**Official** West Indies in England 2012

[BoyBrumby]

Said on SSN that Edwards has been off the ground getting treatment for his back, so odds are he could be the man to miss out.

 

[superkingdave]

Heard a whisper that Ravi is in doubt for next week, went off the field apparently - hasn't come in in the top 4 for Essex.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Heard a whisper that Ravi is in doubt for next week, went off the field apparently - hasn't come in in the top 4 for Essex.

Scaly's voodoo doll finally paying for itself.

 

[Howe_zat]

Windies top three are consistent, can't deny that.

 

[Furball]

Heard a whisper that Ravi is in doubt for next week, went off the field apparently - hasn't come in in the top 4 for Essex.

Good.

 

[CWB304]

Taylor and Bairstow should both be in the team next week. But we all know that the undeserving Bell and Bopara will be picked instead, which gives the tourists a sniff.

 

[Strike!]

Damn, Looks like WI are gonna get tonked by the English bowling lineup.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Taylor and Bairstow should both be in the team next week. But we all know that the undeserving Bell and Bopara will be picked instead, which gives the tourists a sniff.

England will probably have Bresnan, Broad & Swann at eight, nine and ten, so I'm fairly confident runs won't be an issue.

Strauss's lack of form becoming a worry too tho. Shelled more chances (three) than scored runs (two) v Notts & has scored 57 in 4 innings this season. Coupled with his test downturn (1 ton in 50 innings or whatever it is) & his age (35, already older than Atherton, Hussain & Vaughan were when they gave the captaincy up) there's a real cause for concern if he fails against the Windies with an infinitely less friendly attack to come later in the summer.

 

[Jacknife]

Good to see Taylor came to the party at the right time but even though I'm one of his biggest fans and I'd prefer him at 6 to Ravi, it's been for the most part this season a bit of a struggle for him, so it comes down to how much emphasis you place on one innings.

For me I'd be happy with Bairstow at 6 as well, even though I'd prefer him to get a another year under his belt at Yorkshire and leave him playing just he one day stuff for England atm, or Compton who's proved the last couple of years he's a top quality player, averages 60 while he's been at Somerset the last few years, who's game & temperament is ready made for test cricket imo.

The problem I have with Ravi is he simply doesn't score enough runs in County Cricket, he just doesn't push his name forward by strength of runs scored. People say well he's next in line, maybe so but why is he, what's he done in County Cricket to make it that way.

 

[Furball]

Good to see Taylor came to the party at the right time but even though I'm one of his biggest fans and I'd prefer him at 6 to Ravi, it's been for the most art this season a bit of a struggle for him, so it comes down to how much emphasis you place on one innings.

For me I'd be happy with Bairstow, also even though I'd prefer him to get a another year under his belt at Yorkshire and leave him playing just he one day stuff for England atm, or Compton who's proved the last couple of years he's a top quality player, averages 60 while he's been at Somerset the last few years, who's game & temperament is ready made for test cricket imo.

The problem I have with Ravi is he simply doesn't score enough runs in County Cricket, he just doesn't push his name forward by strength of runs scored. People say well he's next in line, maybe so but why is he, what's he done in County Cricket to make it that way.

The same applies to pretty much every English batsman not in the Test side. Trott got his call up because Bopara was shunting it and he was averaging something daft like 90 for Warwickshire that year but the reason that England's batting lineup has been virtually the same for the last 6 years is, apart from the incumbents generally proving worthy of a place, no player in County Cricket has really piled on the runs and basically demanded selection, with the exception of Trescothick.

As far as Taylor's selection goes, granted I'm not massively up to speed with what's been going on in the Championship but is it not the case that just about everyone is struggling so far this season, with the possible exception of Nick Compton?

 

[Jacknife]

The same applies to pretty much every English batsman not in the Test side. Trott got his call up because Bopara was shunting it and he was averaging something daft like 90 for Warwickshire that year but the reason that England's batting lineup has been virtually the same for the last 6 years is, apart from the incumbents generally proving worthy of a place, no player in County Cricket has really piled on the runs and basically demanded selection, with the exception of Trescothick.

As far as Taylor's selection goes, granted I'm not massively up to speed with what's been going on in the Championship but is it not the case that just about everyone is struggling so far this season, with the possible exception of Nick Compton?

Well off the top of my head the two players who've averaged around 50 the last 2 years are Compton and Taylor, I think Ravi's been around 40 the past couple of season's before this one. There's been guys who've had a good season but then not followed it up.

Bairstow in the 4 games he's played this year has a ton and a 182 as well. No doubt batting has been difficult in general but when the likes of Lumb has also scored a couple of tons so far this season so it's not impossible.

 

[Furball]

I think Ravi's been around 40 the past couple of season's before this one.

That's my point - an average of 40 doesn't really scream 'pick me'.

 

[Jacknife]

That's my point - an average of 40 doesn't really scream 'pick me'.

Ah, we're on the same page then mate.

 

[Pothas]

Well off the top of my head the two players who've averaged around 50 the last 2 years are Compton and Taylor, I think Ravi's been around 40 the past couple of season's before this one. There's been guys who've had a good season but then not followed it up.

Bairstow in the 4 games he's played this year has a ton and a 182 as well. No doubt batting has been difficult in general but when the likes of Lumb has also scored a couple of tons so far this season so it's not impossible.

Carberry averaged over 50 in each of the last three seasons but yeah there are not all that many, but I suppose that is not partiuclarly unusual for county cricket.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Just had a look at the Mail site and their cricket writer reckons if Bopara is unfit then Bairstow will be selected. Why not pick Taylor who has just scored a ton against the West Indies test attack?

Hopefully Bopara misses out, be unfortunate for him being injured but he isn't good enough and should be left to play county cricket for the rest of his career. Taylor for me but happy if we go with Bairstow.

 

[TT Boy]

Said the innings victory was on when the lead was 70 but it should be odds on now. Powell is reaching nose bleed territory.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I hate to be that kind of patronising, paternalistic English ****, but good to see a little fight from the Windies today.

Effectively 109/2 as Fiddy was one of those to fall.

 

[theegyptian]

Hopefully Samit continues to get smashed around. No way I want him anywhere near the test team. I'd much rather Ravi on one leg

 

[TT Boy]

Yeah, good stuff by these two tbf and looks like England will have to chase something now. Root on now, so maybe they want to chase three figures.

 

[NasserFan207]

Hopefully the lads can bat through today. Get some batting in at least to get acclimatised