DOUBTS OVER FOAKES, WOAKES... AND STOKES!

ENGLAND may be without Ben Stokes as they seek to avoid becoming the first team to lose to West Indies by a three-Test margin since the Eighties.

The Durham all-rounder travelled to England’s penultimate training session but did not take part because of a bruised right heel. The 27- year- old remains confident of being fit, having sat out the net session as a precaution. He spent most of the day having ice applied to the affected area.

However, the development was still a concern two days before the final match in St Lucia and the England management will undoubtedly take a cautious approach with the World Cup and Ashes on the horizon.

Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes was still reporting some discomfort in his right hand a week after being struck by Shannon Gabriel in Antigua. He and Chris Woakes took some part in training yesterday. Woakes sported a knee brace, appeared to take a reduced role in the afternoon session and is almost certainly out of contention.

India in 1989 were the last team to lose to the Windies by a scoreline of 3-0 or greater, and after seeing his side slump wretchedly to a 2-0 deficit, England coach Trevor Bayliss slammed the lack of a will to fight and called a crisis meeting at the team hotel.

Vice-captain Jos Buttler said: ‘As a player, when those kind of things are questioned, it can hurt your pride so you want to prove him wrong. Watching an innings such as Darren Bravo’s, who showed lots of guts and courage on a tough wicket to take lots of blows, sometimes that is what it takes.

‘The guts, courage and determination of our group is very strong. We have not been good enough to show that at times on this tour. Looking at this week we will be looking to show lots more of that.’

West Indies are unlikely to alter their modus operandi of pace and aggression at a ground where Shannon Gabriel claimed careerbest match figures of 13 for 121 versus Sri Lanka last year.

England will contemplate several combinations with the bat, including Joe Root moving to three and Buttler to four. ‘ It’s probably high for me,’ said Buttler. ‘But you have to do what’s right for the team and I feel I can perform the role the team requires.’ l BEN DUCKETT and Sam Hain both registered half-centuries as England Lions closed on 303 for five on the opening day of the first unofficial Test against India A in Wayanad. Duckett clubbed 15 fours as he top-scored with 80 from only 118 balls.