West Indies currently hold the Botham-Richards Trophy after they beat England 1-0 in the Caribbean in 2022, a tour for which Anderson was dropped. But they have not won a Test series in England since 1988.

Roach believes that they are building an attack to do so, especially given Shamar Joseph’s stunning emergence on the tour of Australia in January – when they won at the Gabba. Jayden Seales is the leading wicket-taker in Division Two with Sussex this season, while Jason Holder has performed commendably for Worcestershire and Alzarri Joseph has pace to burn, too.

“It’s a very highly talented and skilful group,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s the best in my time, it could be! Tough to say, Shannon Gabriel has been very good for us as well. This group is pretty skilful. Shamar Joseph is still young, only played two Test matches, but he’s had a really good start.

“[We have] that X-factor. I think we always want to have that X-factor in the team. We had it with Shannon Gabriel for a couple of years and myself. But with Shamar and Jayden Seales now, Alzarri as well they have added a lot of X-factor. On any given day they can have a great spell and be devastating. That is what you want. You just want it as consistent as possible to have those great days. It’s cricket so every day is not a given. To have three guys like that in the team, a captain to have that to select, for any given day or any given surface.

“It’s good to see it [young bowlers emerging]. Physically, it’s hard. But it’s good to see young guys coming in. It gives you energy, the way they’re active, and get around. The energy in the dressing-room is good. It makes you feel like kind of a kid again. That’s good for a guy of my age. I don’t feel old, but physically… I’m happy to see those guys come in with their excitement and exuberance.

“As a group we are pretty confident. England is always our biggest series. We play the most Test matches against England. We want to put up a good fight, put on a good show. We haven’t won a Test series in England for quite a while so it is good to come with some confidence, and hopefully we can do it this time.”

Nottingham beat Lancashire despite Hurst’s maiden century

At Trent Bridge, despite the best efforts of Matthew Hurst, the Lancashire wicketkeeper who scored his maiden first-class hundred, Nottinghamshire secured victory by nine wickets, with captain Haseeb Hameed’s 24 not out meaning he spent every ball of the match on the field. In the first innings, Hameed carried his bat for 247 not out against his former county. The result leaves Lancashire bottom, by 13 points.