**Official** England in The West Indies

[Tim]

While I think Flintoff has come a long way in terms of being able to hit out against any attack, he still needs to be able to learn when to control himself and play a sensible innings...especially in test cricket. He's played enough test cricket now so really he should be using that experience.

 

[PY]

I'm singing in the rain, I'm singing in the rain.....not such a glorious feeling, it's raining AGAIN!!! :!(.

323/8 (99 overs)

Jones 7* (11)
Hoggard 8* (60)

 

[Tim]

Ahh yes, another wet & windy day in Wellington...oh my mistake it's Kingston!

 

[Tom Halsey]

Hoggard 8* (60)

Typical Oggie.

 

[Tim]

I'd have to say that the Cricinfo updater for the W.I/Eng match is the best I have seen.

 

[Tim]

325/9, Jones skies one & is out...looks like England will get around a 15 to 20 run lead.

 

[Tim]

60 extras is horrendous...even in club matches it doesn't get to that type of standard (in NZ anyway)

 

[Rich2001]

While I think Flintoff has come a long way in terms of being able to hit out against any attack, he still needs to be able to learn when to control himself and play a sensible innings...especially in test cricket. He's played enough test cricket now so really he should be using that experience.

To be fair the actual shot he intended and played wasn't actually a bad choice, he just didn't time it well enough which resulted in a catch rather than clearing the fielder.

 

[marc71178]

Typical Oggie.

Don't knock it.

For one who allegedly cannot bat, he did a damn fine hour and a half of staying in and edging a small lead for England.

 

[aussiefan]

The match has become intresting. With 2 more days and England with a small lead the match can turn in any ones favour provided the weather should be good.

Is lara fit to play?

 

[Craig]

Why Why Why?

Just when he looks to be back on top of the game, he does this.

A typical Freddie innings in every sense of the word

Doesnt surprise me.

Plays like a millon dollars but gets out to a 5 cent shot. Or a millon dollar ball.

 

[twctopcat]

I know that it was sarwan that dismissed Flintoff but from the side view it seemed the bowl stayed very low. This coupled with the slight mistiming resulted in hitting it almost off the toe. He was right to go for the shot because it was so pitched up. Still i see what you mean, patience is still lacking.

 

[marc71178]

Plays like a millon dollars but gets out to a 5 cent shot. Or a millon dollar ball.

There's no way a batsman can be criticised for getting out to a great ball though.

A poor shot certainly.

A poor shot against a part-time bowler who has just come on definitely.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Lara has a dislocated little finger for those of us who don't know. He will likely bat if needed though.

Edwards has a back strain. It was thought to be only slight initially and he went off the field due precautionary measaures, but now it is feared to be more serious.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Hopefully this is Sanford's last venture into the top level of cricket. Both Lara and Sarwan seemed reluctant to bowl him, but he certainly wasn't picked for his batting or fielding (which has improved it seems). Sanford looks distinctly less than ordinary and should never have been picked for this or any Test match. This is compounded further by the injury to Edwards.

 

[Langeveldt]

Hopefully this is Sanford's last venture into the top level of cricket. Both Lara and Sarwan seemed reluctant to bowl him, but he certainly wasn't picked for his batting or fielding (which has improved it seems). Sanford looks distinctly less than ordinary and should never have been picked for this or any Test match. This is compounded further by the injury to Edwards.

I agree Liam... I was thinking you must be rather ****ed off with the selectors persevering with him...

He looked very ordinary against SA... and i dont think much is going to change....

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I was listening to Courtney Walsh on the radio and he was asked if this is the pace attack that the West Indies should stick with in upcoming matches. He said that Best, Edwards and Collymore for sure. "Not too sure about Sanford though. He hasn't gotten it right at this level yet."

Considering that Sanford is in his late 20s I'm very certain he won't be improving much before his time is up.

 

[Craig]

Liam with Ryan Hinds, is he strong against pace or spin?

Also with the ball does he flight it or not?

 

[Craig]

Lara has a dislocated little finger for those of us who don't know. He will likely bat if needed though.

Edwards has a back strain. It was thought to be only slight initially and he went off the field due precautionary measaures, but now it is feared to be more serious.

Not good.

Is there a curse among promising young quick bowlers that hail from the WI.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Liam with Ryan Hinds, is he strong against pace or spin?

Also with the ball does he flight it or not?

Well he hasn't faced much quality spin as yet, but he appears to have good technique to face it. He was pretty good against Pakistan.

He hasn't bowled much in international cricket either, but when I've seen him (in domestic games also) he's given it reasonable flight.