Sunday, March 15, 2009

ENGLAND VS WESTINDIES 1st T20:England aim T20 revenge for Test, Stanford


England continue their tour of the Caribbean with the solitary Twenty20 International on the itinerary against the West Indies on Sunday at Queen's Park Oval.England have a couple of reasons to look forward to the match and the five one-day internationals against the West Indians that follow. Many of the players on the West Indies side were members of the Superstars selection - financed by disgraced investment banker Allen Stanford - which inflicted a heavy defeat on the tourists last November in Antigua.Also, this Twenty20 International presents England with their first opportunity to take revenge on the West Indies for their 1-0 defeat in the five-Test series.England will hope that a number of fresh faces will bring a fresh attitude and the results that have been missing from their travels throughout the cold months.

For England captain Andrew Strauss, there is additional pressure. Apart from trying to mastermind England success, he personally has a point to prove, having not featured in a one-day international since the World Cup in the Caribbean two years ago, or a Twenty20 international for the last three seasons.England have recalled all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas while off-spinner Gareth Batty has been added to the squad after Graeme Swann returned home for an operation on his elbow. A stomach bug has sidelined Paul Collingwood and England will probably keep Andrew Flintoff under wraps before unleashing him, and his injured hip, in the 50-overs matches.

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