|| Desk Report |||

West Indies legendary batsman Brian Lara said England will start as overwhelming favourites against the visiting side when both sides meet for the much-talked-about three-match Test series amid the concerns of the coronavirus pandemic though the players will remain in a biosecure bubble.

But Lara thinks that the series would depend on how quickly they can adapt to English conditions.

The tour opening Test of the three-Test series will start at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton tomorrow, the match which will be the first international cricket contest since March when the coronavirus outbreak halted all sporting actions across the world.

“West Indies have to be able to pounce immediately. England are not beaten very easily at home and are overwhelming favourites,” said Brain Lara, who scored a record 11,953 runs for West Indies in 131 Tests before he put a halt to his illustrious international cricket career,

“They have to hit the road running and stamp their authority on England,” Lara told the BBC highlights programme, where he was a part of it.

“I don’t think they can last five days, so they have to take these games in four days. They have to establish a lead and keep it,” he added.

The 51-year-old legend said it will not be easier for them to be done well against the hosts, who improved much in their recent cricket.

They are holders of the Wisden Trophy after winning 2-1 in the Caribbean last year, but have not won a series in England since 1988.

“It’s going to be a series that’s watched all around the world and everybody is hoping to see a competitive series,” said Lara, who scored 34 Test centuries.