**Official** England in The West Indies

[Shane Warne]

Trescothick goes for 88, no comeback century for him.

Should have been much less

 

[tooextracool]

vaughan gets his hundred and is now starting to cut loose. hopefully this marks a return to his 2002 form...i think i might settle for a 190 today.

 

[marc71178]

If ever the chance of beating the 190's was on, it's today.

 

[Adamc]

If ever the chance of beating the 190's was on, it's today.

Not today. Caught behind for 140 off... Sarwan. Butcher screaming along with 25 off 88.

 

[tooextracool]

woah hussains strike rate =400!!

 

[luckyeddie]

Should have been much less

Hi, Richard

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yeah, because I'm the only one whose ever said the West Indians don't play as a team and are more interested in looking good and their own success than the team's. And also because Trinidad and Tobago constitutes all of the West Indian team. So yes, since those two statements are verifiably true, I have gravely insulted your entire home culture.

Trinidad and Tobago is the country which rewarded Lara, so yes, your comment could only be directed at Trinidad and Tobago.

Also, if West Indian players cared so much more about their personal success than the team game, the West Indies team would not be struggling with the bat as much as it is.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Seems sensible. What do you think of the squad?

I like the look of the squad. I'm happy their specializing the ODI squad somewhat. No need to burn out Edwards, Best and Collins when there are other bowlers available.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Should have been much less

And Vaughan should have had much more in the first innings. It all evens out.

 

[tooextracool]

*takes out his calculator to count the number of times butcher has been out in the 50-60s*

 

[Swervy]

well the match is drawn..England wins the series 3-0

Not too sure about Lara's captaincy in this test

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I dare say I agree with Lara calling the game off early. The West Indian bowlers had been working hard for 236 overs and were no doubt exhausted. Keep in mind that England were only in the field for 202 overs. Given the recent injury problems in our cricket and the fact that the series was already lost, it was a good move of conservation I believe.

 

[luckyeddie]

I dare say I agree with Lara calling the game off early. The West Indian bowlers had been working hard for 236 overs and were no doubt exhausted. Keep in mind that England were only in the field for 202 overs. Given the recent injury problems in our cricket and the fact that the series was already lost, it was a good move of conservation I believe.

Totally agree, Liam. If they could only take 5 wickets in 236 overs, there was little prospect of taking another 5 in the next 6 or 7. It's arguable thet each wicket to fall was down to a lapse in concentration (that's to take nothing away from the West Indian bowling performance - they stuck to the task manfully). Each time England seemed to have 'done enough', a rash shot would occur and another wicket would tumble. Suddenly, minds focused again and consequently there was little chance of wickets falling in bunches.

It would have made a great 7 day wicket.

Now for the one-dayers.

 

[marc71178]

*takes out his calculator to count the number of times butcher has been out in the 50-60s*

* Wonders why someone who gets to 50 or 60 so often should be criticised *

 

[Lions81]

Trinidad and Tobago is the country which rewarded Lara, so yes, your comment could only be directed at Trinidad and Tobago.

Also, if West Indian players cared so much more about their personal success than the team game, the West Indies team would not be struggling with the bat as much as it is.

Well I did not know that only Trinidad and Tobago would do this rewarding, so I apologize. I had assumed that he would receive something from every

I have no idea how the fact that the West Indian batsmen can't bat saves them from the accusation that they care more about themselves than the team. So because the Indian and Australian batsmen do not struggle so much with the bat, they do care about individual success more than the team game? I would argue that the reason the West Indians do bat so poorly is that each one of them is trying to play flashily, impress the crowd and score as quickly as possible in tests, which is counterproductive and exactly what the team doesn't need. That or they have no talent or ability, which still does nothing to disprove my claim. And need I even bring up the Vice Captain partying and drinking in the stands after being utterly destroyed by England at home? What does that say to you?

Let me again reiterate that I meant team culture not local culture. I was not insulting your culture, I would never do that to anyone, so please know that I'm sorry my comment was unclear.

 

[Lions81]

* Wonders why someone who gets to 50 or 60 so often should be criticised *

He probably has an offensive odor.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I have no idea how the fact that the West Indian batsmen can't bat saves them from the accusation that they care more about themselves than the team. So because the Indian and Australian batsmen do not struggle so much with the bat, they do care about individual success more than the team game? I would argue that the reason the West Indians do bat so poorly is that each one of them is trying to play flashily, impress the crowd and score as quickly as possible in tests, which is counterproductive and exactly what the team doesn't need.

So your claim is that the West Indies batsmen can't bat? Have Indian and Australian batsmen never struggled for form? Tendulkar was outscored by Murali last year! It happens. It just so happens that the West Indian batsmen were mostly all out of form at once (bar Smith who just can't bat). In South Africa we scored eight centuries in four Tests, the same as South Africa bar Kallis.

That or they have no talent or ability, which still does nothing to disprove my claim. And need I even bring up the Vice Captain partying and drinking in the stands after being utterly destroyed by England at home? What does that say to you?

There was no allegation of drinking, so I don't know where you get that from. Also, eyewitnesses say that they were in the party stand yes, but not partying. Know of what you speak before you speak please.

I don't want to get into an argument of any kind and I'm don't think you do either, so be assured that there is no aggressive tone to my comments.

 

[Lions81]

Yes, I don't want to get into an argument either. But just so you're fully informed, please read this article:

http://usa.cricinfo.com/link_to_dat...S/2004/MAR/096622_WIENG2003-04_15MAR2004.html

I do believe it quotes the West Indian Cricket Board as apologizing for their players drinking and partying in the stands.

But agreed, let's move on!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The WICB did what they had to do. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they either were informed but dealt with it otherwise or weren't and just dealt with it as they did. They're not the most competent unit.

 

[Lions81]

The WICB did what they had to do. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they either were informed but dealt with it otherwise or weren't and just dealt with it as they did. They're not the most competent unit.

Perhaps, but I doubt Cricinfo would face a libel lawsuit by printing false statements, so my statement that they were drinking and partying is true.

The only reason I posted the article is because you stated "I should know of what I speak before I speak," and that article, and all the coverage on the matter, show that I in fact was quite informed on the situation. I consider myself well-informed on most matters, so I took your remark as an insult, regardless of your tone. I suppose this is like my comment on team culture in that respect. So we've both inadvertently insulted one another!

But let's move on, as you suggested.