*Official* England in West Indies

[haroon510]

What a way to start the series.. loved it.. i am supporting West indies.. so very please to see them win..

 

[Woodster]

As is the case when these horrendous defeats come around, there will be much speculation and possible over-reaction to what has taken place. It was poor from England, but also brilliant from Taylor to rip the absolute heart out of the England line-up.

I am trying not to speculate about all these changes that should be made because realistically there will be one or two changes max made for the second Test, and with three games still to go, the bulk of this squad may still go on to impress and win the series.

That is not to say I hope they brush this defeat under the carpet and simply put it down to one of those days! Excellent bowling from Taylor, but poor footwork from a few of the top order, did Bell really need to play an expansive cut short in the final over before lunch ? And Cook continues to hang the bat outside the off stump with no great feet or purpose.

 

[ozone]

Please. Someone tell me please? What was the Beefy situation?

I think it was just Beefy talking about what the mood in the English camp was like and Bish was simply telling him he didn't know what was going on and shouldn't try and guess. Except in quite a mellow, West Indian way.

I'm not sure it was that big a thing TBH, so I wouldn't worry about having missed it.

 

[Jigga988]

if the windies prepare similar pitches then england will get whitewashed.

Doubt it, not sure whether Benn's performance was an one off, maybe Mr M can provide an insight in to that, every international performance from Benn prior to this one was absolutely shocking so not sure...

 

[Nate]

Usain Bolt there. Awesome.

 

[cowboysfan]

is that usain bolt?

 

[krkode]

That was almost eerily similar to the last time these two teams played at Sabina Park. Granted, now we've seen a dramatic reversal of roles.

 

[wpdavid]

As is the case when these horrendous defeats come around, there will be much speculation and possible over-reaction to what has taken place. It was poor from England, but also brilliant from Taylor to rip the absolute heart out of the England line-up.

I am trying not to speculate about all these changes that should be made because realistically there will be one or two changes max made for the second Test, and with three games still to go, the bulk of this squad may still go on to impress and win the series.

That is not to say I hope they brush this defeat under the carpet and simply put it down to one of those days! Excellent bowling from Taylor, but poor footwork from a few of the top order, did Bell really need to play an expansive cut short in the final over before lunch ? And Cook continues to hang the bat outside the off stump with no great feet or purpose.

As we only saw fit to bring 2 openers to the WI (symptomatic of our complacency?) obv Cook stays. Bell looks the likeliest to go, and can have few complaints. Swann should come in for Panesar, whose entire game seems to be regressing. Anderson should come in, probably for Sidebottom. None of that will make us world-beaters, but this has been on the cards for years and there is now absolutely nothing to be gained by sticking with these guys. Cook, Collingwood & Harmison's places can be reviewed at the start of the home series.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Doubt it, not sure whether Benn's performance was an one off, maybe Mr M can provide an insight in to that, every international performance from Benn prior to this one was absolutely shocking so not sure...

I only saw a little bit of his second innings bowling, but in the first innings he was very impressive. I didn't rate him at all before this match, but he's proven that he can bowl when the conditions are favourable. Hopefully he can apply some of the tools in less encouraging conditions though.

 

[kingkallis]

Who is that other lad with Gayle? Some basketball star or something?

 

[wpdavid]

When does the 2nd test start?

 

[kingkallis]

Usain Bolt there. Awesome.

Thanks mate. So the fastest man came to see the game, thats cool!

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Even by English standards that was painful to watch. I better not go near any sharp objects for a few days!

 

[Woodster]

As we only saw fit to bring 2 openers to the WI (symptomatic of our complacency?) obv Cook stays. Bell looks the likeliest to go, and can have few complaints. Swann should come in for Panesar, whose entire game seems to be regressing. Anderson should come in, probably for Sidebottom. None of that will make us world-beaters, but this has been on the cards for years and there is now absolutely nothing to be gained by sticking with these guys. Cook, Collingwood & Harmison's places can be reviewed at the start of the home series.

There are options to change the side for this series. As you say only two openers suggest Strauss and Cook will see the series out, however, I hope that would be the case anyway.
Bell does seem the likeliest to go, despite being a fan of his, Shah's chance must be closer than ever, and should he get in, he deserves a decent run in which to cement a place in the side for some time.

Swann may come in for Panesar, and less likely, imo, Anderson may be brought in. Would be typical of England though after a Test that has clearly highlighted certain batting deficiencies to then drop two bowlers and a solitary batsman. Not that the bowlers were faultless by any stretch.

 

[aussie]

WI should definately bring in Simmonds. With Marshall either given one more chance to open (because he clearly aint good enough to bat @ 4) or Dale Richards if fit because Smith has had enough chances.

 

[andruid]

if the windies prepare similar pitches then england will get whitewashed.

Blackwash

 

[JBH001]

Interestingly, the kid who was being slaughtered on CW for being picked here was one of the few guys to do himself justice in this game.

You mean Broad? Tbh, I always liked the look of him - although I have seen only a little of his play since the England tour of NZ last summer. I thought he was a good prospect though, if he worked hard and was not built up into something he is not. I am pretty pleased he took 5 wickets too, was hoping he would after his 3 wicket bag earlier. Wished he had scored a few more runs, although, from the looks of it, it would have been more boy stood on the burning deck a la Flintoff.

 

[wpdavid]

Blackwash

Nash might have something to say about that.

 

[ozone]

Would be typical of England though after a Test that has clearly highlighted certain batting deficiencies to then drop two bowlers and a solitary batsman. Not that the bowlers were faultless by any stretch.

Whilst it does perhaps seem unfair, selection will be dictated by how the squad was selected. Essentially, we've got two spinners who shouldn't be as good as our primary spinner but do provide much more beyond this, a spare wicket-keeper who is unlikely to play until the final test, an inconsistent swing bowler who has been the most consistent bowler over the past 12 months and a batsman who has been waiting for an opportunity for 2 years. So although we might want to change the batting, we haven't really got the chance to do so.

 

[andruid]

Nash might have something to say about that.

I am conferring on him Honourary Blackness.