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Last week I looked at the England batsman that will be hoping to score big runs on the current tour of the West Indies. It has to be said that with both Kevin Pietersen and Owais Shah hitting hundreds in the warm up match at St Kitts, the signs are good. Andrew Strauss seems to have found some form after his first innings duck as well and has just passed three figures on the final day of the warm up match.

Overall, you do get the feeling that England have plenty of runs in them. Especially against what is generally considered to be a rather average West Indies bowling attack.

What about the bowlers though? It is all well and good scoring 400+, but England will need to take 20 wickets to win Test matches! Let’s take a brief look at the bowlers at Strauss disposal. And Tim Ambrose…..

Tim Ambrose – To be honest, he is lucky to be on the tour at all in my opinion. The shortest wicket-keeper in the world and only averages 24.73 in Test cricket.

James Anderson – Never quite know what you are going to get from Jimmy do you? Has been a regular in the side of late, but could do with a tour remembered for his wickets rather than his customary ‘four-ball’ every over.

Stuart Broad – There is no doubting this man’s talent. He can bat, bowl and field to a more than adequate standard. It’s just getting the most out of this talent that appears to be the problem. He needs to get his Test average of 45.23 closer to his ODI average of 27.58.

Stephen Harmison – Another man who could do with a big tour to prove his critics wrong. Had his most successful spell as an England player in the West Indies, taking 7/12 against them in 2004. More of this and he will again be England’s main strike bowler in the Ashes series.

Monty Panesar – Monty probably hasn’t progressed as much as many people would have hoped. He just needs to believe in himself more. You are an excellent bowler Monty! Encouragingly took four wickets in the tour match.

Adil Rashid – The ‘young blood’ of the squad, this Yorkshireman should have a long international future ahead of him. Whether he plays much on this tour, I’m not sure, but the experience will be valuable for him.

Ryan Sidebottom – Arnie, as I like to call him, has been injured for what feels like an eternity. Despite this, he was England’s leading wicket taker in 2008 and his accurate swing bowling will really trouble the West Indies. Is he fit though?

Graeme Swann – Had an excellent Test debut against India and will always do a solid job for England. Can hold a bat and field admirably as well. He will probably act as Strauss’ second spinner alongside Panesar. I hope he can nail down a place in the side. Monty needs competition.

So, there you have it. I have gone through the whole squad in not much detail, but with plenty of realism. In terms of the bowlers, I have to say that I’m a little worried by how many of them need to ‘prove themselves’. None of them have been in exceptional form over a significant period of time. Perhaps expect Sidebottom, but he has been injured. Hopefully several of them can find their best form from this tour onwards.

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about cricket betting

Tags: england cricket, west indies