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England rarely tested in West Indies but Champions Trophy plans crystallise | Ali Martin

England backed their first-choice players in search of a whitewash and are not about to rip up a successful blueprint as they chase a maiden global 50-over titleEngland depart the Caribbean with a largely unruffled 3-0 win over West Indies tucked in the back pocket and while, like the Roman soldiers in Monty Python’s Life of Brian proudly holding up a spoon, they may have unearthed few discoveries, the tour has returned the side to winning ways after India and means plans for June’s Champions Trophy have crystallised a touch more.Ripping up the blueprint before a global tournament has been an English tradition (only once, in the 2010 World Twenty20, did that not end in tears) but the captain, Eoin...

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England’s Ben Stokes takes guard in hostile West Indies territory | Vic Marks

The all-rounder was smashed to all parts by Carlos Brathwaite in the World Twenty20 final and the Caribbean fans are unlikely to let him forget it in a hurryThe first of three one-day internationals between West Indies and England takes place in Antigua on Friday. For one of the teams the Champions Trophy, which is being held in Birmingham, Cardiff and London in June, looms large. This is a good time for preparation.England have hosted the Champions Trophy twice in the past 13 years – in 2004 and 2013 they were runners-up at the Oval and Edgbaston, respectively, after they had seemed well-placed to win both games – and somehow they are the hosts again in 2017. Related: Sam Curran...

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