COC Cricbattle Daily Fantasy Cricket League Tips: West Indies vs England on January 23
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Considering the decline of West Indies cricket in recent decades, you would expect England to be the favorites going into a Test series against them, even in their own backyard. However, for some reason, West Indies managed to rally themselves in the last two series in which they hosted the Three Lions in 2009 and 2015 to win the former and draw the latter. So, this contest may not be as easy to predict as many would imagine. Apart from their smashing victory over the home side in 2004, West Indies has been one of the most difficult places for England to visit. They used to routinely get beaten during the great era of Windies cricket in the last quarter of the previous century and haven’t been able to register too many victories since their historic triumph under Michael Vaughan. Having registered a whitewash over Sri Lanka in their own backyard, England are buoyant and looking to turn the tide of history. West Indies, though, suffered a whitewash themselves in their last series against Bangladesh in Bangladesh.
Best economical pick – The batting troubles of West Indies are well known. However, there would be a big boost to the batting strength of the side with the comeback of Darren Bravo into the team. He has always been the best player of spin in the West Indies team and that would be a big asset in countering the English spinners who are on a high after their great efforts in Sri Lanka.
Top captains & vice captains – Jonny Bairstow's last test outing saw him score a critical hundred batting at No.3, a position which has been a spot of bother for the English team for a while now. His form has been pretty good in international cricket and should be the one to be picked for the captain role in fantasy team. The one batsman everyone is excited to see is Shimron Hetmyer. The typical West Indian flair that he possesses makes him a delight to watch when in full flow. He played an extraordinary knock in Bangladesh where he incessantly hit the spin bowlers for sixes over midwicket.
Smart pick – Moeen Ali is ready to accept the responsibility of being England's leading spinner in Test cricket for this series against West Indies. England recorded an impressive 3-0 series whitewash over Sri Lanka at the end of last year, with Moeen taking 18 wickets as part of a three-pronged spin attack.
Cautions Pick – It was in the last Test series between the two teams in England in 2017 that Shai Hope grabbed the attention of the world with hundreds in each innings of the Headingley Test to lead his team to victory. Hope has not lived up to the expectations since that historic performance.
My XI – Jonny Bairstow (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer (Vice-Captain), Moeen Ali, Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Stuart Broad, Jomel Warrican, Ben Foakes, Ben Stokes, Jason Holder, Joe Root
