***Official*** India in West Indies

[Arjun]

Given that Tendulkar is fit to return for the four tests, these would be the certain selections.

Opening Batsmen: V Sehwag, W Jaffer
Middle-Order Batsmen: R Dravid, S Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Y Singh, M Kaif
Wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni
Seamers: I Pathan, S Sreesanth, M Patel, RP Singh
Spinners: A Kumble, H Singh

I'm assuming we'll take a 15-man squad for the tests as well. Would you opt for an extra opener (G Gambhir), extra middle-order bat (S Raina), extra keeper (D Karthik), extra seamer (VRV Singh) or extra spinner (R Powar)?

Having 6 middle-order bats is ridiculous, so rule out Raina. 3 spinners seems like a subcontinental thing to do, so rule out Powar. VRV Singh probably won't be needed and has an A tour starting a few days after the 4th test, so rule him out. I'd probably go with Gambhir then as he is also a good close-in fielder in case that **** happens again. Maybe we can send Karthik as the 16th member.

We agree on most selections, but Kaif is merely a bits-and-pieces batsman at Test level. Maybe you can try out Venugopal or Raina or even a third opener, the last being the best choice. Then again, why not have Tendulkar opening the innings? You have a risk-taking coach here and none of the openers really justify their selections at the top of the order, even ahead of a promoted Tendulkar. That said, Gautam Gambhir hasn't been given a fair try, nor is it too bad an idea to have ODI prospect Robin Uthappa opening the innings.

You can have Powar as a third spinner to complete the 15-man squad. Given the need to play five bowlers yet not lose out on extra runs, Harbhajan's woeful form (though recovering in ODI's) and Powar's methods of making the batsmen play, he's a good choice to have in the starting lineup.

If you can take a squad of 16, there's no point in taking a second wicketkeeper. He'll only be an extra in tour matches, if he gets any. Rather, they can go in for someone like JP Yadav or Joginder Sharma or even Reetinder Sodhi (I know that's going a little too far, but you must have got what I'm hinting at) in place. They're more likely to get a match, even if it's a tour match they're playing. Score runs and provide support to Sreesanth and Irfan, that's what this player needs to do, if he gets a match. Then both Kumble and Harbhajan can make the team, and that's over 700 wickets between them, making that a crucial pair.

 

[Jono]

Kaif is a bits and pieces batsman at test level? May I ask what exactly what a bits and pieces batsman at test level is? Is it someone that isn't a stroke maker?

 

[marc71178]

He's never hit a six in his life?

 

[Anil]

Kaif is a bits and pieces batsman at test level? May I ask what exactly what a bits and pieces batsman at test level is? Is it someone that isn't a stroke maker?

 

[Dasa]

He's never hit a six in his life?

I think so. Kick out Kaif and play Munaf Patel at 5 to hit those big shots, I say.

 

[adharcric]

I think so. Kick out Kaif and play Munaf Patel at 5 to hit those big shots, I say.

Import Justin Kemp as well. Munaf and Justin in the middle-order is brilliant, knock out Dravid, he's too weak to hit sixes.

 

[adharcric]

It looks like the 16th member of the Test Squad will indeed be a reserve wicketkeeper.
Sehwag, Jaffer, Gambhir, Dravid*, Laxman, Yuvraj, Kaif, Tendulkar / Raina, Dhoni+, Karthik+, Pathan, Sreesanth, Munaf, RPS, Kumble, Harbhajan looks solid.
Lets see how Sachin progresses.

 

[adharcric]

JCA Practice Match Squad

Wavell Hinds (capt), Chris Gayle, Donovan Pagon, Marlon Samuels, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wk), Jermaine Lawson, Tamar Lambert, Bevon Brown, Danza Hyatt, Andrew Richardson, Damion Ebanks and Donovan Sinclair

Does anyone have information on the prospects, talents etc in this group?

 

[Arjun]

Kaif is a bits and pieces batsman at test level? May I ask what exactly what a bits and pieces batsman at test level is? Is it someone that isn't a stroke maker?

Kaif scores only in bits and pieces, and hasn't yet got a century, even on a flat deck where his opposite number got into three figures.

 

[Arjun]

Wavell Hinds (capt), Chris Gayle, Donovan Pagon, Marlon Samuels, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wk), Jermaine Lawson, Tamar Lambert, Bevon Brown, Danza Hyatt, Andrew Richardson, Damion Ebanks and Donovan Sinclair

Does anyone have information on the prospects, talents etc in this group?

One genuine prospect is Jermaine Lawson, who's been in and out of the team. He's one of the faster bowlers the West Indians have and despite playing for a West Indian side which was the subject of jokes in Sri Lanka last year, he had the highly rated Indian batting lineup on their toes and apprehensive. He's also got seven wickets in an innings against the Australians in a Test match in Antigua. Darren Powell also played in that team.

Another familiar name is Carlton Baugh, the wicketkeeper. He was a replacement for the injured Ridley Jacobs when the Australians toured the West Indies in 2003, and hardly scored any runs, and his keeping wasn't very special either. Wonder how he's performing these days.

 

[Arjun]

It looks like the 16th member of the Test Squad will indeed be a reserve wicketkeeper.

Reserve Wicketkeeper (a.k.a. Passenger). Nice way to get a Caribbean vacation, isn't it?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

One genuine prospect is Jermaine Lawson, who's been in and out of the team. He's one of the faster bowlers the West Indians have and despite playing for a West Indian side which was the subject of jokes in Sri Lanka last year, he had the highly rated Indian batting lineup on their toes and apprehensive. He's also got seven wickets in an innings against the Australians in a Test match in Antigua. Darren Powell also played in that team.

You clearly haven't been keeping track of West Indies cricket. Jermaine Lawson is far from the bowler he was just last year. He's lost all his pace and now does virtually nothing with the ball. The fact that Tino Best got recalled to the team sooner than he did shows just how far out of it he is at the moment.

He's looked less effective than 2005 Ashes Gillespie in recent game.

Another familiar name is Carlton Baugh, the wicketkeeper. He was a replacement for the injured Ridley Jacobs when the Australians toured the West Indies in 2003, and hardly scored any runs, and his keeping wasn't very special either. Wonder how he's performing these days.

He's a slightly better wicketkeeper but the same kind of hit-for-four batsman. He needs to tighten up both aspects if he is to replace an in-form Denesh Ramdin. Granted, Ramdin hasn't been in form since Australia.

 

[Sanz]

both Kumble and Harbhajan can make the team, and that's over 700 wickets between them, making that a crucial pair.

Kumble and the kid from UP, they have close to 600 wickets between them, maan that would be a crucial pair.

also bring back Atul Bedade.

 

[roseboy64]

Wavell Hinds (capt), Chris Gayle, Donovan Pagon, Marlon Samuels, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wk), Jermaine Lawson, Tamar Lambert, Bevon Brown, Danza Hyatt, Andrew Richardson, Damion Ebanks and Donovan Sinclair

Does anyone have information on the prospects, talents etc in this group?

Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds should be fairly known about. Pagon is a batsman who's played a Test and looked fairly decent in it. Bit iffy. Marlon Samuels, one of the most talented batsmen in the West Indies and endorsed by Steve Waugh. Been troubled by knee and "attitude" problems. Powell and Taylor are promising fastbowlers. If Powell works on his fitness he could be good. Has troubled batsmen when he's played Tests. Taylor has been affected by injuries. Miller is one of the few young promising spinners in the West Indies. Baugh, good batsman if he gets going. Can be a bit hit and miss. Keeping has been poor but he's been improving and I;d think is fairly competent with the gloves at least. Lawson, injury problems again along with questions of his action. After being reported a secind time his pace has considerably decreased. Used to be very fast but with some work he could become a terrible pain for batsmen. Lamert is a mediocre batsman but a good captain. Richardson is a promising fast bowler who was outstanding a few seasons ago but injury set him back. Brown's a spinner and Hyatt's a batsman. Other two, no idea.

 

[Sanz]

Kaif scores only in bits and pieces, and hasn't yet got a century, even on a flat deck where his opposite number got into three figures.

He has to be in the team regularly to score some runs. You cant expect him to come in and score 100 only to be kicked out.

Btw - didn't he score a 91 or something which saved India from losing the 1st test against England ? Oh wait it has to be a 100 and he has to hit big sixes else he is not worth it.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Wavell Hinds (capt), Chris Gayle, Donovan Pagon, Marlon Samuels, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wk), Jermaine Lawson, Tamar Lambert, Bevon Brown, Danza Hyatt, Andrew Richardson, Damion Ebanks and Donovan Sinclair

Does anyone have information on the prospects, talents etc in this group?

Nikita Miller took a boatload of wickets last year in the Carib Cup, but did so without spinning the ball or doing anything more threatening than bowling accurately. He hardly goes for runs, but is very predictable and does not boast many variations. I would be very surprised if any Indian top or middle order player got out to him.

Daren Powell is on the verge of the Test team at the moment, along with about 3-4 other bowlers.

Tamar Lambert is the West Indian Cosgrove. He's been quite consistent over the past couple of seasons for Jamaica and almost always gets a start. He hasn't been able to convert those starts to big scores though, and his weight has made the him the butt of many jokes.

Andrew Richardson bowled very impressively this season, and continued that form when he got a chance against England 'A'. A bigger pace prospect than Jermaine Lawson and Tino Best at the moment. He could do some damage to the Indian top order.

Donovan Pagon debuted against South Africa last year, playing in the contract-worried Digicel West Indies team. He and Narsingh Deonarine played the first Test due to the unavailability of front-line players, and he batted very impressively for 35 in the first innings (WI batted just once). He then proceeded to be exposed with a severely flawed technique on a more normal Queen's Park Oval pitch in the second Test.

Pagon has been out of regional cricket for the most part since, due to injury. It would be good to see him back. He has good potential.

Jerome Taylor seems to have defied the odds for the moment and returned to his best form with the ball, despite some horrible injury worries over the past two years.

 

[Arjun]

Zaheer is ripping through county sides regularly, and took six more wickets. Would you like to see him back in the Indian side? In his younger days, at his peak, he was a lot more dangerous (and aso faster) than the current crop of Indian seamers, but due to lack of fitness culture and also leadership, he didn't last too long. So far, he's taken 16 wickets in 3 innings in a row. Let's just hope he's making the ball talk rather than leaving the results to the pitches and county batsmen.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Lamert is a mediocre batsman but a good captain.

I think Lambert has a lot of potential. He gets a lot of starts, and he's one of the most consistent Jamaican batsmen.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Zaheer is ripping through county sides regularly, and took six more wickets. Would you like to see him back in the Indian side? In his younger days, at his peak, he was a lot more dangerous (and aso faster) than the current crop of Indian seamers, but due to lack of fitness culture and also leadership, he didn't last too long. So far, he's taken 16 wickets in 3 innings in a row. Let's just hope he's making the ball talk rather than leaving the results to the pitches and county batsmen.

Good form, no doubt, but it seems seam bowling in general is not a hard occupation in England at the moment.

 

[roseboy64]

I think Lambert has a lot of potential. He gets a lot of starts, and he's one of the most consistent Jamaican batsmen.

That's why I think of him has mediocre. Never goes on to the big scores.