**Official** Bangladesh in West Indies

[garage flower]

you are basing this on one innings?

No, hence the word "further" in my post. I think I've seen all of Devon Smith's international innings and a good number of those played by Hinds and it's my assessment that Smith is the better batsman.

Unlike Hinds, he has quickly picked up on the fact that it's much harder for fielders to catch the ball when it's hit along the ground.

 

[tooextracool]

No, hence the word "further" in my post. I think I've seen all of Devon Smith's international innings and a good number of those played by Hinds and it's my assessment that Smith is the better batsman.

Unlike Hinds, he has quickly picked up on the fact that it's much harder for fielders to catch the ball when it's hit along the ground.

i think the crucial factor here is technique. hinds had an absolutely appalling technique, while smith albeit not the greatest technique but still good enough at the test match level.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

i think the crucial factor here is technique. hinds had an absolutely appalling technique, while smith albeit not the greatest technique but still good enough at the test match level.

Whilst I see your point, note that technique is not everything.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

No, hence the word "further" in my post. I think I've seen all of Devon Smith's international innings and a good number of those played by Hinds and it's my assessment that Smith is the better batsman.

Unlike Hinds, he has quickly picked up on the fact that it's much harder for fielders to catch the ball when it's hit along the ground.

Well stated. I've been saying that for a couple of years now.

 

[tooextracool]

Whilst I see your point, note that technique is not everything.

yes but you must have a decent enough technique to be able to survive in non friendly conditions. im afraid wavell hinds' technique is far far from that.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Wavell is a good backup player, but nothing more.

I've been saying that for a long time too.

Hinds just always seems to be at his best when he is recalled. Then he'll settle into the team and turn to crap again. I think he's the kind of player who needs to be dropped every 3-4 matches.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

yes but you must have a decent enough technique to be able to survive in non friendly conditions. im afraid wavell hinds' technique is far far from that.

To be fair to him, he played well in England and India (spinning pitches), but I agree. Same with Gayle. I fear seeing him in England later this year.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

well gayle has been playing like that for 4 years now and nothing said about him? at least smith has a slightly better technique than gayle and hopefully he will learn with time. smith has about 10 time more talent than most of the current WI test players, its all about his temperament and working on playing straight.

I don't know how you gauge talent, but I think Gayle has enough talent to still get better. People seem to think he's an old man. He's not, he's still quite young.

 

[tooextracool]

I don't know how you gauge talent, but I think Gayle has enough talent to still get better. People seem to think he's an old man. He's not, he's still quite young.

look how long has gayle been playing for the WI?5 yrs? in those yrs i havent seen any improvement in his technique whatsoever. his temperament and concentration is still in doubt and the fact that he fails everytime the pitch aint flat says all.(and its not like hes scoring big when the pitch is flat either)
personally if the WICB want to stick with him then they should at least get his batting position right....why would you want to have gayle opening the batting with that technique?he should be batting at 6 IMO

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

look how long has gayle been playing for the WI?5 yrs? in those yrs i havent seen any improvement in his technique whatsoever. his temperament and concentration is still in doubt and the fact that he fails everytime the pitch aint flat says all.(and its not like hes scoring big when the pitch is flat either)
personally if the WICB want to stick with him then they should at least get his batting position right....why would you want to have gayle opening the batting with that technique?he should be batting at 6 IMO

The fact that he's been playing for a long time now doesn't change the fact that he's young and can mature and improve. If a boy starts college at 12, do you honestly expect him to have the maturity and ability of a 25 year old by 17?

 

[tooextracool]

The fact that he's been playing for a long time now doesn't change the fact that he's young and can mature and improve. If a boy starts college at 12, do you honestly expect him to have the maturity and ability of a 25 year old by 17?

i dont know how your argument holds true in this situation.....the fact is that if i had seen any kind of improvement from him i might be in favour of retaining him in the side. i havent seen any at all and its highly unlikely that if someone hasnt shown any improvement in the first 5 yrs of his career, that he will in the next 5. if what you say is true then they should be other more talented players than gayle in the carribean.

 

[roseboy64]

Not better openers but better players are there.

 

[garage flower]

look how long has gayle been playing for the WI?5 yrs? in those yrs i havent seen any improvement in his technique whatsoever. his temperament and concentration is still in doubt and the fact that he fails everytime the pitch aint flat says all.(and its not like hes scoring big when the pitch is flat either)

I think lack of improvement really is the big problem where Gayle's concerned. It's a damning indictment of the player and/or coaching staff
at domestic and international level.

As Mr M implies, there are no real grounds for optimism with regard to his prospects on the England tour.

 

[garage flower]

Windies squad named for the 1-day tourney in England:

Brian Lara (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice-captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Tino Best, Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Ridley Jacobs, Ricardo Powell, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith.


Dillon and Collymore left out and St Lucian all-rounder Darren Sammy the surprise pick. Only Joseph misses out from the Bangladesh squad, which seems fair enough because he didn't really look the part.

Just 4 specialist seamers and a distinct lack of experience in this area. Collymore has really paid a heavy price for that 1-over mauling at the hands of Read. I would have thought a place could still have been found for either him or Dillon and I'm a bit worried that too much credence has been given to Bradshaw's performances against the largely inept Bangladesh batsmen.

The inclusion of Devon Smith should put Gayle under a bit of pressure, though obviously both could play. Ryan Hinds continues to be overlooked, which leaves the spin options a little short.

Overall though, a pretty good squad and a clear emphasis on young, dynamic players with a view to 2007.

 

[Tim]

I just cannot understand the West Indian selection policies.
Again, there will be another new cap on this tour.

 

[Adamc]

The inclusion of Devon Smith should put Gayle under a bit of pressure, though obviously both could play.

I doubt Gayle's spot in the one-day side is under any threat whatsoever, regardless of his present batting form.

 

[roseboy64]

Why was Sammy included in that squad?I would have rather seen another bowler in there.WI have enough all-rounders already to choose from there.Someone like Lawson or Collins should have been included.Good to see another wicky selected although that should have been done this series against the easier Bangladesh than New Zealand and England.

 

[Prince EWS]

I honestly think that its a very good squad.

Although, they have only picked four specialist seamers, Dwayne Bravo looks as good a one-day bowler as Dillon, Drakes or Collymore. He bowls quite tight and picks up the odd wicket.

Sammy also seems to have good bowling figures in FC cricket, so its not like they have picked a batsman in that position, especially since his FC batting average is only just over 20. I think they are picking him basically as a bowler, although his cricinfo profile says he is only medium pace... Is this right or is it another one of those famous cricinfo errors...

Anyway, I think its a pretty good squad.

 

[Craig]

Darren Sammy?

Where is he from and his age, bat, bowl etc?

He is one of the few WI cricketers I havent heard of.

 

[Neil Pickup]

I honestly think that its a very good squad.

Although, they have only picked four specialist seamers, Dwayne Bravo looks as good a one-day bowler as Dillon, Drakes or Collymore. He bowls quite tight and picks up the odd wicket.

Sammy also seems to have good bowling figures in FC cricket, so its not like they have picked a batsman in that position, especially since his FC batting average is only just over 20. I think they are picking him basically as a bowler, although his cricinfo profile says he is only medium pace... Is this right or is it another one of those famous cricinfo errors...

Anyway, I think its a pretty good squad.

From the little I've seen of him it's just above medium-pace, fairly accurate and decent movement.