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luckyeddie
Cricket Web Staff Member
luckyeddie
Cricket Web Staff Member
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Neil Pickup
Request Your Custom Title Now!
August 2005's Player(s) of the Month
archie mac
International Coach
My first effort for CW please let me know what you think 
click here
click here 
luckyeddie
Cricket Web Staff Member
Top work, the pair of you.
FaaipDeOiad
Hall of Fame Member
That's really great stuff Neil. Puts my July effort to shame.Neil Pickup said:
AndrewM
U19 12th Man
ZImb/NZ/India Videocon Tri-series Review
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=711
Archie: a really interesting read, well put together. Great stuff mate
Neil: you continue to lead the way. A unique style which is enjoyable to read.
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=711
Archie: a really interesting read, well put together. Great stuff mate
Neil: you continue to lead the way. A unique style which is enjoyable to read.
Last edited:
luckyeddie
Cricket Web Staff Member
archie mac
International Coach
I was starting to see stars on the screen so I thought about down loading it, but blinked ten times and kept going. 
Very well written though
Very well written though
Hazza
U19 Cricketer
The Baconator
International Vice-Captain
Great report, just one thing, you've put kistan A in the score summary at the end.Hazza said:
Mr Mxyzptlk
Request Your Custom Title Now!
A 3-part Series
West Indian "Whodats"
Amidst struggles for consistency and success, the rotation of West Indies players in recent times has been rather impressive. In and out, or in for too long, it has never been dull as far as studies of international faces go.
Some of these bids have paid off, such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, who now averages over 40 in Test cricket, despite entering with a First Class average in the low 30s. Dwayne Smith scored an unbeaten century on debut - his first in First Class cricket, and Fidel Edwards claimed his maiden 5-wicket haul in his second First Class match, which happened to be his Test debut.
It is of present interest, however, to look at the far more common end of the spectrum, with the challenge of selecting a West Indies XI of "blunderous" or entirely bizarre selections over recent years.
Part One: The Top Order
Three's Company
Opener #1
Suruj Ragoonath
2 Tests; 4 Innings
Average: 4.33
HS: 9
Selected at the age of 27 for his first Test cap, against Australia in 1999, Ragoonath did not inspire the confidence of many. With a First Class average hovering around the 30 mark, and just 261 runs in his 9 innings in the domestic competition of that year, the Trinbagonian could not have been expecting much before he got the call.
Indeed, it was a 97-ball 53 in a tour match that saw him selected to the senior side. In that innings he attacked Glenn McGrath with his trademark "take no prisoners" attitude, impressing the selectors sufficiently to suggest he even approached world-class. With such undoubted confidence and nothing to lose, Ragoonath had his day.
Just 4 innings later his day came to an end. Suruj Ragoonath scored 11 runs in his 2 innings on debut, edging his first ball in Test cricket past gully for four. He was dismissed by a senseless runout in his first knock, then laboured for a 27-ball score of 2, before playing across the line to Gillespie in the second.
Things didn't get much better in the final Test of Ragoonath's career, as he played across the line to Gillespie once more, and was again granted an LBW dismissal. On this occasion the decision was dubious, but McGrath evened out the account somewhat, by granting a joyful curtain call - the winning runs for the West Indies, as Ragoonath ended his Test career with 2 not out.
Opener #2
Leon Garrick
1 Test; 2 innings
Average: 13.50
HS: 27
Perhaps unfortunate to have played just one Test, Leon Garrick has not played a First Class match since 2003, despite being just 29 years old. Selected with a moderate First Class record in the low 30s, Garrick pounded 801 runs at an average of 50.06 in the domestic season of 2000-01. That season he registered his highest FC score - 200 not out - and shared a record unbroken 425-run opening stand with Chris Gayle, against the youths of the West Indies 'B' team.
As such, his selection was deserved, but still only allowed for a brief moment in the sun. Garrick announced his arrival against South Africa by cutting the first ball of the match, from Allan Donald, comfortably into the hands of the gully fieldsman.
His second attempt was more fruitful, but ended with dismissal to the same bowler for a start of 27. Garrick was replaced by Wavell Hinds for the next match, and though he featured in three One Day Internationals down the line, a second Test cap was never forthcoming.
One Drop
Lincoln Roberts
1 Test; 1 Innings
Average: 0.00
HS: 0
Having been dropped by Trinidad and Tobago in recent seasons for inconsistency, Lincoln Roberts' talent was never in question. He always possessed the ability to score big runs, as evidenced by his 151 among 322 runs (40.25 average) scored in the domestic season of his Test call-up.
Even then Roberts boasted a First Class average in the mid20s, and adds symmetry to this list, having debuted in the final Test of Suruj Ragoonath's career. Always a threat to score runs and score them quickly, Roberts never got the opportunity to do so at the highest level.
In his only Test match he played his only Test innings, against Australia, and gloved a McGrath delivery to first slip for a duck. A 10-wicket win denied Roberts the chance at a second go in Test cricket, and he never approached the Test team since, remaining a "Whodat?" player in the history books of West Indies cricket.
Early inroads... three down...
That should satisfy the sadistically intrigued minds of the reading public for the moment. Whilst you ponder over the misfortunes of above three, handle the bait of further intrigue with the prospect of part two of the series: tackling the middle order.
If, by chance you are one of the three mentioned above, many apologies for the cruel reminder.
West Indian "Whodats"
Amidst struggles for consistency and success, the rotation of West Indies players in recent times has been rather impressive. In and out, or in for too long, it has never been dull as far as studies of international faces go.
Some of these bids have paid off, such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, who now averages over 40 in Test cricket, despite entering with a First Class average in the low 30s. Dwayne Smith scored an unbeaten century on debut - his first in First Class cricket, and Fidel Edwards claimed his maiden 5-wicket haul in his second First Class match, which happened to be his Test debut.
It is of present interest, however, to look at the far more common end of the spectrum, with the challenge of selecting a West Indies XI of "blunderous" or entirely bizarre selections over recent years.
Part One: The Top Order
Three's Company
Opener #1
Suruj Ragoonath
2 Tests; 4 Innings
Average: 4.33
HS: 9
Selected at the age of 27 for his first Test cap, against Australia in 1999, Ragoonath did not inspire the confidence of many. With a First Class average hovering around the 30 mark, and just 261 runs in his 9 innings in the domestic competition of that year, the Trinbagonian could not have been expecting much before he got the call.
Indeed, it was a 97-ball 53 in a tour match that saw him selected to the senior side. In that innings he attacked Glenn McGrath with his trademark "take no prisoners" attitude, impressing the selectors sufficiently to suggest he even approached world-class. With such undoubted confidence and nothing to lose, Ragoonath had his day.
Just 4 innings later his day came to an end. Suruj Ragoonath scored 11 runs in his 2 innings on debut, edging his first ball in Test cricket past gully for four. He was dismissed by a senseless runout in his first knock, then laboured for a 27-ball score of 2, before playing across the line to Gillespie in the second.
Things didn't get much better in the final Test of Ragoonath's career, as he played across the line to Gillespie once more, and was again granted an LBW dismissal. On this occasion the decision was dubious, but McGrath evened out the account somewhat, by granting a joyful curtain call - the winning runs for the West Indies, as Ragoonath ended his Test career with 2 not out.
Opener #2
Leon Garrick
1 Test; 2 innings
Average: 13.50
HS: 27
Perhaps unfortunate to have played just one Test, Leon Garrick has not played a First Class match since 2003, despite being just 29 years old. Selected with a moderate First Class record in the low 30s, Garrick pounded 801 runs at an average of 50.06 in the domestic season of 2000-01. That season he registered his highest FC score - 200 not out - and shared a record unbroken 425-run opening stand with Chris Gayle, against the youths of the West Indies 'B' team.
As such, his selection was deserved, but still only allowed for a brief moment in the sun. Garrick announced his arrival against South Africa by cutting the first ball of the match, from Allan Donald, comfortably into the hands of the gully fieldsman.
His second attempt was more fruitful, but ended with dismissal to the same bowler for a start of 27. Garrick was replaced by Wavell Hinds for the next match, and though he featured in three One Day Internationals down the line, a second Test cap was never forthcoming.
One Drop
Lincoln Roberts
1 Test; 1 Innings
Average: 0.00
HS: 0
Having been dropped by Trinidad and Tobago in recent seasons for inconsistency, Lincoln Roberts' talent was never in question. He always possessed the ability to score big runs, as evidenced by his 151 among 322 runs (40.25 average) scored in the domestic season of his Test call-up.
Even then Roberts boasted a First Class average in the mid20s, and adds symmetry to this list, having debuted in the final Test of Suruj Ragoonath's career. Always a threat to score runs and score them quickly, Roberts never got the opportunity to do so at the highest level.
In his only Test match he played his only Test innings, against Australia, and gloved a McGrath delivery to first slip for a duck. A 10-wicket win denied Roberts the chance at a second go in Test cricket, and he never approached the Test team since, remaining a "Whodat?" player in the history books of West Indies cricket.
Early inroads... three down...
That should satisfy the sadistically intrigued minds of the reading public for the moment. Whilst you ponder over the misfortunes of above three, handle the bait of further intrigue with the prospect of part two of the series: tackling the middle order.
If, by chance you are one of the three mentioned above, many apologies for the cruel reminder.
AndrewM
U19 12th Man
http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=3&NewsIDAuto=889
More questions than answers
The New Zealand captain was restless.
His team had just completed their tour of Africa with a resounding one-day tournament victory, followed by a series whitewash where they lost every game they played.
It was a time to reflect for the skipper; the bowling had been erratic, the batsmen didn't apply themselves often enough. As a captain, he had been outgunned and out-batted.
The year was late 2000.
Split Enz would argue that history never repeats, but on this occasion it did.
After hammering Zimbabwe and India, the Black Caps had every reason to enjoy a quiet confidence about winning a series in southern Africa for the first time.
New Zealand sent their best possible team overseas, with the exception of Christopher Cairns. Certainly their batting unit had a confident air about it, and with Shane Bond they had genuine wicket-taking ability.
With all that proven talent, the scoreline still reads 0-4. That is the scary thought for New Zealand fans.
New Zealand was competitive in all of the matches, only to collapse when the pressure was at its utmost. It could have meant dropping a catch, soft batting dismissals or ill-directed line and length bowling.
It was arguably a case of performance, or rather, lack of it.
The top order hardly fired a shot all tour. Nathan Astle was non-descript, Hamish Marshall continued to struggle. Scott Styris played one good knock, and Craig McMillan once again showed his impatience when the long innings was required.
Fleming himself made a couple of starts but didn't convert them.
Coach John Bracewell identified Marshall before the tour as the rock to which the rest of the batting would base itself around. That theory will have to wait just a little longer.
Lou Vincent was the one positive. He played aggressively and made a crucial 90 plus another half-century. Vincent has all the shots, but to be a long-term number three must learn to know how to balance attack and defence.
If this team are to seriously challenge for the World Cup, then more players need to stand up and take responsibility. Too often it has been Astle and Fleming to play the match-winning innings. Players like Styris, McMillan, Marshall, Vincent and even Brendon McCullum must assume seniority if Fleming or Astle fails.
Shane Bond experienced his first dip in form since his career began. His control was wayward despite generating consistent pace. It may be a blessing in disguise as he had destroyed all and sundry up until this tour.
Recent developments have plunged this team further down the quagmire.
As if New Zealand's slip from third to sixth on the ICC one-day rankings wasn't bad enough, there are fresh suggestions that a rift occurred between Fleming and Bracewell while on tour.
With such a disastrous tour such a thought is not entirely out of the question.
New Zealand Cricket has failed to deny any accusation, preferring to instead debrief the players after the tour.
The events of game five were of the most concern to this reporter. Fleming's childish portrayal of opposition captain Graeme Smith and Kyle Mills prolonged sledging at the latter achieved nothing but the admittance of an utter thrashing. It may have worked when Smith was an impressionable 22 year-old, but he has grown as a cricketer since and developed into a fine leader.
The South African skipper simply laughed off Mills' goading. Maybe he was reminding himself of the score-line?
New Zealand must now get their house in order. There are three weeks until Australia arrive for the highly anticipated return Chappell-Hadlee series.
If we are to believe Bracewell's sentiments about building this group of players for the World Cup, then this series may be the defining moment in his coaching career.
More questions than answers
The New Zealand captain was restless.
His team had just completed their tour of Africa with a resounding one-day tournament victory, followed by a series whitewash where they lost every game they played.
It was a time to reflect for the skipper; the bowling had been erratic, the batsmen didn't apply themselves often enough. As a captain, he had been outgunned and out-batted.
The year was late 2000.
Split Enz would argue that history never repeats, but on this occasion it did.
After hammering Zimbabwe and India, the Black Caps had every reason to enjoy a quiet confidence about winning a series in southern Africa for the first time.
New Zealand sent their best possible team overseas, with the exception of Christopher Cairns. Certainly their batting unit had a confident air about it, and with Shane Bond they had genuine wicket-taking ability.
With all that proven talent, the scoreline still reads 0-4. That is the scary thought for New Zealand fans.
New Zealand was competitive in all of the matches, only to collapse when the pressure was at its utmost. It could have meant dropping a catch, soft batting dismissals or ill-directed line and length bowling.
It was arguably a case of performance, or rather, lack of it.
The top order hardly fired a shot all tour. Nathan Astle was non-descript, Hamish Marshall continued to struggle. Scott Styris played one good knock, and Craig McMillan once again showed his impatience when the long innings was required.
Fleming himself made a couple of starts but didn't convert them.
Coach John Bracewell identified Marshall before the tour as the rock to which the rest of the batting would base itself around. That theory will have to wait just a little longer.
Lou Vincent was the one positive. He played aggressively and made a crucial 90 plus another half-century. Vincent has all the shots, but to be a long-term number three must learn to know how to balance attack and defence.
If this team are to seriously challenge for the World Cup, then more players need to stand up and take responsibility. Too often it has been Astle and Fleming to play the match-winning innings. Players like Styris, McMillan, Marshall, Vincent and even Brendon McCullum must assume seniority if Fleming or Astle fails.
Shane Bond experienced his first dip in form since his career began. His control was wayward despite generating consistent pace. It may be a blessing in disguise as he had destroyed all and sundry up until this tour.
Recent developments have plunged this team further down the quagmire.
As if New Zealand's slip from third to sixth on the ICC one-day rankings wasn't bad enough, there are fresh suggestions that a rift occurred between Fleming and Bracewell while on tour.
With such a disastrous tour such a thought is not entirely out of the question.
New Zealand Cricket has failed to deny any accusation, preferring to instead debrief the players after the tour.
The events of game five were of the most concern to this reporter. Fleming's childish portrayal of opposition captain Graeme Smith and Kyle Mills prolonged sledging at the latter achieved nothing but the admittance of an utter thrashing. It may have worked when Smith was an impressionable 22 year-old, but he has grown as a cricketer since and developed into a fine leader.
The South African skipper simply laughed off Mills' goading. Maybe he was reminding himself of the score-line?
New Zealand must now get their house in order. There are three weeks until Australia arrive for the highly anticipated return Chappell-Hadlee series.
If we are to believe Bracewell's sentiments about building this group of players for the World Cup, then this series may be the defining moment in his coaching career.