Expect a run-fest at draw-prone Lord's

The Ashes may be the showcase event of the season, but before England take a crack at Australia, they have the not-so-insignificant task trying to regain the Wisden Trophy after West Indies wrested it with a 1-0 series win a couple of months back. For all West Indian fans that win has raised hopes of a revival of West Indian fortunes, but for that to happen the team will have to perform well consistently overseas, a task they've struggled to achieve over the last year years. The last time they won an overseas series against meaningful opposition was in 1994-95, against New Zealand. The last time they won a series in England was way back in 1988; since then they've drawn two series and lost the last three. (Click here for all England-West Indies series in England since 1990.)

England have their own house to set in order before the Ashes, and a comprehensive win against West Indies will be just the right boost for Andrew Strauss and Co before the Australians arrive.

Historically, West Indies have won more than they have lost against England, but the gap is narrowing, especially in Tests in England: the Windies have had a dismal time here of late, losing ten of the last 13, including three out of four in their last series, in 2007.

Most of the West Indian batsmen have struggled to cope with the swing and seam of England recently, but the one player who has been the glorious exception is Shivnarine Chanderpaul, with more than 1000 runs in England in 11 Tests, at a superb average of nearly 78. He has scored at least a half-century in each of his last five innings.

The rest haven't even managed half his average: Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan both average in the mid-to-late 30s.

England's batsmen have fared much better against West Indies, which is exactly what you'd expect against a bowling attack which has lost much of its ferocity. The only batsman with disappointing stats is their captain, Strauss, who averages less than 35.

Among England's bowlers in the current squad, only two have played West Indies at home. One of them, Monty Panesar, has especially enjoyed himself, with three five-wicket hauls in four Tests.

The venue for the first Test will offer plenty of cheer for the batsmen: the last six Tests have all been drawn, with West Indies being involved in one of them, in 2007. (Click here for all results at Lord's since 2000.)

The innings-wise runs-per-wicket stats indicate how easy the conditions here have been for batsmen over the last three years: in the first innings teams average almost 60 per wicket, and while it drops significantly in the second innings, teams have managed to bat long in their second try as well, suggesting that the pitch stays excellent throughout the entire duration of the game.

As you'd expect, almost all the current England batsmen have relished playing here. Paul Collingwood averages 45.33, and his average is the lowest of the lot among the top order.

Among the bowlers, Anderson has been among the wickets, with two five-wicket hauls in five matches. Panesar has one five-for too, against West Indies in 2007, but Stuart Broad has found wicket-taking far more difficult here.

As the table below indicates, there hasn't been much joy for pace bowlers or for spinners during this period.