West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach said the visitors are treating the three-Test series in England as their own Ashes equivalent but for the Wisden Trophy, which they are desperate to retain this month having won the series at home last year.

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"We were relentless and it set the tone. Everyone put in and we're looking to emulate that here. Taking the trophy back home to the Caribbean is the number one goal," Roach was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"Winning in England would be perfect but it's about defending the trophy. This is our biggest series, like the Ashes for us, so it's about getting into that zone," he added.

Roach & his pace partners were at their best in the Caribbean in January-February 2019 when they dominated the English batsmen in an unexpected 2-1 triumph. 

"That day in Barbados is top for me," he recalled the first Test, having taken 18 scalps in that series. "It was the best I have ever felt; my body was healthy, the ball was coming out perfectly, I was expressing myself. There was no added pressure, just total comfort. That's how I got the best out of myself."

The opening Test of this series in Southampton, starting July 8, will be historic as it marks the return of international cricket since March following the COVID-19 hiatus. 

The playing conditions will be slightly different, considering the ICC has discontinued the usage of saliva for ball-shining on an interim basis to impose new bio-secure rules for cricket's return amid the pandemic. This is expected to make life difficult for bowlers. 

"Yes, that's the tough part, but hopefully, we can get some hot days and the guys can work up some sweat. Although it has to be a pretty warm day for us to sweat. But whatever the weather, we'll find a way," Roach concluded.