Plunkett illness could open door for Curran

Liam Plunkett has emerged as a doubt ahead of the final ODI of the series between West Indies and England.

Plunkett, the top wicket-taker in the series, was unable to train on Wednesday with what was described as "an upset stomach."

While the England camp hope he will recover in time to take his place in the side - he has, after all, taken seven wickets in the two matches to date at a cost of 10.28 apiece - his absence could open the door for a return for Jake Ball or a debut for Tom Curran.

Curran, who was called up to join the rest of the squad after Ball sustained a knee injury during the warm-up games in St Kitts, would appear the more like-for-like replacement with some batting skill to complement his seam bowling. But Ball was probably a first choice player going into the series and looked in good rhythm in the nets on Wednesday.

It says much for the gentle nature of this Caribbean tour that the most uncomfortable moment to date came in a press conference ahead of the final game when Jason Roy was confronted by the suggestion that England's decision to take the day-off on Tuesday was a sign of their lack of respect for their opponents.

It's not, of course. It's a sign of England's never-ending schedule and the fact that they currently find themselves staying in an island that bears a pretty strong comparison to paradise. If young men are going to be expected to travel and work together for the best part of 300 days a year, they require down time as much as they require training.

Training on Wednesday was cut short by showers, though. And while the series is settled, England are keen to sustain the winning habit with only six ODIs to play before their Champions Trophy begins.

There is personal pride at stake, too. Jos Buttler has endured a quiet couple of months, while Alex Hales will want to repay the faith shown in him with a confidence-boosting performance. Roy, meanwhile, is keen to convert more of his starts (he has made two half-centuries in three innings on this tour without reaching 80) into the sort of commanding performances that win games.

Paul Collingwood, England's team and fielding coach on this tour and captain of the side that won the World T20 in here in 2010 described Roy's strength as "ridiculous" and "frightening".

"Personally I want to be known as a guy who is going to win matches and score big hundreds," Roy, said. "I want to be that solid guy at the top of the order. Yes, you can make quick 50s and 60s every now and then but big hundreds are at the forefront of my mind to be honest.

"As far as we're concerned it is a big game in Barbados. We want to make it 3-0. We don't aim for medicroity. We want the best."