*Official* West Indies In Australia

[pasag]

And Watson struggling for form?

In Tests - Started off well against England, before coming here and playing very, very well vs Pakistan (who most rate a world class bowling attack, remember Aamir decimating the Australian side at the MCG by any chance with only Watto standing up amongst the carnage?).

And let's look at his ODI form...

Brilliant in India, two centuries in the Champions trophy final, in fact if you can find a hole in his ODI career to date I'd love to see it. He's been consistently making runs in ODIs against everyone for quite a few years now.

And Bollinger being a flat track bully?

Dominates the Australian domestic scene, does awesomely on all tour matches, then finally gets his chance in itnls and does brilliantly as well. If there's any evidence of him likely becoming a flat track bully I'd love to see it.

 

[pasag]

Yes i'm pissed off about the Windies that's obvious but i would have said the same thing about Bollinger and Watson even if we'd won the game, "trolling" is saying something very stupid and looking for a reaction but what i've said it actully true even if you don't like it.

Trolling can actually be quite intelligent and skilful tbf.

 

[aussie]

And Watson struggling for form?

In Tests - Started off well against England, before coming here and playing very, very well vs Pakistan (who most rate a world class bowling attack, remember Aamir decimating the Australian side at the MCG by any chance with only Watto standing up amongst the carnage?).

And let's look at his ODI form...

Brilliant in India, two centuries in the Champions trophy final, in fact if you can find a hole in his ODI career to date I'd love to see it. He's been consistently making runs in ODIs against everyone for quite a few years now.

And Bollinger being a flat track bully?

Dominates the Australian domestic scene, does awesomely on all tour matches, then finally gets his chance in itnls and does brilliantly as well. If there's any evidence of him likely becoming a flat track bully I'd love to see it.

Is this targeted at me?

 

[shivfan]

Erm didn't Bravo get 100? and erm who was taking most of the wickets along with Benn? come on Mike you know he stood up when it counted.

Bravo has only hit three centuries in 34 Tests, and averages just 32 with the bat. In ODIs, he averages just 23 with the bat....

His bowling is excellent - no dispute there. But his batting at number six weakens the batting lineup. It's so inconsistent, he should be dropped down to seven, IMHO. Since he needs to concentrate on improving his batting, do you really want to saddle him with the captaincy right now? I'd let him work on his batting right now....

 

[WindieWeathers]

And Watson struggling for form?

In Tests - Started off well against England, before coming here and playing very, very well vs Pakistan (who most rate a world class bowling attack, remember Aamir decimating the Australian side at the MCG by any chance with only Watto standing up amongst the carnage?).

And let's look at his ODI form...

Brilliant in India, two centuries in the Champions trophy final, in fact if you can find a hole in his ODI career to date I'd love to see it. He's been consistently making runs in ODIs against everyone for quite a few years now.

And Bollinger being a flat track bully?

Dominates the Australian domestic scene, does awesomely on all tour matches, then finally gets his chance in itnls and does brilliantly as well. If there's any evidence of him likely becoming a flat track bully I'd love to see it.

I asked your Aussie pals to tell me when Watson and Bollinger has dominated a game against the top sides and clearly you're also struggling with the question , i'm not saying they are poor players!!, i'm just saying they have yet to prove themselves against the best, that's all, because they've clearly had it easy this summer, there's no need to cry over it.

 

[WindieWeathers]

Bravo has only hit three centuries in 34 Tests, and averages just 32 with the bat. In ODIs, he averages just 23 with the bat....

His bowling is excellent - no dispute there. But his batting at number six weakens the batting lineup. It's so inconsistent, he should be dropped down to seven, IMHO. Since he needs to concentrate on improving his batting, do you really want to saddle him with the captaincy right now? I'd let him work on his batting right now....

For me he's the one with the biggest heart and more often than not he doesn't let us down, Chris looks like he just doesn't give a sh1t anymore Mike, and his comments about test cricket doesn't help things either, Dwayne might not be Barath with the bat but on his day he's shown he can play some lovely strokes, if he improves his batting then he'll be right up there with the other top alrounders imo.

 

[pasag]

I asked your Aussie pals to tell me when Watson and Bollinger has dominated a game against the top sides and clearly you're also struggling with the question , i'm not saying they are poor players!!, i'm just saying they have yet to prove themselves against the best, that's all, because they've clearly had it easy this summer, there's no need to cry over it.

I didn't cry, I laughed.

However you didn't just say they were unproven players, you said in size 57 font they were flat track bullies.

And furthermore I bought Watson vs Pakistan as an example against the best (before you respond about how they're crap, which they are, isolate the bowling attack, certainly better than India).

And in ODIs you can have your pick of Watson innings really.

 

[shivfan]

For me he's the one with the biggest heart and more often than not he doesn't let us down, Chris looks like he just doesn't give a sh1t anymore Mike, and his comments about test cricket doesn't help things either, Dwayne might not be Barath with the bat but on his day he's shown he can play some lovely strokes, if he improves his batting then he'll be right up there with the other top alrounders imo.

Don't read too much into the way the Guardian twisted Gayle's comments about Test cricket....

He just said he preferred 20/20 cricket to Tests, and if a lot of modern-day cricketers were honest, they'd be saying that too. Look at all those prematurely retired cricketers around now, like Flintoff, Oram, etc. Do you think they would've retired if 20/20 cricket wasn't generating such money and passionate crowds? As for his laidback style, it doesn't mean he doesn't care. After all, under Lara and Adams, the WI were whitewashed in a Test series in Oz, and under Gayle, they improved. And don't forget that the Windies have lost quite a few experienced players for this series....

Personally, I think Bravo's a captain for the future, but he's not ready yet. Also, I do hope Sarwan will reconsider his captaincy, because I think he's a candidate too. But right now, I think Gayle should keep the captaincy. You don't jettison a man who's brought about an improvement in the WI fortunes. Not unless results in test cricket - which to me is the ultimate - take a turn for the worse. At present, the WI have improved in test cricket under Gayle.

 

[brockley]

If the windies don't fly in 6 new batsmen they will not make the 40 over mark in any of the games,ahead of their times i guess,hint hint

 

[Beamer]

It really is horrible watching Morton, Dowlin and Simmons stink up the place when Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo and Barath are about to play in our domestic competition. I will never criticise Shiv or Sarwan EVER again. Please come back soon no matter how unfocused you appear Ronnie! Plus Shiv must play on until he is in his mid 40's.

Getting up at 3am GMT to watch that pile of filth masquerading as top and middle order batting is just not sensible and I don't think I shall bother on Friday.

 

[shivfan]

It really is horrible watching Morton, Dowlin and Simmons stink up the place when Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo and Barath are about to play in our domestic competition. I will never criticise Shiv or Sarwan EVER again. Please come back soon no matter how unfocused you appear Ronnie! Plus Shiv must play on until he is in his mid 40's.

Getting up at 3am GMT to watch that pile of filth masquerading as top and middle order batting is just not sensible and I don't think I shall bother on Friday.

I didn't lose any sleep, fortunately....

I slept thru the entire WI innings, and it's just as well!

With all due respect to the mighty Aussies, and they are a strong ODI unit, this series is not terribly important, so I'd rather see Chanderpaul, Barath, Sarwan and Lil Bravo work their way back to fitness by playing for Trinidad and Guyana in the four-day domestic competition, than to see them fly to Australia to answer an SOS....

I think this ODI series should be used to separate the sheep from the goats, and Morton is definitely a goat!

The sword of Damocles is hanging over Dowlin and Simmons in the ODI side too, IMHO. This may be their last-chance-series, as far as ODI cricket is concerned.

 

[WindieWeathers]

I didn't cry, I laughed.

However you didn't just say they were unproven players, you said in size 57 font they were flat track bullies.

And furthermore I bought Watson vs Pakistan as an example against the best (before you respond about how they're crap, which they are, isolate the bowling attack, certainly better than India).

And in ODIs you can have your pick of Watson innings really.

You laughed at your emotional response to an accurate statement? yep so did i , again i'll stress that HE'S DONE VERY WELL THIS SUMMER, but he just hasn't done it against the best YET, if he does then fair enough i'll praise both of them, but i have my doubts that they'll get much joy out of the top guns. that's all

 

[Craig]

Don't read too much into the way the Guardian twisted Gayle's comments about Test cricket....

He just said he preferred 20/20 cricket to Tests, and if a lot of modern-day cricketers were honest, they'd be saying that too. Look at all those prematurely retired cricketers around now, like Flintoff, Oram, etc. Do you think they would've retired if 20/20 cricket wasn't generating such money and passionate crowds? As for his laidback style, it doesn't mean he doesn't care. After all, under Lara and Adams, the WI were whitewashed in a Test series in Oz, and under Gayle, they improved. And don't forget that the Windies have lost quite a few experienced players for this series....

Personally, I think Bravo's a captain for the future, but he's not ready yet. Also, I do hope Sarwan will reconsider his captaincy, because I think he's a candidate too. But right now, I think Gayle should keep the captaincy. You don't jettison a man who's brought about an improvement in the WI fortunes. Not unless results in test cricket - which to me is the ultimate - take a turn for the worse. At present, the WI have improved in test cricket under Gayle.

Michael Holding said it himself that is Gayle is only captain because the rest of the players lack ambition and instead they all look towards Gayle for leadership.

 

[Beamer]

I didn't lose any sleep, fortunately....

I slept thru the entire WI innings, and it's just as well!

With all due respect to the mighty Aussies, and they are a strong ODI unit, this series is not terribly important, so I'd rather see Chanderpaul, Barath, Sarwan and Lil Bravo work their way back to fitness by playing for Trinidad and Guyana in the four-day domestic competition, than to see them fly to Australia to answer an SOS....

I think this ODI series should be used to separate the sheep from the goats, and Morton is definitely a goat!

The sword of Damocles is hanging over Dowlin and Simmons in the ODI side too, IMHO. This may be their last-chance-series, as far as ODI cricket is concerned.

A thoroughly sensible decision. I shall be doing the same on Thursday evening/Friday morning. I shall record it on Sky Plus but I very much doubt I will end up watching it at all if it is anything like the last 2 ODI's.

I agree with you that Simmons and Dowlin are going to struggle to get in the team given the amount of talent that will be available to us after this series when most of the injuries clear up.

I don't want to take too much away from Australia who really have been superb, but our batting has been diabolical.

 

[pasag]

You laughed at your emotional response to an accurate statement? yep so did i , again i'll stress that HE'S DONE VERY WELL THIS SUMMER, but he just hasn't done it against the best YET, if he does then fair enough i'll praise both of them, but i have my doubts that they'll get much joy out of the top guns. that's all

In ODIs, seeing as we're talking about Watson in an ODI-centric discussion, how hasn't he proven himself? And again, in Tests I point to the Pakistani attack which is a "top gun" attack. Anyways, would you be willing to back up the claim as to why you don't think they'll succeed despite everything until now indicating otherwise? Is it technique? Is it a mental thing?

 

[Craig]

When Gayle got out, I thought 'oh no' and switched the TV off.

 

[WindieWeathers]

Don't read too much into the way the Guardian twisted Gayle's comments about Test cricket....

He just said he preferred 20/20 cricket to Tests, and if a lot of modern-day cricketers were honest, they'd be saying that too. Look at all those prematurely retired cricketers around now, like Flintoff, Oram, etc. Do you think they would've retired if 20/20 cricket wasn't generating such money and passionate crowds? As for his laidback style, it doesn't mean he doesn't care. After all, under Lara and Adams, the WI were whitewashed in a Test series in Oz, and under Gayle, they improved. And don't forget that the Windies have lost quite a few experienced players for this series....

Personally, I think Bravo's a captain for the future, but he's not ready yet. Also, I do hope Sarwan will reconsider his captaincy, because I think he's a candidate too. But right now, I think Gayle should keep the captaincy. You don't jettison a man who's brought about an improvement in the WI fortunes. Not unless results in test cricket - which to me is the ultimate - take a turn for the worse. At present, the WI have improved in test cricket under Gayle.

What "improvement" though? did you see the first test against the Aussies Mike? and furthermore although we put up a fight we still lost 2-0 at the end of the day, it's high time some of these "seniors" were made accountable for the shambles we've been seeing recently, lord knows we've had some dark days but at least Lara barely let us down with his own performances when he was captain, Chris has been shocking in these last two matches, and the first test against along with these two ODI'S have been amoungst the most embarrassing displays i've ever seen from us, and all of them have happened under his leadership,

i'm not buying the excuses anymore Mike, Caribbean cricket needs a bloody shake up and if it means dumping a few of these "star names" then so be it, we're losing with them in the side anyway.

 

[Nate]

I hate this thread.

 

[WindieWeathers]

In ODIs, seeing as we're talking about Watson in an ODI-centric discussion, how hasn't he proven himself? And again, in Tests I point to the Pakistani attack which is a "top gun" attack. Anyways, would you be willing to back up the claim as to why you don't think they'll succeed despite everything until now indicating otherwise? Is it technique? Is it a mental thing?

I think Watson can be got at, he's highly emotional and i think the top guys like Steyn and Anderson would intimidate him, when he gets confident he plays silly shots too which is why he never got his first 100 against us, Bollinger doesn't look all that fast to me, and looks like he can get frustrated easily, he'll be tested when he meets batsman who can play lefties well, but as i said those are just MY OPINIONS, if you wanna disagree then fine, we'll see when they face the top guys.

 

[Noble One]

I hate this thread.

I hate this series.