James Anderson, Stuart Broad's absence not a big advantage for us: West Indies head coach Phil Simmons

Team England will have a point to prove as they take on hosts West Indies in a three-match Test series, starting on March 8. England’s last Test assignment saw them suffering a 0-4 humiliation in the Ashes earlier this year. As numerous loopholes in the team were exposed, the England selectors have made some major calls for West Indies Tests.

Veteran pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been dropped for the series and hence, England will have to field a young and pretty much inexperienced bowling unit. With Anderson and Broad being two of England’s highest wicket-taker in Tests, many reckon their absence will give West Indies a major boost. However, the home team’s head coach Phil Simmons is not of the same opinion.

West Indies can’t afford to get complacent against England: Phil Simmons

“You can call it an advantage but again, no Broad, no Anderson, we keep harping on that. But when you don’t have the experience, you have young fellas having to make their name and that is something that you have to guard against too. For me, you can’t be looking at that and saying well look, that’s a big advantage because then you tend to get complacent and you tend to get found out early,” Simmons was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Meanwhile, England’s last visit to West Indies wasn’t memorable as the home team thrashed them by 2-1 in the Test series. Simmons reckons that his side has all the chances to replicate their heroics if runs are posted on the board.

“I think the last time England were here, and we beat them, the opening pair was Kraigg and John Campbell. So let’s hope that’s a good omen for us, because they are back together and they gave the team some good starts. So that’s what we’ve been talking about, getting a good start and then making sure that the top four put things together and not leave it for the middle and lower order,” he added.