Jack Russell looks set to end a 17-month England exile when he takes his place behind the stumps for the four-day against Jamaica starting on Friday.

Jack Russell: comeback

The Gloucestershire wicketkeeper is bidding for a place in the first Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park later this month which would take him to the half-century mark in Test appearances.

Russell lost his Test place to Surrey's Alec Stewart to give the batting added strength.

Now he is likely to begin his rehabilitation in England's first tour match against Jamaica at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay, a fixture in which the Test side will begin to take shape.

"I've been out for 12 Tests and it really does seem longer than that. And it gets harder every time when I'm left out," said Russell.

Captain Mike Atherton, Alec Stewart, vice-captain Nasser Hussain, Graham Thorpe, Andy Caddick, Dean Headley, Angus Fraser and Russell can pretty much rely on launching England's bid to win their first series in the Caribbean for 30 years.

Mark Ramprakash, John Crawley and Adam Hollioake may be playing for one batting slot, while Mark Butcher could occupy the number three berth and hold down a place as a fourth seamer.

Left-armer Phil Tufnell favourite to be the spinner ahead of Robert Croft.

The England management may opt to give them a game apiece before the Test, either at Montego Bay or Chetwin Park, Kingston, where Atherton's men play their second match against West Indies A.

England will be doubly conscious not to get off to a losing start, as they did in Zimbabwe last winter. Atherton recognises time is short and the opportunity cannot be wasted.

"You can't struggle in the early games and expect to turn it on in the Tests," he said.

"We are all well aware of the fact that we haven't beaten the West Indies in the Caribbean for a long time," he added.

"There are two ways of approaching that, the record will either intimidate us or we will use it as an immense challenge, and that is the way we are viewing it.

"The whole squad can see a huge opportunity to be the first team to win in the Caribbean for a long time."

Jamaica will pick from a squad of 14 and will be captained by Test star Jimmy Adams and not Courtney Walsh.

The pace bowler, who recently lost the West Indies' captaincy, will be putting his feet up instead of putting the England batsmen through their paces.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©