*Official* England in West Indies

[garage flower]

Solid summary. But no way should Pollard, E Crandon & Sammy be in consideration for test match cricket.

Who is Wallace BTW??

Think that's a bit harsh on Sammy, even if he is fairly limited. Seems to be a really wholehearted cricketer; not a trait to be underestimated given the oft-publicised "attitudinal" problems afflicting various members of the current Windies set-up.

You're probably spot on with the other two, though.

Wallace has been the standout spinner in the first couple of rounds of domestic matches - he's a Jamaican leggie.

 

[garage flower]

There was no Dw Bravo in the summary, isn't he supposed to be fit for these... and if he isn't would like to see Devon Smith slot in the middle order in place for Marhsall, people like Da. Bravo and Richards are too inexperienced and not accomplished enough.

As Roseboy suggests, it seems extremely unlikely that Dwayne Bravo will be fit for the first test. Think he would really have needed to play for Trinidad this week.

I haven't seen Dale Richards and would be concerned about his propensity to get out a lot in the fifties and sixties, but he should be considered a live contender given his consistency in the first class arena and the lack of quality alternatives. That said, I'd lean towards Devon Smith at the top of the innings. With Smith in the middle order, who would you have opening?

 

[Uppercut]

Think that's a bit harsh on Sammy, even if he is fairly limited. Seems to be a really wholehearted cricketer; not a trait to be underestimated given the oft-publicised "attitudinal" problems afflicting various members of the current Windies set-up.

You're probably spot on with the other two, though.

Wallace has been the standout spinner in the first couple of rounds of domestic matches - he's a Jamaican leggie.

It's not like Darren Sammy can't take wickets against this England lineup. On debut.

 

[garage flower]

It's not like Darren Sammy can't take wickets against this England lineup. On debut.

Exactly. Although you wouldn't say he was generally likely to take a 5-for or make a 50, the fact is that he's capable of contributing with bat, ball and in the field and I'm sure he's the type of character who lifts the dressing room.

If the selectors don't fancy any of the specialist spin options, I'd like to see Sammy in the team at 8.

 

[garage flower]

Can we "sticky" this thread now?

 

[Jigga988]

As Roseboy suggests, it seems extremely unlikely that Dwayne Bravo will be fit for the first test. Think he would really have needed to play for Trinidad this week.

I haven't seen Dale Richards and would be concerned about his propensity to get out a lot in the fifties and sixties, but he should be considered a live contender given his consistency in the first class arena and the lack of quality alternatives. That said, I'd lean towards Devon Smith at the top of the innings. With Smith in the middle order, who would you have opening?

Not sure, toying with the idea of Nash coming in to open and I wouldn't mind seeeing Ryan Hinds in contention for a place, probobly cant open but better than seeing him way down the order. Either way, wouldn't mind if Chatergoon and Marshall are replaced with Smith and Hinds, not sure where either will bat, just think Smith'll get more runs in middle order rather than opening.

 

[superkingdave]

Shouldn't this thread be stickied now? given that the players are already there and it starts before the NZ-Aus and Ind in SL ODI series whose threads has been stickied for a few days.

Anyway, fixtures still show England XI for Sundays game, 2 FC warmups for a tour? surely somethings amiss there?

 

[NUFAN]

What bothers me is our bowlers strike rates. 56.2, 58.7, 58.9, 64.8, 68.1 and 83.3.

Ideally we would want something like Steyn 38.2, Ntini 52.2, Morkel 53.8

I think Test bowlers should have a strike rate of under 55.0. All rounders usually have a strike rate in the 60s and I wonder if a team can afford two bowling all rounders.

I don't think that the first three numbers you've mentioned are bad at all. Some notable bowlers with a SR over 55 include: Andy Roberts, Ian Botham, Shane Warne, Courtney Walsh and Shaun Pollock.

 

[Uppercut]

I don't think that the first three numbers you've mentioned are bad at all. Some notable bowlers with a SR over 55 include: Andy Roberts, Ian Botham, Shane Warne, Courtney Walsh and Shaun Pollock.

But when your whole attack has a SR over 55 it becomes a problem when trying to force a result.

 

[roseboy64]

Shouldn't this thread be stickied now? given that the players are already there and it starts before the NZ-Aus and Ind in SL ODI series whose threads has been stickied for a few days.

Anyway, fixtures still show England XI for Sundays game, 2 FC warmups for a tour? surely somethings amiss there?

Not sure the first match is FC but definitely a warmup.

 

[FBU]

I don't think that the first three numbers you've mentioned are bad at all. Some notable bowlers with a SR over 55 include: Andy Roberts, Ian Botham, Shane Warne, Courtney Walsh and Shaun Pollock.

but they had other bowlers in the team who did have lower s/rs, Donald 47.0, McGrath 51.9, Marshall 46.7. Our whole team are over 55.0 so we don't really have a strike bowler. All rounders and spinners are expected to have higher strike rates usually in the sixties.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Oh ffs the idiots at Cricinfo writing about Monty 'recovering his form' again.

It's nowt to do with form, he's just a piss poor option and always has been.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Here's a classic bit from Mushtaq. Wonder how much of a back-hander he got for this one:

"But after Pakistan played against England in England [in 2006], they told me he was the most difficult bowler to face; the Indians said that same thing"

Yea must be really tough facing a bowler that has averaged over 50 against you in each of the 3 series so far.

 

[Manee]

Here's a classic bit from Mushtaq. Wonder how much of a back-hander he got for this one:

"But after Pakistan played against England in England [in 2006], they told me he was the most difficult bowler to face; the Indians said that same thing"

Yea must be really tough facing a bowler that has averaged over 50 against you in each of the 3 series so far.

Perhaps, heaven forbid, there is more to cricket than statistics. Perhaps, heaven forbid, that the people playing know more than you about the people they are playing against.

 

[Beamer]

Windies squad for 1st test:

Chris Gayle (c)
Dale Richards
Devon Smith
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Xavier Marshall
Brendan Nash
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Denesh Ramdin (wk)
Amit Jaggernauth
Suliemann Benn
Jerome Taylor
Fidel Edwards
Darren Powell
Lional Baker

Ryan Hinds makes 240, averages 45 in regional cricket, bowls tidy left arm spin and yet he still can't make it. I hate our selectors.

 

[Jigga988]

Windies squad for 1st test:

Chris Gayle (c)
Dale Richards
Devon Smith
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Xavier Marshall
Brendan Nash
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Denesh Ramdin (wk)
Amit Jaggernauth
Suliemann Benn
Jerome Taylor
Fidel Edwards
Darren Powell
Lional Baker

Ryan Hinds makes 240, averages 45 in regional cricket, bowls tidy left arm spin and yet he still can't make it. I hate our selectors.

No chatergoon, going to be Richards and Dev Smith for the openers spot, Baker will probobly play despite not being test class and Powell being ten times better than him. Jaggernauth must get spinners spot... hoping Dev Smith can open. Agree, no way Hinds should be out that spuad... thats a joke call

 

[roseboy64]

The team was picked this morning before 11AM Re: Hinds.

 

[roseboy64]

Guessing from that:

Gayle
Richards
Sarwan
Nash
Chanderpaul
Smith
Ramdin
Taylor
Edwards
Powell
Jaggernauth

 

[Beamer]

Apparently the chairman of selectors said there is still a chance for some people to make the cut, and he was quite keen for that message to be received, so I'm pretty sure Ryan Hinds will get called up after his latest performance.

 

[roseboy64]

So Marshall needs a ton in the second innings then and Benn needs some wickets.