England hoping to end losing streak

England hopes to end a lengthy losing streak when the five-match one-day international series against West Indies begins at National Stadium today.

England has been winless in 13 internationals this winter - two Tests and five one-dayers in India and five Tests and last Sunday's Twenty20 International match against West Indies. 

The English were competitive in the Test series, losing 1-0 after just failing to complete victories in the third and fifth Tests. 

But the heavy six-wicket defeat in the Twenty20 International match in Trinidad was deflating. 

"The Twenty20 defeat was a bitter pill to swallow as much as anything because of the way we played in that game - it wasn't the type of cricket we wanted to play," said England captain Andrew Strauss, who passed a fitness test on Thursday. 

"This is a new series and it's important from our point of view that it's not all doom and gloom. We've played some very good cricket on this tour.” 

"All 11 of us need to stand up and show people what we can do and that's a great motivating factor - that feeling we need to show people what we're capable of doing." 

Chanderpaul receives Guyana's third-highest award 

West Indies captain Chris Gayle will also lead his team after a hamstring injury in the final Test just over a week ago. The powerful left-hander was keen to return to set the standard for the series. 

But two of the West Indian heroes of the first Test win over England in Jamaica last month are missing. Fast bowler Jerome Taylor, whose five-wicket burst skittled England for 51, missed out due to a calf strain while left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who took eight wickets in that match, was replaced by fellow left-arm spinner Nikita Miller. 

The match will be an emotional one for hometown heroes Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. 

Sarwan was named Player of the Test series and Player of last Sunday's match. 

"I have been working really hard and I am seeing the results," Sarwan said. "We have been working hard as a team and the signs of improvement are there. We want to go from strength to strength." 

Chanderpaul received a special motorcade from the airport with his wife and son in honor of his being named 2008 International Cricketer of the Year and Guyana sports personality. 

Then, in front of both teams, he received Guyana's third-highest award, the Cacique Crown of Honour, from President Bharrat Jagdeo, who described him as an outstanding citizen and a role model for all kids.