*Official* England in West Indies

[Bahnz]

Powell was full of bombast before the series, confidently predicted a 3-0 home win - and that still stands. He didn't stop there, either, with his assessment of England after this result. "It's a bigger wound they have now because looking at the position, if I was the fielding side, I would think I would win the game, especially with me and Fidel there batting. But we batted brilliantly and saved the game. England will feel bad now."

Powell is something else.

Yeah, he's awfully chipper considering he should probably be dropped for the next match.

 

[roseboy64]

For Rose

http://www.getminted.com/sports/sports/images/stories/this is anfield.jpg

Horrible stuff.

 

[roseboy64]

I hope Sarwan can maintain this consistency, he's such a talented and good player to watch but somehow his record (test) does not reflect this. He is 29 now prolly his peak so a good 4 years could mean that he may bump his average up to 45 which would be a much better reflection of his talents.

28 still he is. Gayle's 29 IIRC.

 

[JBH001]

Pretty much what's been said on here, said he understood not enforcing the follow-on citing that Strauss had 'extreme circumstances', then heavily criticised England for sending in the nightwatchman and batting **** on the fourth morning. Also praised Broad and Swann.

Thanks ozone.

 

[roseboy64]

They seem to think Ramdin has a weakness with the full ball. Anything in that, Windies fans?

Quite possibly. Not noticed before but remembering how he's been out before the full ball works.

 

[Burgey]

Just so happy with this result. Top stuff.

 

[Precambrian]

England

This is turning out to be one of the gunnest series in recent times. In fact, I've never been so happier for test cricket in a long time. Should Windies win this series, it would be the end of the downward curve that has been plaguing them since 2000.

 

[Bahnz]

England

This is turning out to be one of the gunnest series in recent times. In fact, I've never been so happier for test cricket in a long time. Should Windies win this series, it would be the end of the downward curve that has been plaguing them since 2000.

Try 1995. And I think you could trace the beginning of the upward movement to at least 12 months ago.

 

[aussie]

Try 1995. And I think you could trace the beginning of the upward movement to at least 12 months ago.

To be 100% exact. It wouldn't be Australia 95. More so in PAK 97.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Given that i don't think anyone agreed with Strauss's decision re the follow on, though a few understood it, I think its fair that he's going to come in for a massive amount of criticism on here.

I understood it, I just thought it was wrong and lacking in a bit of intestinal fortitude. The only way the Windies could've won at the end of their first knock was for us to make them follow on, then score 350-400 & hope Taylor could repeat his first test heroics defending a small total. I'm sure this was in Strauss's mind when the decision was made not to enforce (along with the concerns about Fred & Harmison), but it ignored the fact that risking a miracle was also our best shot at a win.

Jimmy as nightwatchman was equally as conservative a call in the circumstances and even more baffling as it served only to protect Shah rather than England as a whole.

He outscored Cook. The chronic defensive approach in (a) not enforcing the follow on, (b) sending in a night watchman, (c) pissing around at 3 an over yesterday morning, (d) batting on forever, and (e) getting a lead of 500 means we have no right to feel sorry for ourselves.

Entirely our own bloody fault.

Yup.

Kudos to the Windies, but there's no way they should've gotten out of that with honours even.

 

[0RI0N]

Powell was full of bombast before the series, confidently predicted a 3-0 home win - and that still stands. He didn't stop there, either, with his assessment of England after this result. "It's a bigger wound they have now because looking at the position, if I was the fielding side, I would think I would win the game, especially with me and Fidel there batting. But we batted brilliantly and saved the game. England will feel bad now."

---
powell owns england.
kak funny

 

[Evermind]

A bit galling to see a triumphant Daren Powell interviewed. The worst specialist batsman in Test history, although to be fair he did his job today.

?!

Powell is certainly not a specialist batsman by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[biased indian]

Missed out on 2 good test matches and a third which had an interesting 10 balls

don't know when our cable guy will give the channel showing games in India now going to miss the SA vs Aus test series also... its the same channel showing the series also

 

[biased indian]

England

This is turning out to be one of the gunnest series in recent times. In fact, I've never been so happier for test cricket in a long time. Should Windies win this series, it would be the end of the downward curve that has been plaguing them since 2000.

don't think so.....on away series they will continue to struggle

 

[Evermind]

England

This is turning out to be one of the gunnest series in recent times. In fact, I've never been so happier for test cricket in a long time. Should Windies win this series, it would be the end of the downward curve that has been plaguing them since 2000.

Not a chance in hell. Other than Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul, their batting is Bangladesh standard. They badly need Bravo back, and some reliable, ultra-talented batsmen. I don't see them winning a single away series other than Bangladesh.

 

[Precambrian]

Not a chance in hell. Other than Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul, their batting is Bangladesh standard. They badly need Bravo back, and some reliable, ultra-talented batsmen. I don't see them winning a single away series other than Bangladesh.

Hmm... if their batting holds a bit, and if they can transform atleast 2 younglings to reasonable potentials, there is no reason why they cannot be a middling force in test cricket. They certainly challenged NZ recently, didn't they?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Not a chance in hell. Other than Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul, their batting is Bangladesh standard. They badly need Bravo back, and some reliable, ultra-talented batsmen. I don't see them winning a single away series other than Bangladesh.

Harsh on Nash I think.

 

[four_or_six]

Hmm... if their batting holds a bit, and if they can transform atleast 2 younglings to reasonable potentials, there is no reason why they cannot be a middling force in test cricket. They certainly challenged NZ recently, didn't they?

I reckon with Bravo back in they look pretty okay. Powell's bowling seems to be the main really weak link, along with the no.4 batting position. Smith seems to have potential as an opener, I think he should get a run. And Nash also looks as though he can do a job for them.

 

[Evermind]

Harsh on Nash I think.

Yet to be really proven. Can't say anything after a couple of tests, though he does look pretty solid. He could just as easily turn out to be a Wasim Jaffer.

Smith, Powell, Hinds, Ramdin: what's to be done with these guys? They're gonna have to double their averages for the WIndies to be world-beaters, or at least raise them by 10 each for them to be competitive.

 

[four_or_six]

More to the point, what on earth is to be done with Harmison? Since Oct 2005 he's played 26 matches and averaged 37.3. And since he came back into the team last summer 4 matches averaging 41.1. If he was a youngster coming through that's one thing, but surely at some point enough is enough.