*Official* England in West Indies

[Woodster]

Not really. In the cricket he had played before the squad, he hadn't done anything of note really. And that was his first first-class cricket for a year. It was perfectly fair to see him in form before picking him. Especially given his discipline problems.

He may not have done anything of major note, couple of decent knocks (a 40 odd and an 89), and overall bowling figures of 71.5-21-136-11 (before Test selection) should have been enough for selection in the squad, just my opinion. I am a fan of his, and judging what little players normally have to do to get into the WI squad, think he made a fair case. Perhaps in an ideal world he would have time to get more runs and wickets under his belt bwefore selection, however, the WI middle order is crying out for added stability.

His discipline problems are, however, another matter.

 

[Woodster]

Typical Bell unfortuantely. Got off to a very good start, punishing the deliveries that erred onto his legs, but then seemed to come to a bit of a standstill. I'm all for demonstrating patience in Test cricket, it is a must on occasions, and credit to Powell and Benn who bowled well to Bell, although there seemed a lack of intent on the batsman's part. Too harsh maybe ?

Cook's stroke was loose, he hadn't seen a short ball all day and then his eyes lit up when Powell dropped one short, but it was quite a way outside his off stump and he basically got it all wrong.

Strauss got a fairly decent one from Taylor, decent cutter, Strauss may have opted to leave it, but don't think he did too much wrong.

Benn has impressed to be fair, mixed his pace up well, and got some encouraging response out of the pitch, a number turning quite sharply. Powell was surprisingly accurate, but Taylor is the man that I think will cause England the most problems.

Need KP to assume control in the afternoon session, and not allow Benn to dictate terms. May be quite a duel.

 

[Evermind]

Now scale that terror up to understand the Chanderpaul-West Indies situation.

I'm not so sure you need to scale it up anymore. The England top order are generally a bunch of muppets, and Flintoff - a bowling all-rounder - coming in at #6 with an average of 32 or so is a frightening prospect. "Dullness" is the predominent vibe I get from the lineup.

If not for Pietersen and Flintoff, this England team would be on par with WI.

 

[Woodster]

I'm not so sure you need to scale it up anymore. The England top order are generally a bunch of muppets, and Flintoff - a bowling all-rounder - coming in at #6 with an average of 32 or so is a frightening prospect. "Dullness" is the predominent vibe I get from the lineup.

If not for Pietersen and Flintoff, this England team would be on par with WI.

Would prefer Prior to come in at 6, and Freddie at 7 personally.

 

[Penguinissimo]

If not for Pietersen and Flintoff, this England team would be on par with WI.

I think that's a bit harsh, but I see where you're coming from.

And there's a LOT of people who don't want to see Flintoff coming in at 6, although it is slightly ameliorated (word of the day ) by Prior at 7 and Broad at 8.

In the long run, if Rashid comes up to scratch, you can see England going back to bits n pieces depth - a middle order of Flintoff, Prior/Davies, Broad and Rashid, who could bat in any order they liked and it not make much difference.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Anyway, this is how I think we'll line up (rather than who I'd pick):

Strauss*
Cook
Bell (groan)
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
Prior+
Broad
Sidebottom
Harmison
Panesar

Harsh on Jimmy & Owais, but selectors are an inherently conservative bunch.

Oh he's good; he's very, very good.

Actually frightening how easily I can put myself in the position of a clueless selector.

Stuck at work til six, have I missed much?

 

[Evermind]

Stuck at work til six, have I missed much?

Insufferably dull batting and the worst shot of 21st century cricket from Cook.

 

[Woodster]

Stuck at work til six, have I missed much?

Been quite an interesting morning session really. The pitch is slow and the outfield the same. Just looks a very un-Caribbean ground.

KP looks in control, just hope he can keep his head on throughout the afternoon (hopefully the rest of the day). All WI bowlers have bowled decently, Powell economical, and Benn fairly threatening. Turn already.

 

[zaremba]

In the long run, if Rashid comes up to scratch, you can see England going back to bits n pieces depth - a middle order of Flintoff, Prior/Davies, Broad and Rashid, who could bat in any order they liked and it not make much difference.

Indeed.

I fear that this may seduce the selectors into playing sub-standard bowlers on the strength of their batting though. Broad and Rashid being the prime candidates for this. At the moment I'm not convinced that either of them is up to the job, although they are fine lower-middle order batsmen.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Interesting. Monty could run through the non-Chanderpaul Windies line-up like a dose of salts then.

 

[Penguinissimo]

Indeed.

I fear that this may seduce the selectors into playing sub-standard bowlers on the strength of their batting though. Broad and Rashid being the prime candidates for this. At the moment I'm not convinced that either of them is up to the job, although they are fine lower-middle order batsmen.

The ghost of Duncan Fletcher haunts us yet.

 

[superkingdave]

Might end up missing the added batting deptth Jimmy would give us to be honest.

 

[superkingdave]

Anyway, looks like we are going to die wondering against the spinners...runs are going to accumulate themselves fellas!

Collingwood on course for a 100 ball 10

 

[TT Boy]

Scary to think what a good spinner would do here.

 

[NUFAN]

Recent overs . . . . . . | . . . . . . | . . . . . . | . .

 

[superkingdave]

Scary to think what a good spinner would do here.

Could be one of those pitches where the spin will 'dissapear' once Monty gets a go.

Colly could be gone here

 

[TT Boy]

Only one more call for Gayle.

 

[Beleg]

if only WI had a proper leg spinner here... bounce, turn...

 

[TT Boy]

Get Sarwan on. He can turn the ball miles (with no control).

 

[superkingdave]

if only WI had a proper leg spinner here... bounce, turn...

Dave crying aws