***Official*** West Indies in Zimbabwe and South Africa

[archie mac]

Doubtful this early in the Test, because West Indies can collapse in the fourth innings like no other team.

Yeah I think the WIs will be happy with a 199 run lead

 

[Pup Clarke]

Jeffrey Dujon

Is he Steyn or going?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Not to mention the composition of the West Indies bowling attack. Taylor, Edwards and Powell aren't exactly fitness freaks known for their durability and willingness to bowl long spells. I don't normally buy into the bowler tiredess factor all that much but it'd apply here more than ever.

I'd actually single out Powell there. Seems to be the fittest of the bunch and bowled a good 9-over spell yesterday. Not something common for fast bowlers in this day and age. But yes, Gayle would much prefer to rest up his bowlers, especially considering there's still batting to be done on this pitch.

 

[roseboy64]

Only doubt i have with WI bowling in the 4th innings is the ability to get wickets when the opposing team locks up shop which I would expect SA to do and play for the draw.

 

[pup11]

Not to mention the composition of the West Indies bowling attack. Taylor, Edwards and Powell aren't exactly fitness freaks known for their durability and willingness to bowl long spells. I don't normally buy into the bowler tiredess factor all that much but it'd apply here more than ever.

Yeah i agree but lets hope West Indies don't get a bit ahead of themselves a throw away the brilliant advantage they have atm, they still need to bat well in their 2nd innings to set a mammoth target for the Proteas, anyways its been a very good effort from the Windies something that should give them the confidence of doing well on this tour and even in the future.
Anyways i hope South Africa are understanding the importance of Pollock, he is still their best bowler he might have gone down on pace but his accuracy still makes him a very good bowler and his batting is also an added bonus i would seriously like to see him making a comeback in the next test.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah i agree but lets hope West Indies don't get a bit ahead of themselves a throw away the brilliant advantage they have atm, they still need to bat well in their 2nd innings to set a mammoth target for the Proteas, anyways its been a very good effort from the Windies something that should give them the confidence of doing well on this tour and even in the future.
Anyways i hope South Africa are understanding the importance of Pollock, he is still their best bowler he might have gone down on pace but his accuracy still makes him a very good bowler and his batting is also an added bonus i would seriously like to see him making a comeback in the next test.

I agree that he should be in the side, but to say he's still their best bowler is perhaps stretching it a bit far. I'd certainly rate Ntini a better test bowler these days.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'd actually single out Powell there. Seems to be the fittest of the bunch and bowled a good 9-over spell yesterday. Not something common for fast bowlers in this day and age. But yes, Gayle would much prefer to rest up his bowlers, especially considering there's still batting to be done on this pitch.

The only question mark I have over Powell's fitness is how much his pace fluctuates from spell to spell. He always seemed to crank it up much quicker in ODIs and Twenty20 games which made me think he bowled within himself for fitness reasons in test cricket. He bowled some quick spells in the test series against England recently but he also bowled some relatively slow spells. His pace has been good througout in this test but I wouldn't really want to test that out over another day and a half or so of bowling.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The only question mark I have over Powell's fitness is how much his pace fluctuates from spell to spell. He always seemed to crank it up much quicker in ODIs and Twenty20 games which made me think he bowled within himself for fitness reasons in test cricket. He bowled some quick spells in the test series against England recently but he also bowled some relatively slow spells. His pace has been good througout in this test but I wouldn't really want to test that out over another day and a half or so of bowling.

He's been working on his fitness since his return against South Africa in the West Indies. Bennett King pointed it out then, though it was very obvious. He would start quick and aggressive and fall away. I'm not sure why he hasn't been able to improve to the required standard, but you'd think that between his improved West Indies regimen and his time at Hampshire, he would have.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Only doubt i have with WI bowling in the 4th innings is the ability to get wickets when the opposing team locks up shop which I would expect SA to do and play for the draw.

Barring Kallis, I think West Indies are more likely to get the South African batsmen out if they're not playing positively.

 

[roseboy64]

Maybe but just not sure.

 

[Prince EWS]

Barring Kallis, I think West Indies are more likely to get the South African batsmen out if they're not playing positively.

Prince?

 

[Josh]

Jeffrey Dujon

Is he Steyn or going?

Wow. I'm impressed.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Not my words unfortunately.

 

[Josh]

Prince?

The artist formerly known as?

 

[roseboy64]

What will he do?

 

[roseboy64]

Gayle that is.

 

[roseboy64]

Batting. Hmmm.........

 

[Beleg]

Correct decision.

Let's hope Gayle plays like he did in the first innings and scores a quick 60+.
Ideally, West Indies is looking for a lead of 500 here by lunch-time tommorrow.

Though anything over 400 should be enough.

 

[Beleg]

Steyn being taken to the cleaners.

 

[silentstriker]

Gayle's gone. A chase of less than 350 will be interesting. I must say though, I didn't think the WI had it in them to play like this in SA. Well done!