Head Coach Peter Moores has warned England they will not have it all their own way during the Test series with West Indies.
Moores’ side had to settle for a draw in the first game of the three-match series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua after running into stern resistance from number eight Jason Holder.
When James Anderson broke a frustrating 105-run stand between Denesh Ramdin and Holder to surpass Sir Ian Botham as England’s leading Test wicket-taker, the tourists appeared to be in a strong position to push for victory.
But Holder, in only his fourth Test, completed a maiden first-class century to take the Windies, set an unlikely 438 to win, to safety at 350 for seven.
And after witnessing the strength of depth in their batting, Moores knows West Indies will be no pushovers in their own backyard.
He said: “In three days time we've got to be ready to go and front up and play good cricket against a good team.
“We've seen that with Holder coming in at eight, they've got good depth, (Kemar) Roach can bat and with someone like (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul playing on pitches like this, they are tough guys to get out.
“We have to bowl well to take 20 wickets and play well up front against the new ball.
“We've got to try really hard to go one-nil up in Grenada and then we go to Barbados where there will be huge England support and we're just keeping it simple, and going game by game.”
All-rounder Moeen Ali could return to contention for the second Test in Grenada, starting on Tuesday.
The all-rounder flew to the Caribbean after proving his return to full fitness from a side strain in Worcestershire’s LV= County Championship Division One defeat to Yorkshire at New Road.
With James Tredwell straining his arm diving for a catch late on the final day in Antigua, Moeen could be handed a starting spot.
.@jimmy9 reading some of the messages on one of the gifts the team got him, drawn by @Liam628pic.twitter.com/MMtgyoqGM7
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) April 18, 2015
Moores said: "Certainly, Mo is one of the key players for us. He had a fantastic summer last year and a good winter.
"Mo is very much part of our plans. We have to check where he is at because he's had this stomach strain but Mo feels very good about it.
"Tredwell's got a niggle in his arm, diving for the catch that came off Gary's boot. He stretched quite a lot for that.
"We'll see how he scrubs up over the next couple of days and see if he's available for the next Test."
While Anderson stole the headlines, several young players also produced brilliant performances.
Gary Ballance completed his fourth hundred in nine Tests, Joe Root contributed two fifties and two cheap wickets with his occasional off-spin, while Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes also compiled attacking half-centuries.
“It’s an environment where those players feel they can go out and play and express themselves as players,” Moores said.
“One of the nice things is when you see young players come in and do well. And we have seen young players do well.
“Hopefully they’re gaining something from that; gaining some confidence. Because part of this environment is being prepared to play and not just play safe.”
On Anderson moving to a record 384 Test scalps, Moores – who has coached him at both domestic and international level – said: “Post-game he could come into a dressing room with all the lads. His family were there, which is great.
“For Jimmy, he can move on and focus on the main thing, which is winning test matches for England, which is what he’s passionate about.”