NOTTINGHAM:
England captain Andrew Strauss has warned his side to expect more
difficult days ahead as they seek to wrap up a series victory over the
West Indies.
Strauss's men go into the
second leg of a three-match series, which gets underway at Trent Bridge
here on Friday, with a 1-0 lead after a five-wicket win at Lord's.
But
the West Indies took England, the world's leading Test side, into the
fifth day at Lord's and twice made them stumble in pursuit of a victory
target of 191.
"It was very hard work (at
Lord's), that's always the case with Test match cricket," Strauss told
Sky Sports at Trent Bridge here on Thursday.
"Often it's hard work to get on top of the opposition and often it's hard work to nail that final nail in coffin.
"The
West Indies put up a really good fight, there's times when they made
life difficult for us and we were relieved to a certain extent to get
over the line and win that game, but we're also aware we have to do it
again this week if we want to win," added opening batsman Strauss, who
ended his 18-month wait for a Test century at Lord's.
Alastair
Cook (79) and Ian Bell (63 not out) saw England to victory at Lord's
after they were in trouble at 57 for four, while the first Test was a
personal triumph for seamer Stuart Broad, who took 11 wickets in the
match.
"That target was tricky and there
was a time when we were under a bit of pressure and Alastair Cook and
Ian Bell dealt with that very well, and that's very important," said
Strauss.
"There were some really good performances from our side.
"Obviously
Stuart Broad bowled exceptionally well, most of the batters got a score
in the game, so I think we're feeling in pretty good form heading into
this match.
"But as I said before, we
don't want to get ahead of ourselves, it's going to be very hard work
this week, and matches here are always hard fought."
While
England ponder whether to alter their seam attack, after all-rounder
Tim Bresnan managed just one for 144 at Lord's, the West Indies will be
forced into at least one change.
Fast
bowler Shannon Gabriel, who took four wickets on debut at Lord's, was
subsequently ruled out of the rest of the series with a back injury.
His absence could see the return of fellow quick Ravi Rampaul, who would have played at Lord's but for a neck problem.
"Last
year-and-a-half Ravi has been the guy who always takes wickets with the
new ball for us," said West Indies captain Darren Sammy.
"The way Kemar Roach is bowling and the inclusion of Ravi, that could be a very good combination for us."
And
the tourists -- who in 22 matches against Nottinghamshire and England
dating back to 1906 have never lost a first-class fixture at Trent
Bridge, a run including four wins and four draws in eight Tests -- could
recall off-spinner Shane Shillingford.
The
Dominican was left out at Lord's, despite taking 10 wickets in his
previous Test against Australia on home soil in Roseau last month.
But Sammy said he could return as West Indies look to improve on a record of just two wins in their last 31 Tests.
"Most definitely, we'll consider playing Shillingford," Sammy said.
"Looking
at our attack, playing on flat pitches over the last year or so, a
spinner has always been in our line-up, and we've gone with the two
quick men and myself (a medium-pacer), and that has been successful for
us.
"So we'll definitely consider that and hopefully we can go out there and take 20 wickets against England.
