Windies get in gear for Archer

WEST INDIES’ pace attack has been bombarding their batsmen to prepare them for Jofra Archer.

The likes of Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach and Jason Holder have been taking no prisoners in the Old Trafford nets as they prepare for the three-test series that begins on July 8 in Southampton.

And with Archer fit to resume his Test career against the nation of his birth, the Windies top order are expecting fireworks.

But opener and fellow Barbadian Kraigg Brathwaite says he will be ready for whatever comes his way, thanks to the training regime.

“I think Jofra is quality,” said Brathwaite.

“I have never played against him, even back home in Barbados, and I look forward to the challenge. I know he gets to the crease kinda easy and that is something different to most fast bowlers, and he has a high release point.

“Our net sessions are quite competitive and the guys are quite aggressive with the ball, so that will really get you in shape.”

England named eight uncapped players yesterday in their squad of 30 for a training camp at the Ageas Bowl next week.

The large group will allow England to play a three-day warm-up game on July 1 before trimming the squad to a more familiar size before the first Test. England training group: Anderson, Archer, Bairstow, Bess, Bracey, Broad, Burns, Buttler, Crawley, S Curran, Denly, Foakes, Gregory, Jennings, Lawrence, Leach, Mahmood, Moeen Ali, C Overton, J Overton, Parkinson, Pope, Robinson, Root, Sibley, Stokes, Stone, Virdi, Woakes, Wood.