Can Windies spring a few surprises?

“West Indies face another whitewash.” That is common view as the Caribbean side prepares to take on England from today at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. 

Many cricket pundits anticipate that the three-test series will result in a lopsided victory for the visitors. 

In putting to bed any arguments against that notion, notwithstanding the possibility of upsets, tune your attention to two factual references. 

One, England is ranked third in the world behind India and South Africa while the host is meekly resting five places lower, one rating point higher than Bangladesh, the ninth-ranked test playing nation in the world.