*Official* England in West Indies

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Probobly, but might not have been putting enough emphasis on Seth Efrica series. Samuels was solid enough in that series, it's just hard to tell whether that was him turning a corner or a purple patch, history would assume that it's a purple patch.

How many times has Samuels looked like he'd turned a corner of sorts? Bravo has throughout his career been a more consistent performer than Samuels has been. If Nash continues to perform, Bravo needs to come in for Marshall and Samuels needs to sit out. That is, if there's one spot available in the middle order, Bravo over Samuels every time.

Personally I don't think Bravo is best served batting above 6 in Tests, but he's certainly a heck of a better shot than Marshall there.

 

[Jigga988]

Sorry, perhaps I wasn't clear, I was assuming that they would both walk back into the side, but was just wondering who would drop out for them along with Marshall. Or would they not both walk back in?

The best West Indian side with all players fit - discounting kolpack's is:

Gayle
Bravo/Nash
Sarwan
Chanders
Samuels
Nash/Bravo
Ramdin
Taylor
a spinner of some sort
Powell
Edwards

 

[superkingdave]

Regarding the Warne/Broad or Mcgrath/Panesar question, the answer is obviously Warne/Broad, bat Warne at 8, leave Broad out and pick someone who can bowl.

WI still miles in front but if we can dislodge both of these soon we might limit their lead.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Barring a miraculous turnaround by Powell, West Indies best lineup is better served with 2 spinners + Taylor/Edwards.

 

[Jigga988]

Barring a miraculous turnaround by Powell, West Indies best lineup is better served with 2 spinners + Taylor/Edwards.

Would Ryan Hinds count as a spinner... if so then batting would be much strengthened.

 

[The Masterplan]

The best West Indian side with all players fit - discounting kolpack's is:

Gayle
Bravo/Nash
Sarwan
Chanders
Samuels
Nash/Bravo
Ramdin
Taylor
a spinner of some sort
Powell
Edwards

Gayle (c)
De Smith
W Hinds
Sarwan
Chanderpaul
Samuels
Bravo
Ramdin (wk)
Taylor
Powell
Edwards

IMO that is the West Indies side i would like to see take to the field, although realistically it will never happen, (particularly the Wavell Hinds bit).

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Bravo is not a specialist bowler. But if he's playing there, might as well include a spinner instead of Powell. Seems pretty obvious.

 

[Jigga988]

Gayle (c)
De Smith
W Hinds
Sarwan
Chanderpaul
Samuels
Bravo
Ramdin (wk)
Taylor
Powell
Edwards

IMO that is the West Indies side i would like to see take to the field, although realistically it will never happen, (particularly the Wavell Hinds bit).

Can understand Devon Smith but Wavell Hinds is a weird one... no spinner too except Gayle and Samuels

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Would Ryan Hinds count as a spinner... if so then batting would be much strengthened.

Ryan Hinds is probably as good as Benn, but I think that'd be selling short too, because neither are the best spinners in the region.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Can understand Devon Smith but Wavell Hinds is a weird one... no spinner too except Gayle and Samuels

If not for Kolpak/retirement, there's a much stronger case for Wavell Hinds than Devon Smith in the team.

 

[Jigga988]

Bravo is not a specialist bowler. But if he's playing there, might as well include a spinner instead of Powell. Seems pretty obvious.

How do you rate bravo's bowling in comparison to Powell's? I reckon Powell is slightly underrated but having said that Bravo is still probobly the better bowler out of the 2 which hardly speaks volumes for Powell.

 

[The Masterplan]

Can understand Devon Smith but Wavell Hinds is a weird one... no spinner too except Gayle and Samuels

I've always viewed him as a good player, a test average of 40 and a double hundred to his name can't make him that bad. He is a bit old i will admit.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

How do you rate bravo's bowling in comparison to Powell's? I reckon Powell is slightly underrated but having said that Bravo is still probobly the better bowler out of the 2 which hardly speaks volumes for Powell.

Underrated? Not at all. Powell is generally rated as a terrible fast bowler. The worst in Test cricket outside of Bangladesh right now. That's a very fair assessment.

And as for Bravo v Powell, Bravo is a better bowler, but that doesn't mean he's good enough to be taking a specialist slot.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I've always viewed him as a good player, a test average of 40 and a double hundred to his name can't make him that bad. He is a bit old i will admit.

You what? Wavell Hinds' Test average is nowhere near 40.

And he's younger than Dale Richards, who was set to debut in this match.

 

[The Masterplan]

You what? Wavell Hinds' Test average is nowhere near 40.

And he's younger than Dale Richards, who was set to debut in this match.

Sorry my mistake, it's 33.0 i think.

 

[superkingdave]

Hmm, don't know what Panesar's smiling about, he's bowled absolute dross.

Hope Flinners can break through with the NB

 

[The Masterplan]

You what? Wavell Hinds' Test average is nowhere near 40.

And he's younger than Dale Richards, who was set to debut in this match.

A few days younger than Dale Richards or something, he's certainly got a more credible test history anyway.

 

[shivfan]

Marshall is cack. England to get a 50 lead?

Hopefully, Dale Richards will be fit enough to replace Marshall for the second test....

 

[shivfan]

Ryan Hinds is probably as good as Benn, but I think that'd be selling short too, because neither are the best spinners in the region.

I would've said so before this match....

However, having said that, Benn did bowl well in the first innings, and his four-fer has earned him a run in the side.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I would've said so before this match....

However, having said that, Benn did bowl well in the first innings, and his four-fer has earned him a run in the side.

Benn bowled well, but in conditions that favoured spin. And don't bring up Panesar's comparatively poor figures. Needless to say, Panesar has not bowled well. But Benn is still a very average spin bowler at best.