FORMER captain Andrew Flintoff has challenged his team to prove their bond is strong by coming from behind to win the Caribbean Test series.
England are amid preparations for the second Test starting tomorrow, having put the crushing innings defeat at Sabina Park behind them.
West Indies highlighted their own recent improvement during the match in Jamaica, playing with a discipline missing from their displays for a decade or more.
So it is going to be a huge ask for Andrew Strauss’ side; for all their insistence they are a happy camp, there have been numerous off-field distractions and rumours of fraught relationships in the aftermath of Peter Moores’ departure as coach.
“The spirit’s been good but maybe we need to draw on each other a little bit more,” Flintoff countered. “Help your mates out, help each other to try and make the side successful.
“We have all the ingredients of a successful side and we have to put them all together.
“That’s going to be the test for people, when you go through something like that you still have to back yourself and that’s going to be the big test of character.
“You can talk about technique and work in the nets but it is all about how people respond to what’s happened. It’s very important we come back strong in this next Test.”
Moores has been confirmed as Lancashire’s new head coach.
Moores was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board last month following the breakdown of his relationship with captain Pietersen, who stepped down.
Moores, who forged his reputation in the domestic game during a successful spell with Sussex, has signed a three-year contract with the Red Rose county.
Moores said: “I feel very excited and privileged to be given the opportunity to work for the county I grew up supporting, and look forward to meeting the players and working alongside (director of cricket) Mike Watkinson to bring success to the club.”
Meanwhile, Worcestershire are confident paceman Simon Jones will be fit and available for the start of the new domestic season in April.
Jones, one of England’s 2005 Ashes heroes, underwent major knee surgery but may come back into the Ashes reckoning if he impresses.
