**Official** West Indies in England 2012

[benchmark00]

I see no reason why Kieron Pollard can't be a good longer form cricketer. Hitting the ball is still hitting the ball, and I wouldn't call him an out and out slogger.

Think the West Indies really need to invest some resources into taking him into first class cricket and keeping him there. His talent and ball striking ability sets him ahead of so many others, just needs to fine tune some things.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Did Gayle arrive in England? two days to go, cant see him playing but will be dramatic if he plays.

Carried by a Helicopter, out comes Gayle straight into Trent Bridge ground, lap of honour as the other players hold their bats, the big man ******ed by some kingfisher cheerleaders and right into the pitch smacking Swann for 4 Vodafone sixers and 2 Brit fours.

 

[Viscount Tom]

Investec is hurt by your lack of awareness of new sponsorship.

Expect a Zebra head in your bed.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I see no reason why Kieron Pollard can't be a good longer form cricketer. Hitting the ball is still hitting the ball, and I wouldn't call him an out and out slogger.

Think the West Indies really need to invest some resources into taking him into first class cricket and keeping him there. His talent and ball striking ability sets him ahead of so many others, just needs to fine tune some things.

No reason why he couldn't be a longer form cricketer, but he's a long way off. I think they'd be better focusing their attention on Kevon Cooper personally. He's obviously put a lot of time and effort into his slower balls, if he put those resources into becoming a long form bowler I don't see why he couldn't become a good quality fast medium bowler.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Not really. He has experience in England before that's all. There are other bowlers more deserving of a shot ahead of Gabriel and Best.

Was a pretty awful joke, can see how it was missed.

 

[LegendaryProtea]

Wow, you know W.I. cricket isn't in a great state when people start saying Pollard could get in with some work. He has shown me absolutely nothing to indicate he would succeed in the longer formats. Most of his rare 50 plus innings in ODIs are usually composed heavily of boundaries. I understand the point that he is as clean a hitter as any, but how exactly does hitting gentle medium pacers and ordinary spinners for big sixes down the ground in the IPL mean he will be able to play Test innings under pressure in the middle order. He has no real technique to speak of and I haven't seen a wide array of strokes. Also, he seems to really struggle against genuine pace and has been worked over by the short ball.

 

[uvelocity]

people start saying Pollard could get in

relax, it's benchmark00

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Wow, you know W.I. cricket isn't in a great state when people start saying Pollard could get in with some work. He has shown me absolutely nothing to indicate he would succeed in the longer formats. Most of his rare 50 plus innings in ODIs are usually composed heavily of boundaries. I understand the point that he is as clean a hitter as any, but how exactly does hitting gentle medium pacers and ordinary spinners for big sixes down the ground in the IPL mean he will be able to play Test innings under pressure in the middle order. He has no real technique to speak of and I haven't seen a wide array of strokes. Also, he seems to really struggle against genuine pace and has been worked over by the short ball.

Tbf his FC record is actually pretty alright so it's a fair call, though I'd take a guess that he has next to no motivation to play the longer format these days. Don't blame him at all though, I'd probably do the same.

 

[LegendaryProtea]

I remember after one of the matches when Australia toured the WI, he said he would like to get into the Test XI. I don't really think he is that motivated though. Well, his FC average is mid 30s, which is not horrible but it's not exactly Test standard. Also, I'm guessing the standard of WI FC cricket is not great. It'd be fairly easy for a man like Pollard to come out and smack a quick 30 and then get out. Doesn't really say much for his ability in the longer form.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

To me it says that the ability is there, he just needs to actually play more of it. Which probably won't happen, I know.

 

[Spikey]

Tbf his FC record is actually pretty alright so it's a fair call, though I'd take a guess that he has next to no motivation to play the longer format these days. Don't blame him at all though, I'd probably do the same.

An average of 37 is pretty much bradmanesque in the wi fc comp tbh.


also "Most of his rare 50 plus innings in ODIs are usually composed heavily of boundaries." is pretty weird. I mean, guess how most of his 50 plus innings in test matches would be composed? If anything that's an encouraging sign, he's not taking advantage of fielders staying back on the boundary and bowlers not really trying to take wickets. He's either finding the gaps, or blasting it over their heads.

Of course, the flipside is, he doesn't have a very good ODI record. But I doubt in a test match....

 

[LegendaryProtea]

Perhaps I should have clarified the nature of the boundaries. Large sixes, generally over long-on and mid-wicket. That means he'll be effective in Test cricket when the red ball tends to be swinging around? Please tell me how. Of course 50 plus innings in Tests consist largely of boundaries but sensible shots that are able to pierce the field. Flicks to the leg side, cover drives, cuts etc. coupled with an ability to play the short ball and knowing where your off stump is. For my money, Pollard has not shown any of these things to a degree where I can say he'd be decent at Test level. Who knows, maybe he has the talent. Maybe he'd do well. I just haven't seen anything to indicate he will.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Yes, because batsmen always apply the same technique and approach to test cricket as T20.

 

[Spark]

It's true. Dave Warner's FC average is actually 15.

 

[LegendaryProtea]

I never said he'll bat the same way, did I? I said that's all we've seen from him, so how are people reaching the conclusion that he'll fare well in Tests? He might do. He might not. It's just not been demonstrated yet if he can. Let me see him play an innings under huge pressure. Let me see him construct a proper innings, sensibly building his score. Until then, I'm afraid I can't say his Test average will be any better than his ODI average.

 

[Prince EWS]

I never said he'll bat the same way, did I? I said that's all we've seen from him, so how are people reaching the conclusion that he'll fare well in Tests? He might do. He might not. It's just not been demonstrated yet if he can. Let me see him play an innings under huge pressure. Let me see him construct a proper innings, sensibly building his score. Until then, I'm afraid I can't say his Test average will be any better than his ODI average.

Nobody actually said they should just throw him in the side though; what was said was that he had the ability and needed some refinement and commitment.

 

[LegendaryProtea]

Yeah, but that's what I'm questioning. How have they determined he has the ability to play well in Tests when all we've seen from him are brutal 50s with violent sixes. I just don't know how that conclusion can be reached on the available evidence.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Haven't watched enough of him to pass a real judgement, but he looks to play pretty straight from what I have seen.

Looks loose too, but I've never seen him in an FC game.

I do think some of us have ingrained biases against chaps who score quickly (Gilchrist, Pietersen & Warner have all been dismissed as sloggers at various stages of their careers) ignoring that in their cases it's a solid basic technique that the big shots are built on.

 

[LegendaryProtea]

To be honest, it doesn't really matter does it? WI seem to have pigeon-holed him as a LO player and I doubt we'll ever see him in a Test match. I think he prefers it that way as well.

 

[BoyBrumby]

To be honest, it doesn't really matter does it? WI seem to have pigeon-holed him as a LO player and I doubt we'll ever see him in a Test match. I think he prefers it that way as well.

I imagine his accountant definitely does, anyway.