England look set to make at least three changes for Friday's must-win final Test in Trinidad despite Andrew Strauss's determination to keep an open mind about tactics.

Strauss's men are leaving Barbados with the draw which became the height of their ambitions once West Indies racked up 749 for nine in reply to 600 for six. And at least opener Alastair Cook can take satisfaction from a stalemate which produced 1,628 runs for the loss of only 17 wickets, having scored his first century in 14 months.

But now the onus is on England to go for broke in the Fifth Test in Trinidad as they attempt to save a series which West Indies have led since routing the visitors for 51 in Jamaica.

Unless the pitch in Port of Spain on Friday is totally different to any other seen in the Caribbean this winter, Strauss will be forced to plump for an extra bowler in the hope that five can do what four failed to achieve in Antigua and Barbados.

That must mean an instant recall for wicket-keeper Matt Prior, who missed the Fourth Test through paternity leave. Despite Tim Ambrose's enterprising innings of 76 not out at Kensington Oval, Prior is better equipped to bat as a 'specialist' at No 6 with either Owais Shah or Ravi Bopara missing out.

And on top of including a second spinner - left-armer Monty Panesar or even uncapped 'leggie' Adil Rashid - England will surely turn in hope, once again, to fast bowler Steve Harmison, rather than stick with the so far ineffective Ryan Sidebottom.

"We need to take 20 wickets in Trinidad - how we do that is the question," said Strauss after his team had batted out the final day in Barbados before calling a halt on 279 for two. "Playing five bowlers is definitely an option."

England have failed to capture 20 wickets in any of their five Tests this winter - against India and West Indies - but Strauss is not prepared to prejudge what awaits in Trinidad.

"It would be wrong for us to assume it is just going to be a flat wicket again on Friday," he said. "Hopefully it won't be and there will be a bit more in it, in which case it will be a different game.

"Each surface gives you a new opportunity to react to what is there and find a way of taking those wickets."

Despite England getting down to West Indies' last pair in Antigua, the pitches for both Third and Fourth Tests were too batsman-friendly.

"As players we all want to see result pitches that are fair," said Strauss. "I appreciate that is a difficult balance for a groundsman to come to but those are the pitches that produce the best cricket.

"All of the pitches we have played on this winter, both sides have struggled to take wickets, so it is not something which is unique to our side

"None of the options we tried had a huge amount of success in Barbados but hopefully you learn from it and, on a pitch that behaves slightly differently, those options and perfecting those options may stand you in good stead."

Jerome Taylor, England's destroyer in the second innings of the First Test, was restricted to just four overs due to an ankle injury yesterday but West Indies insist he will be fine for Trinidad.