Brendan Nash expects "interesting" West Indies v England series

Former West Indies batsman Brendan Nash believes the forthcoming series with England should be an interesting one as it pits two "strugglers" together.

Nash was in the last West Indies side which hosted Test matches against England six years ago, when the Windies won the series 1-0.

Without many of their big-name players, the home side have found it tough going in the longer format of the game, and were beaten by Ireland during the recent Cricket World Cup, before going on to reach the quarter-finals.

That is, however, better than England managed in the World Cup, and there could yet be a hangover from that in the Caribbean.

And Nash, who now plays for Kent, believes that makes for an intriguing series.

"The West Indies have appointed Phil Simmons as coach," he said. "From the outside looking in, he's done a great job with Ireland and hopefully he can do the same with the West Indies set-up.

"I think it's the right move, they'll still struggle for a little bit, but unfortunately so are England a little bit.

"It could be a bit of a battle of the strugglers and that should make it an interesting series."

Kent have an interest in the series as spinner James Tredwell is in the England party, and Nash believes the conditions could help the 33-year-old if he is handed a second Test cap.

"It's good recognition for James," Nash added. "England have struggled for a spinner since Graeme Swann retired. Treds had that one opportunity and hopefully he gets a few more and puts Kent on the map again.

"The surfaces can be a bit spinner friendly out there, very dry and slow wickets and hopefully he can use that opportunity."
canterburytimes.co.uk