*Official* England in West Indies

[zaremba]

Yep, because right from the outset they had no intention of going for a win and the presence of Powell, Edwards and Baker in the team was a token one.

If they were going to approach the game in such a way they should have been more brazen about it and taken it to the logical extreme of picking no front-line bowlers. Would have been interesting to see the reaction from press and fans alike.

Interesting thought.

Perhaps they could have flown in Tony Merrick from the SVR Stadium in Antigua to prepare the outfield...

 

[Top_Cat]

We could debate this for hours and I predict we'd get nowhere!

My point is, Collingwood's innings was absolutely vital - as was Giles'. Rather like the Windies playing Hinds as an extra batsman, you can't deny it paid off.

In terms of what transpired, fine.

I hated seeing it, though. England had absolutely dominated the Aussies with attacking play so to see them pick an extra batsman was a disappointingly defensive move. Even in the context of the weather to come. Just personal preference, I prefer all-out attack.

 

[sammy2]

Real thriller and chanderpaul was carrying an injury and batted to a more threatening bowling attack.

Only edwards bowled dangerously for the WI, and he wasn't even at top pace for most of the time.


England gave the ball to 6 bowlers and they all failed to get rid of chanderpaul.


The cricketing world is in trouble, after not scoring a century for 3 years, gayle has now made 3 in 6 games.

 

[sammy2]

PS, thanks pieterson..Just couldn't go a series without scoring a hundred.

LOL@straus.... Not even man enough to declare when he wanted to.

 

[Anil]

congrats to the windies! the first significant series win in years! hope this is the start of something good for west indian cricket...

 

[Richard]

In terms of what transpired, fine.

I hated seeing it, though. England had absolutely dominated the Aussies with attacking play so to see them pick an extra batsman was a disappointingly defensive move. Even in the context of the weather to come. Just personal preference, I prefer all-out attack.

We've noticed.

I myself like it when a defensive move comes-off because so many people seem ranged against defensive moves on principle, which IMO is just wrong. Thus, there's some small silver-lining to this series defeat.

 

[Richard]

congrats to the windies! the first significant series win in years! hope this is the start of something good for west indian cricket...

Truth be told, it's one more step - a bigger one than anything else yet - in a revival that seems to have started with the single victory in South Africa just over a year ago. Still, obviously, much and much to be done, but there are surer signs than there've been for 8 years.

This is their first series win over a non-subcontinental, non-Zimbabwe team in a genuine Test (ie, Bangladesh excluded) since they beat England in 1998, and even that was a very fortuitous victory.

I suppose in some ways this one was a little fortuitous as well, but I'd say less so than 1998 was.

 

[garage flower]

This is their first series win over a non-subcontinental, non-Zimbabwe team in a genuine Test (ie, Bangladesh excluded) since they beat England in 1998, and even that was a very fortuitous victory.

That's a fairly obscure stat (I'm asuming you mean test series). Is it particularly relevant?

I agree that the series win represents further progress, building on generally encouraging performances over the last 15 months or so. Is that six tests unbeaten now!?

Still, the same old problems (sessions where they seem to be sleepwalking, frequently woeful fielding) remain and the long-standing holes in the team (opener, middle order bat, third seamer, specialist spinner) haven't been satisfactorily filled.

Given the encouraging performances of a number of players in the extended domestic season though, there do now seem to be a number of candidates for the remaining vacancies. Squad selection for the rematch will be interesting.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

****, how awesome was Jimmy this match? Unstoppable.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Still some way short of Adam Craig Gilchrist's mark. Not even sure that's the record.

Well considering how long Bravo went in a losing team, Nash hasn't had the worst of starts, teamwise.

 

[Slifer]

Suggested Wi tean for tur of UK:

Gayle
Ne one but D Smith
Sarwan
CHanderpaul
B Nash
D Bravo
D Ramadin
Taylor
S Benn
F Edwards
Ne one but Powell

or they could give Simmons a few more tests or debut ne other promising youngster, if they do that then they could drop Bravo down to #7 and bat ramadin at 8. Doubt they'll easily get 20 wkts though but who knows

 

[roseboy64]

Posted a squad for England but shall rework maybe:

Gayle
Ramdin
Sarwan
Chanderpaul
Nash
Bravo
Barath
Simmons
Hinds
Taylor
Edwards
Baker
Sammy
Benn
Miller/Brown/Shillingford

 

[honestbharani]

Go Windies.

 

[inbox24]

Richard now that Peter Moores is in situ we will finally see the real Saj Mahmood

To be fair, Mahmood should have never played internationals. Should've just stuck to grade cricket or club cricket.

 

[Zinzan]

no chance of that. WI have three world class players in sarwan, chanders and gayle. they have three serviceable ones in ramdin, nash and taylor. edwards blows more cold than hot. the rest are ****e. they dont have the bowling to be consistently threatening.

You forgot Bravo. He's definitely world-class & you'd expect him back for the series in England

 

[duffer]

Congrats Windies. Series wasn't much cop IMO but the result brilliant.

 

[Richard]

That's a fairly obscure stat (I'm asuming you mean test series). Is it particularly relevant?

Well yes, I'd say it is fairly relevant. Any team is expected to beat India and Sri Lanka at home (though of course West Indies failed to do that in 2006 and 2008, after managing it in 2002 and 2003). And of course you'd hope they'd have won the series' against Zimbabwe and Pakistan in 2000, and Zimbabwe in 2001, which they did.

This is the first time West Indies have managed something more than that since 1998. Though they've still never beaten South Africa and not convincingly beaten Australia since 1991.

 

[Richard]

Well considering how long Bravo went in a losing team, Nash hasn't had the worst of starts, teamwise.

Ind33d. Bravo to be the Boon \ Stephen Waugh of West Indies IMO.

 

[TT Boy]

You forgot Bravo. He's definitely world-class & you'd expect him back for the series in England

As a fielder but his batting or bowling isn't even close to world class.

XI for England...

Gayle
? - Ganga
Sarwan
Nash
Chanderpaul
Bravo
Ramdin
? - Sammy/Hinds...
Taylor
? - Anyone but Powell or Benn
Edwards

Looks pretty decent. If they could find a decent opener and a 3rd quick who isn't awful then they would be very competitive.

 

[Uppercut]

What's wrong with Benn?