England take on the West Indies in a three-match Test series next month.

Subject to government approval, international cricket will resume next month on July 08 with England and West Indies set to lock horns in a three-match rubber which is slated to be played at bio-secure centers in Southampton and Manchester.

The last time England and West Indies locked horns in a Test series, Joe Root’s men were handed a 1-2 shellacking at the hands of the Men from the Caribbean.

“They’ve got a lot of good cricketers there and it’s going to be a stiff test no matter who comes,” Rory Burns said on the Sky Sports podcast ‘The Cricket Show’.

“The last time we played each other, they won, so they’re no slouches certainly,” Burns said.

Also Read: VVS Laxman Lauds Former Fellow Teammate As One Of The Most Destructive Batsmen

Rory Burns is expecting stiff competition from the West Indies pace-attack

West Indies annihilated England with their pace attack in the last series in the Caribbean, and Kemar Roach, who was the leading wicket-taker [18 wickets at 13.88] in that rubber is a part of the 14-man squad named by the visiting time.

Alzarri Jospeph, who claimed 10 wickets at 23.80, is also a part of the 14-men touring party, while Shannon Gabriel [9 wickets at 31.22] is among the 11 reserves which will travel with the main squad.

“Their bowling attack caused us a lot of problems. They’re very skilful; they’ve got some pace. I remember walking around on the pitch of the first Test and seeing their bowlers going and thought, ‘this is going to be quite tasty!’ Rory Burns reminisced.

Burns, who has racked up two Test hundreds and six fifties in 15 appearances since that series, missed out on the Winter tour of South Africa after having suffered an ankle injury in the warm-up game of football. Burns is the part of the 55-man training group that was named by the selectors recently.

“The ankle is strong. I would’ve been able to start the county season, if that had gone ahead on time. That was really my first injury of any note in my career and so to pick it up at a time when you feel like you’re developing and moving along in the right direction, it was quite frustrating. It’s nice to be back now, have a bat in my hand and get back to it.” Rory Burns revealed.

The first Test between England and West Indies is slated to start on July 08.

Also Read: Yuvraj Singh Issues Clarification After Calling Yuzvendra Chahal ‘Bhangi’