Jayawardena rates England as best Test team

Saturday, 18 June 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dubai Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardena says England is the best Test team at the moment, especially when it is playing at home, On this week’s ICC Cricket World Radio Show.

Joining Jayawardena on the show is respected commentator Tony Greig who previews the upcoming Test series between West Indies and India.

Jayawardena, who is currently featuring in Sri Lanka’s Test side taking on England at the Rose Bowl, says: “I think England, in their home conditions, is the best Test playing nation. They’ve played really good cricket. I think England hasn’t competed that well in the sub-continent. It’s the one thing they haven’t conquered.

“England haven’t managed to beat the likes of India and Sri Lanka in the sub-continent but overall they’ve been the most consistent Test playing team in the world and it’s a great opportunity for us to come here and challenge them and see where we are as a side.”

Joining Jayawardena on the show this week is commentator Tony Greig who looks ahead to the upcoming Test series between West Indies and India which begins on 20 June in Jamaica.

“The West Indies will pick their best team, which will be an improvement on their one-day side. India are still suffering a little bit due to their very hectic schedule as few of their players are unavailable. I still think their side, with Amit Mishra bowling well, the West Indies are going to struggle. “The Indian side have a very strong batting line-up, no matter who plays. The bowlers will be able to cause some problems to the West Indies in the Test matches.

“They have also improved quite dramatically on the field, especially this younger group. So from that point of view India are a better unit these days. India will win the series but I am hoping for a better performance from West Indies,” says Greig.

Meanwhile the former England captain picks out some players to watch from the West Indies’ side.

He says: “I mean there were one or two quite extraordinary performances in the one-day series. Andre Russell made 92 off 64 balls in the third ODI in Antigua. I remember a young Viv Richards when he played. It was like this Russell knock. When he (Viv Richards) played then, they stayed hit and Russell is someone I would be persisting with. I would look to play him in the middle-order.

“Obviously Kieron Pollard has a lot of natural talent. There are certainly a few youngsters they need to persist with. They have to hope that Kemar Roach fires and I would like to see them play Devendra Bishoo as well because he looks good to me. There is a reason for a bit of optimism for the West Indies.”