He's known as one of the more sensitive and emotional Windies players, Jason Holder has referenced this when talking about managing personalities on the Windies squad. I have no problem with people turning this tour down, it is absolutely their call. The board says it won't count against them, but realistically if Blackwood, Bonner or any of the others plays well they will be ahead in the queue.Why wouldn’t bravo tour?
His career needs a bit of restart
The number of cases of Coronavirus in the UK is high...seems like he made that decision based on this.Why wouldn’t bravo tour?
His career needs a bit of restart
I'm in the same boat as you are.I'm hoping Blackwood gets a game, I've always thought there was a decent player in there
I know the selections at times have been baffling but have some sympathy for the selectors here. Paul, Hetmyer and Bravo decline to tour and all I see are people slamming the board for not selecting them (not you but even just looking underneath the squads announcements on social media.) The media statement surrounding Shannon Gabriel suggests he'll be included at some point so think the board need to be cut some slack there too in the short-term given he is just returning from ankle surgery.Disappointed not to see Hety, KMA, and Bravo in there, but it is what it is.
My lineup:
1. Campbell
2. Kraigg
3. Brooks
4. Hope
5. Chase
6. Dowrich
(This is like a Bajan team so far )
7. Holder
8. Jimbo
9. Alzarri
10. Roach
11. Chemar
Actually scrap that my mind completely glazed over Blackwood - he'll be the batsman instead of Bonner - arguably a more natural fit in the middle order too could have him at 5 or 6 - ensure Hope's 4 position remains untouched, probably allow Chase to bat at 5 and then Blackwood.I know the selections at times have been baffling but have some sympathy for the selectors here. Paul, Hetmyer and Bravo decline to tour and all I see are people slamming the board for not selecting them (not you but even just looking underneath the squads announcements on social media.) The media statement surrounding Shannon Gabriel suggests he'll be included at some point so think the board need to be cut some slack there too in the short-term given he is just returning from ankle surgery.
On to the XI - I wouldn't mind that XI although with Rakheem Cornwall not proving himself with the bat in Test Cricket yet I suspect Chemar Holder unless the pitches are really flat might sit out for Bonner to slot in at 4 or 5 or they'll replace Holder with Reifer to try and strengthen the batting. Holder at 7 and Cornwall at 8 should be enough but I think they might try and stiffen the batting further. Perhaps Reifer is more likely than Bonner as then you keep 5 bowling options but have genuine batting options down to 9 and I think Roach is a very capable number 10 on his day. Also Reifer's inclusion in some of the 'A' sides, him touring the last time they went to England if I'm not mistaken and his left-arm angle will probably be factors used to justify his selection - even though I think his selection would really be more a case of fears over the batting holding up.
I expect our bowling will cause England huge problems but as you say, our batting is so bad it probably wont matter.The WI batting looks very weak especially without Bravo (although he failed in his only England tour). I'm expecting England to win fairly easily.
If it's is going to be very seamer friendly I'd say that's an option, but Rakheem the dream is such a good bowler, both defensive and attacking and he can bat as well as most of them tbh. I'd always have him in there, particularly as there is turn at both old Trafford and the Ageas bowl.Could you get away with 4 quicks + Chase, which would have the effect of lengthening the batting with Holder at 8?
Campbell
Brathwaite
Brooks
Hope
Chase
Dowrich
Blackwood
Holder
Joseph
Roach
Holder