Think its been a helpful tour/couple of tests for our

confidence, given that our biggest issue over the last couple of years has been the batting and the batting is going quite well against a decent enough but not terrifying Windies attack on flat pitches so far. Stokes looks back on form and Lawrence has done well. To that extent its job done so far although not 100% convinced by Lees so far. Looks solid (perhaps thats the best we can hope for right now) but his first class average does not suggest he's the long term answer.

Also think we've bowled reasonably well. We don't have the bowling line up available on this tour to take 20 wickets on flat pitches but we've developed a few squad options as as you say Mahmood looks good and Fisher not bad. If you add back in Wood, Broad, Anderson, Robinson, Stone and Archer (assuming some of the speed merchants can stay fit) then its a bit different.

I like Leach but yes we need another spinner and prefrebly one who turns it. in hindsight (or maybe foresight when they saw the pitch) we should have played Parkinson in this last test.

Posted By: Jim, Mar 21, 11:17:05