**Official** Australia in West Indies

[LongHopCassidy]

It's not ideal by any means and I don't like it myself (argued Hogg iirc for Perth). As a rule if you have a good fourth seamer and a spinner that's around his level you go the spinner, IMO. But here there's no indication that Casson will be anywhere near Bollinger's level and I don't want to find out in a Test match either and a live one at that! Casson's about to become the Steve Bradbury of Australian cricket...yikes!

By Steve Bradbury's gold medal do you mean an Australian Test berth? Cause otherwise I wouldn't mind seeing Sarwan and Chanderpaul colliding mid-pitch.

In any case, there's no guarantee that Bollinger will have maintained his form from the 2007-08 domestic season. If he has, one can only assume the same for Casson - and I'd rather err on the side of variety if pace isn't the answer in this Test.

 

[Mister Wright]

I've always been of the opinion you pick your four best bowlers whether it be two spinners or four pacemen. However, the Australian selectors have never held my opinion in high regard.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

What if your best four bowlers are spinners? Deep, I know.

 

[silentstriker]

What if your best four bowlers are spinners? Deep, I know.

Then you bemoan your lack of actual bowlers while playing four pace bowlers anyway.

 

[Mister Wright]

What if your best four bowlers are spinners? Deep, I know.

So be it. Ganguly can open the bowling.

 

[brockley]

Chris gayle comments


'Gayle was surprised by Ricky Ponting's comments in the immediate aftermath of the second Test, when his opposing skipper stated Australia's bowling attack had "come back to the pack".

The West Indies captain agreed Australia needed more from their third seamer and specialist spinner, and issued a challenge to Beau Casson in the process.

"[Ponting] must know why he made that comment but we are not taking anything for granted," Gayle said.'

 

[NUFAN]

I was waiting for my fish and chips today, when Matt Hayden walks in.

TBH I spent my meal thinking more about his career than what my girlfriend was talking about, ah well.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

That's entirely normal...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

With Chattergoon back into the squad, and Smith and Pachment out, I'd expect (and hope for):

CH Gayle*
S Chattergoon
RR Sarwan
XM Marshall
S Chanderpaul
DJ Bravo
D Ramdin+
DJG Sammy
JE Taylor
DB Powell
FH Edwards

That's the best team of the squad of 14 that they've picked. It's entirely dire that Jaggernauth has been discarded and yet Benn remains with the squad. The selectors are idiots with no respect for spin bowling. Jaggernauth >>> Benn.

Kemar Roach is also in the squad, but despite how dire Powell is usually, I hope he doesn't get close to the team. Runako Morton needs to retire.

 

[roseboy64]

Would play Benn over Powell but that depends on the picth. Otherwise, agreed.

 

[Jakester1288]

I am looking forward to this test match tbh.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Would play Benn over Powell but that depends on the picth. Otherwise, agreed.

I don't rate Benn at all in Tests. And the pitch in Barbados hasn't suggested that two front line seamers is a good idea.

 

[Athlai]

Do the Windies have anyone better than Powell? Taylor and Edwards are pure class, but Powell seems to fire only when the mood takes him, he often looks so dreadful.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Jason Bennett has potential. As do Ravi Rampaul and Deighton Butler. Rampaul is still very raw though. Bennett is presently the most potent of the lot, but Butler is very steady and consistent. Would do better than Powell, most likely, as he doesn't tend to leak runs. Sadly, the best West Indian seam bowler presently is now a Kolpak player. Pedro Collins of Surrey. And then there's the in-form Corey Collymore of Sussex.

 

[Manee]

Feel a bit sorry for him really as he is simply doing what everyone is telling him: bowl an inswinger or your useless. IMO he shouldn't be trying to do too much, but he has to get close to the stumps and that way he can still get LBW's without needing to move it much. I don't know why they're changing his whole action when all he has to do is improve his runup.

It is bad advice given from numerous sources. You say 'improve his run up' but no drastic change his required. He simply needs to mature and refine his accuracy and bounce - variations will come with time and practice in the nets; something that will come with time and hard work.

 

[The Masterplan]

With Chattergoon back into the squad, and Smith and Pachment out, I'd expect (and hope for):

CH Gayle*
S Chattergoon
RR Sarwan
XM Marshall
S Chanderpaul
DJ Bravo
D Ramdin+
DJG Sammy
JE Taylor
DB Powell
FH Edwards

That's the best team of the squad of 14 that they've picked. It's entirely dire that Jaggernauth has been discarded and yet Benn remains with the squad. The selectors are idiots with no respect for spin bowling. Jaggernauth >>> Benn.

Kemar Roach is also in the squad, but despite how dire Powell is usually, I hope he doesn't get close to the team. Runako Morton needs to retire.

Why on earth would you put Chattergoon in for Devon Smith? he's not the greatest opener in the world but IMO he's a damn site better than Chatergoon

I agree that Runako Morton needs to improve his shot selection on occasions.. but he's not that bad

BTW.. whatever happened to Pedro Collins? I think he might offer something different to the attack rather than just 5 right armed seam bowlers?!

 

[Nate]

Collins is in England atm I believe. And Smith has been dire this series, whereas Chattergoon has shown promise on practically every occasion. I know as an Aussie fan, I'd much rather the Windies play Smith.

 

[Prince EWS]

Why on earth would you put Chattergoon in for Devon Smith? he's not the greatest opener in the world but IMO he's a damn site better than Chatergoon

Even ignoring the fact that I couldn't disagree more with that assessment if I tried, Devon Smith has been dropped from the squad for Chattergoon. The selectors have already done the work for us on that front. I struggle to see why he didn't retain his place ahead of Morton other than the fact that he's an opener, though.

 

[The Masterplan]

Even ignoring the fact that I couldn't disagree more with that assessment if I tried, Devon Smith has been dropped from the squad for Chattergoon. The selectors have already done the work for us on that front. I struggle to see why he didn't retain his place ahead of Morton other than the fact that he's an opener, though.

Devon Smith is a Legend IMO

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Devon Smith is a Legend IMO

Dire.

You, not Smith. I'm a Devon Smith fan.