**Official** England in The West Indies

[luckyeddie]

OK, let`s assume for the moment that Flintoff keeps his place, and Atherton stays in the press box, what about Chris Read? The only runs he`s made this winter have been against Bangladesh, a couple of 30s. It seems he`s running out of chances. With Geraint Jones making 66 in the last match, there`s definitely pressure on him. How long do you persevere with a number seven who averages 13 in Tests?

A point which many folks have laboured long and hard over in the past.

He (Read) can only be justified his place in the side if he is either
a) a solid batter
or
b) a military mile better than his rivals with the gloves.

I've seen Geraint Jones a couple of times over the last couple of years and he is, like many others in the English game, a solid wicketkeeper-batsman. Chris Read, on the other hand, seems to be an exceptional wicket-keeper but nowhere near as solid with the willow.

I find it inexplicable that Read has been retained for the one-dayers, but perfectly understandable that he retains his place in the test side.

As I said, a keeper of exceptional ability - and that's what counts in my eyes (old Bob Taylor fan). Equally, I can see the argument that his batting ought to be better. If his keeping standard drops from its current exemplary level, then he's out for me.

 

[scrumpy]

I agree that Jones should get a go in the one-dayers, and that Read is the better keeper, I just wonder whether Read should be batting at seven. It wouldn`t fill me with confidence to see him walking out at 140 for 5.

Trouble is, the Gaffer is such a hard act to follow. With Stewart and Flintoff at 6 and 7 the lower middle-order really had a solid look to it.

 

[marc71178]

OK, let`s assume for the moment that Flintoff keeps his place, and Atherton stays in the press box, what about Chris Read? The only runs he`s made this winter have been against Bangladesh, a couple of 30s. It seems he`s running out of chances. With Geraint Jones making 66 in the last match, there`s definitely pressure on him. How long do you persevere with a number seven who averages 13 in Tests?

Read's keeping has been exemplary - so that'll keep him in good stead IMO. Possibly a spot too high at 7, but then again, so would Giles be, and we're winning games, so its not all bad!

 

[marc71178]

It wouldn`t fill me with confidence to see him walking out at 140 for 5.

Trouble is, the Gaffer is such a hard act to follow. With Stewart and Flintoff at 6 and 7 the lower middle-order really had a solid look to it.

Yet conversely you would if it were Flintoff?

Interesting - but 140-5 would suggest that Read cannot take the blame!

 

[garage flower]

Yet conversely you would if it were Flintoff?

Interesting - but 140-5 would suggest that Read cannot take the blame!

I think the point is that, in the above situation, you'd want a no. 7 who you'd consider to have a reasonable chance of getting you out of the hole, as Jacobs has often done for the Windies.

 

[scrumpy]

My apologies to Mr Read - he averages 15 in Tests, not 13. I actually hope he gets runs in this match and makes his place secure for Antigua, but I still think it doesn`t do any harm to look at the other contender. The ODIs would have been an ideal opportunity.

When England flew out to Bangladesh in October they effectively had two new keepers in the sqaud, one uncapped, the other had played three Tests in 1999. They should ideally have been given equal opportunities to stake a claim for a Test slot. But the management seem to have decided at the outset that Read would get preference - it just seems wrong to me.

Part of the problem with these short tours I suppose.

 

[scrumpy]

Hey guys, there`s another Test match starting in half an hour!

I just checked the weather forecast for Barbados, it`s looking good. Is anyone going to be watching on Sky? I`ve got to go to my daughter`s school tonight but I`m definitely going to watch in the pub tomorrow, hopefully to see a Vaughan 100.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Vaughan wins the toss - and fields. Interesting decision...

Gayle and Ganga in to bat in about 10 minutes.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

20/2 already. First was apparently outside leg (Gayle lbw b Hoggard 6), second is supposedly pretty plumb (Ganga lbw b Harmison 11) but no stroke offered at all.

EDIT: I've been listening too much to Mark Nicholas. Wasn't plumb after all

 

[Majin]

Ganga should have been out plumb to Harmison anyway.

I do like Brian Lara sending himself out at number 3, Lets hope he can make some runs.

Edit: There is some serious bounce in this pitch, eh? Matthew Hoggard getting some dirty bounce.

 

[marc71178]

And some low bounce as well Mr Jones...

 

[Swervy]

there has been a strong suggestion that Atherton WILL come out of retirement for the NZ series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok so NO-ONE fell for the April Fools 'gag'

 

[luckyeddie]

ok so NO-ONE fell for the April Fools 'gag'

You have got to be joking.
Rule 1 - check date
Rule 2 - check rule 1

 

[Swervy]

You have got to be joking.
Rule 1 - check date
Rule 2 - check rule 1

ok ok...i am the fool

anyway Freddie has got Lara out

 

[luckyeddie]

ok ok...i am the fool

anyway Freddie has got Lara out

Should have had Chanderpaul out too - poor miss by Butcher.

Sky TV's new 'toy' is a super-slomo camera - 1,000 frames per second. A few minutes ago there looked to be a very good shout for a cauch down the leg side (turned down by the umpire). They showed the super-motion image on - you could even see the material in the batsman's trousers 'ripple' as the ball brushed against it.

I am most impressed. Umpires the world over will be surrendering.

 

[Majin]

Has anyone else noticed how the only person who's ever interested in Ashley Giles lbw shouts is Giles himself? No one else could care less.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Any updates on the score? Have no access to a TV at present, and can't be bothered to go on cricinfo.

 

[Majin]

194-5

Chanderpaul just thought he got his half century but the board was wrong, he's currently on 49.

 

[Swervy]

Any updates on the score? Have no access to a TV at present, and can't be bothered to go on cricinfo.

but you could be bothered to type that???!!!!!

WI 193 for 5 Harmison has 3 wickets

 

[Swervy]

205 for 7 and Freddie has 3 now