The former English cricket captain, Graham Gooch, says England's forthcoming winter tour to the West Indies stands every chance of success.

Graham Gooch discusses England's chances on Radio 5 Live (2'42")

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Gooch, now team manager for the England A team, said England had "as good a chance as they have ever had" of winning a series in the Caribbean for the first time since 1968.

"The West Indies have been very successful with the four fast bowlers policy over the last 15 to 20 years," he said. "[But] I think it has changed a little bit now, where the quality of their bowlers coming through is not up to the standard of previous years."

Gooch led England in two series against the West Indies, losing 2-1 in the Caribbean in 1989-90 then drawing 2-2 on home soil in 1991.

Now he says the time is right for Mike Atherton's men to put on the pressure.

"We have four or five batsmen who went there the last time in Atherton, Stewart, Hussain, Thorpe and Ramprakash, so they know what they are up against, they know the type of cricket they are going to be playing," he said. "And that experience is going to be good for us."

"On paper the sides are more evenly matched this time than in the past four or five series. We have talented cricketers but need to work on our consistency."

But despite the former captain's confidence, history favours the Caribbean side. In 115 tests between the two sides, England have won only 27 compared to the West Indies' 48. Forty tests have ended in a draw.
 

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