Experience is not enough for Thorpe

As the experts study form before the West Indies v England series gets under way, there appears to be a common thread upon which they all agree. Both sides have reliable batting strengths; neither of them have a proven bowling attack. All of which probably means four results in four matches, all achieved inside four days as bowlers make their names while denting the batsmen's reputations.

Those looking for good omens from an English viewpoint will highlight the experience that lurks in the batting order. It might be that it is six years since England have toured the Caribbean, and 36 years since they last returned victorious, but the fact that they have the likes of Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe with experience of previous visits should bolster the batting.

Thorpe himself does not necessarily bank on experience per se as being the key. "It can count for a bit as I used to think when I looked at experienced cricketers in the team," he says, " but it's only when they produce the goods that it counts. There were plenty of times when I was a youngster when I scored runs so I think that inexperience can be great as well because you're fresh and meet new challenges.

"Sometimes it's good going into the unknown. I used to find that when playing on new grounds, your standard of cricket would be raised and you'd be enthralled by the prospect of playing on a new arena. But I'd also say that going back to some of these grounds like Barbados, where I've played in Tests twice before, and Trinidad and Antigua, means that I'm looking forward to it.

"I've been there on three trips and have always thoroughly enjoyed the cricket out there. They appreciate it when you do well and get on your back when you don't so it's the sort of place where you want to be producing the goods."

With Thorpe having shown on a doubtful pitch in the last match against the Vice Chancellor's XI that he is obviously enjoying the unique challenge of the Caribbean, England's hopes will rise. But none of the party will be taken in by suggestions that this West Indian team is sub-standard with a pop gun attack. Least of all Thorpe.

"It's not really kidding me! I've always been slightly loathe to accept it when people say `this is the weakest attack and the weakest West Indies side. I don't really buy into that. If we don't play well, we won't win and the West Indies at home, even when people have been writing them off, have given the Australians a run for their money and that's good enough for me.

"I certainly won't be underestimating them and this is something we've chatted about. You don't go out to play anybody and write them off. That would be foolish. At the same time, it would be wrong for us to go out thinking we couldn't win, because I've played before when we've thought `this is a great side and we can't win.'

"I think we have to go out there and do our best by grabbing the bull by the horns early on and try to get on top of the West Indies because it will make it a lot easier for us if we can get off to a good start in this series."

Rather than concentrating on the opposition, Thorpe is keener to look at the England team. He has played in several over the years and rates this one as having immense potential. It might even be that it can mature quickly while he is still a part of it.

"This is a growing side to me. I think Nasser Hussain had a very settled England team for a time. I would think Michael Vaughan is still working out what areas he needs to settle on. For example, I would think all the bowlers are competing to put their hand up and say `I'm going to be in the next England opening partnership for the next five years'.

"There are some batsmen who are still playing who will be saying `I'm good enough to get in this side' along with others coming through who say `no, I want to be in the side'. It's a healthy balance. I would say it's building. In a few years' time Michael could have a much stronger England side."

This series could be the key to how the team develops and which players do come through. Thorpe judges that there will not be much in it looking at the strengths of the two teams and assessing conditions that are likely to be encountered along the way.

"I think it's going to be a very closely fought series. I think a lot will depend on the pitches. I have found that they are often slow but you can get pushed back by some of the pace bowlers and that can make for technical problems that you have to work on.

"If we can keep some of their top batsmen quiet and can get on top of some areas in their bowling, then I would back us to come home as winners. But it's going to be very tough for us - as we always say before we go on tour!"