West Indies fast bowlers dominated the English batsmen when they visited the Caribbean last year in a 2-1 Test series win that reminded everyone of the glorious past.
Now, on the return leg in the UK, paceman Shannon Gabriel said there is no reason why the strategy to intimidate them with pace and hostility should change, especially in conditions that will offer a lot more to the fast bowlers than back home.
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"I don't think the plans should change too much from what we did in the Caribbean. We used pace and that worked. What we did was successful. I don't think we should fix anything that is not broken," Gabriel told reporters via video conference.
The series, beginning July 8, will mark the return of international cricket after a lengthy hiatus due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Having gone through an ankle surgery, Gabriel is part of the 11 reserves that the selectors have chosen for this bio-secure series, apart from the main playing squad. The 32-year-old is hoping to regain full fitness and be ready in case his opportunity arrives.
"After being away from the game so long, almost six or seven months, you're kind of hungry to get back on the field. I'm looking forward to the warm-up games and then we will take it from there. I've played a few Test matches before, so I know how to prepare," he said.
The series opener will be played in Southampton. But before that, during their ongoing period of quarantine and training in Manchester, West Indies players will take part in two inter-squad matches. It is there that Gabriel would like to remind the team management of his worth.
"The last time I played (for West Indies) was the India series (last September) in Jamaica. I want to play, I want to be ready to play against England."
"I'm fully motivated. If you're playing for your country and you're not motivated, you really should be on the field. This is not about half-hearted. You have to be all in," he added.
(Inputs from PTI)
