The West Indies‘ batting coach, Welshman Toby Radford, insists England remain favourites for the Test series despite their heavy defeat in Barbados.

The Windies turned in an inspired performance at the Kensington Oval, celebrating a 381-run victory after comprehensively outperforming the tourists in every discipline.

It was a sharp comedown for Joe Root’s team, who arrived in the Caribbean ranked second in the world – with the home side languishing in eighth – and with eight wins from their previous nine Tests.

And Radford, the former Middlesex and Glamorgan coach who has mentored many of the current crop of West Indies internationals, does not believe the balance of power has flipped after one four-day thrashing.

“We are still the underdogs,” he claimed.

“We are playing one of the best sides in the world and if you look at the world rankings we are quite a long way down. England were on quite a good run until last week but we have a lot of good performers and you can’t take us lightly.”

Radford expects changes in the opposition ranks but is more interested in the West Indies’ preparations than the finer details of England selection.

“There may be pressure on one or two places, they might juggle their pack a little bit,” he said.

“But we have to concentrate on ourselves, these boys have to be in the same frame of mind. I’ve read a lot that England didn’t turn up or England were poor, but sometimes you’re made to be poor.

“We maybe didn’t get the credit but that doesn’t matter, we’ve got to go and do it all again.”

Provided by Press Association Sport