Former West Indies batting coach, Toby Radford, is of the view that the West Indies will not have an easy road when they face a pumped Bangladesh side at home.
Radford, who is set to join the ‘Tigers’ after the West Indies’ three 50-over and two-Test series, was appearing on the Barbados radio programme, Mason and Guest.
“I think it’s going to be tough. There is still some core players there, Blackwood is in good form, Blackwood’s there, there are some big players still in that team that is traveling [but] its clearly missing one or two big players,” said the Englishman.
Some 10 players opted not to tour the Asian country including Test captain, Jason Holder, Vice-captain Roston Chase and limited overs captain, Kieron Pollard.
As such, Kraigg Brathwaite, who was stripped from the Test vice-captaincy role in order to focus on his batting previously, was given the captaincy while 34-year-old Jason Mohammed, who last played international cricket in 2018, was handed the leadership role for the 50-over side.
“It’s a bit of a mix isn’t it. A mix and match side.
Some genuine in the team and one and two of them getting opportunities. I love seeing young players getting a go and I love seeing what they can do and this might be the making of a player or the comeback of a player,” he opined.
Nevertheless, Radford did not shy away from the fact that Bangladesh has grown as a side since they last toured and will no doubt come hard at the depleted Caribbean unit.
“I don’t think it’s going to be easy to go there. I think the Bangladesh side is good, they are very good on their home soil, they know how to play their home conditions.
“I think Bangladesh in World cricket is a far better team than when we played them back in 2012 when I was there then so I think it will be a stiff test,” he reckoned.
Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican
ODI squad: Jason Mohammed (capt), Sunil Ambris, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Keon Harding, Hayden Walsh Jr.
