Graves warns England must beat 'mediocre' Windies

ColinGravescropped

Incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves has warned questions will be asked if England fail to beat a "mediocre" West Indies in the upcoming Test series.

England will next month start a three-match Test series against a Windies side who have are down to eighth in the ICC rankings.

Graves will replace Giles Clarke on May 15 and does not expect to start his reign by having to hold an inquest following sub-standard performances in the Caribbean.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "I'd certainly be disappointed if we don't win the West Indies series, because I am pretty sure the West Indies are going to have a mediocre team.

"A lot of their stars are going to be playing in the Indian Premier League anyway, not in the Tests, so we should win that series.

"If we don't win, I can tell you now there will be some enquiries of why we haven't."

Alastair Cook's side will take on New Zealand in two Tests on home soil when they return from the Caribbean before they attempt to regain The Ashes.

Graves expects the Black Caps to provide a stern test ahead of what he knows will be a difficult task of taking on Australia.

He added: "New Zealand will be a big challenge. They are a good team, they will have some people coming back from the IPL so that might help us, but I'd like to win the New Zealand series.

"If we draw 1-1, it's acceptable, but if we end up losing it, again it would be very disappointing.

"The Ashes will be a massive challenge, Australia are on a high with some fantastic players coming through. That is going to be a massive, tough series and it isn't going to be easy."

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