By Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport
England Test captain Michael Vaughan poses with young fan Daniella Barnett soon after arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
PLAYING WITH a customary straight bat, England cricket captain Michael Vaughan yesterday deflected questions about his team's chances in the coming series against hosts, the West Indies.
During a brief press conference in the Norman Manley International Airport's VIP Room soon after his squad's arrival in the island, Vaughan pretty much said the four-Test series was too close to call.
"First and foremost, the last time we won a series here was 36 years ago," Vaughan, a prolific right-hand opening bat, said.
"None of our squad was even born then," he said. "We do keep a close eye on the history of the game. The only bit of history we are looking to create is what we do over the next 2 1/2 months here ... that is all we can control.
"We have got two similar sides. The batting is very experienced but both sets of bowlers are relatively inexperienced. It's going to be which team can put the opposition under pressure through volume of runs.
"We've come out here to win and enjoy the islands and we are looking forward to playing exciting cricket against a young and well led side by Brian Lara."
WARM-UP MATCHES
The England team will play two warm-up matches in Jamaica before the Test series starts at Sabina Park on March 11.
The first game will be against a Jamaica XI from March 1-3 and then they will play a UWI Vice-Chancellor's XI from March 5-7 at UWI.
England coach Duncan Fletcher said the build-up to the first Test was short but that was part and parcel of international cricket nowadays.
"The way cricket is played these days the preparation is limited," Fletcher said. "The guys just have to make sure over the next two weeks that they knuckle down and get ready for the first Test."
