England v West Indies, 2nd ODI at Bristol - Preview

Bristol: England will resist the temptation to use the NatWest one-day series against West Indies as a warm-up event for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament starting in less than a fortnight.

Thursday's wash-out at Headingley, England have just two matches remaining in the series before they switch their attentions to the World Twenty20 and their opening match against Holland at Lord's on June 4.

But captain Andrew Strauss, who is not in the Twenty20 squad after asking not to be considered, will not compromise with selection in the next two matches just to give players match practice for the other event.

Uncapped Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan, who has been included in both squads, is one who would benefit from a run-out over the next few days as a possible replacement for Kevin Pietersen, who has been ruled out of the series with an Achilles problem.

Strauss, though, stressed: "I think it's important to compartmentalise each form of the game and pick the best side to play in any given series.

James Anderson has been outstanding form early on this season and claimed nine wickets in the second Test victory at Chester-le-Street. He has been a threat with the white ball for a long time now and with Andrew Flintoff out of the side is England's most experienced quick. He is at the peak of his powers and will be aiming to continue his form over the next few weeks of one-day action.

It was a quiet Test series for Shivnarine Chanderpaul who didn't make a half century and struggled against Graeme Swann. However, England would be foolish to underestimate the man who has been the fulcrum of West Indies' batting line-up for years and can switch gears at the drop of a hat.

England haven't replaced Kevin Pietersen in their squad so are down to 13 players. With an eye on the Twenty20, Eoin Morgan could be given his debut so the selectors can assess his form while Matt Prior will move up to No. 3. The trio of Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom are probably fighting for two places.

West Indies didn't give many clues as to the way their team selection might have gone before the Headingley washout, but allrounders are likely to place a key role in the middle order. Runako Morton, a late replacement to the squad, and pace bowler Ravi Rampaul are also in the shake-up.

Pitch and conditions
The forecast is set fair with temperatures set to raise so there shouldn't be any concerns on that front. Previous ODIs at Bristol have produced pitches with pace and bounce, as opposed to the slow surfaces that often greet domestic cricket.

Match facts
Sunday May 24, 2009
Start time 10.45pm, 9.45GMT

Stats and Trivia

• There have been 11 previous ODIs on this ground and England have lost their last two matches here, against New Zealand in 2008 and India in 2007.
• West Indies have played two ODIs at Bristol, losing to Pakistan by 27 runs during the 1999 World Cup and also being beaten by Zimbabwe in 2000.