England “feel clearer” about their team for the opening Test versus West Indies following the two warm-up matches with a St Kitts and Nevis XI, according to Head Coach Peter Moores.
The tourists have played out a pair of two-day draws this week in which all of the squad have enjoyed game time, including by some playing for the opposition.
The first of three Tests against the Windies starts on Monday, so Moores is pleased to have a good idea about his preferred XI.
“I think we feel clearer in what we’ve seen,” he said. “We’ve seen our players all have a really good go. We’ve got used to the conditions a little bit. So we’ve got some decisions to make over the next three days.”
Having several England players representing the hosts allowed squad members who would otherwise have not featured to get some valuable match practice, including Jonny Bairstow scoring 98 and pacemen Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood bowling 14 and 13 overs respectively.
“The last two days we’ve mixed the teams up a bit,” Moores added. “We’ve had some great practice, and credit to both sides in many ways for getting stuck in and getting that.
“We’ve been here for nearly a week and it feels like we’re ready I think so we’re very pleased.”
England captain Alastair Cook is among those to have benefited the most this week, making a century in the first fixture and batting throughout the morning session yesterday.
“I thought Cookie played beautifully again today,” Moores said.
“He obviously retired but the hundred was really good for him, time in the middle, just getting the feel again for Test match cricket.”
Moores also paid tribute to the late Richie Benaud in the tweets below.
Moores on Benaud: "He made heroes of the players he commentated on & his enthusiasm for the sport made you want to get off the sofa & play."
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 10, 2015
England coach Peter Moores has paid tribute to Richie Benaud: "Richie sums up all that is great about our sport. He was a true gentleman."
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 10, 2015