Dominic Cork feels England cannot take West Indies lightly

 

“We have to look at all sports around the world. Stoke City manager recently tested positive ahead of their game against Manchester United but that didn’t stop the football. I think it has to be safe for the players and once you allow crowds back in, it’s really hard to predict,” he added.

“It’s good that cricket and football are going ahead with no crowds at this time. In England, the cricket clubs want to organize at least some games and they are in talks with the English Cricket Board (ECB) and the government. They are allowed to hold some games, their first pick will be T20 and then 50-overs,” Dominic Cork added.

“I don’t see any four-day games going ahead in England this year when it comes to domestic cricket due to the fact that there is hotel stay involved. T20 is held in a regional way as it is and I believe we can see some action on that front around mid or late-August,” the former Lancashire all-rounder said.

For England, it will be a matter of revenge over the West Indies, after they were humbled 2-0 in the Test series in the previous encounter between the team in the Caribbean.

“England will be keen to prove to the West Indies that they are a good side. It’s not a team that has your Kohlis, Williamsons or Smiths but they are a very efficient unit. The home side can’t take West Indies lightly by any means because they have a good outfit, a hard-working skipper in Jason Holder and experienced coach in Phil Simmons, who knows England conditions very well,” Dominic Cork mentioned.

“It will be difficult for both teams coming into Test arena because they are both coming back from an unusually long lay-off. It will be interesting to see how they can get their body and mind ready for the challenges of Test cricket,” Dominic Cork, who guided Derbyshire to T20 success as head coach, said.