*Official* - India in West Indies

[Cevno]

Tough schedule for the guys who will play the Tests in WI and then straight after that in England. Most of the English players will probably have finished their series against SL by June 20, I guess.

Yeah!!

Though most of the first choice ,if not all Indian batsman should be well rested for the England series with them missing the tests or the ODI's here or both.
Only Kohli/Badrinath/Raina playing both tests and Odi's here.And Pujara may yet make the England tour ahead of them.


In terms of bowlers Ishant and Munaf are the only ones playing both series plus the spinners. Will have to be careful with Zaheer in the tests though in the Windies.

 

[Manee]

He has bowled the most maidens ever in IPL history and bowled 5 maidens in this IPL alone.

Don't think he was poor,though may not have had a great IPL.

O really. I did not know that. I guess he tends to be dangerous with the brand new ball and then hit around a fair bit with the older ball.

 

[Cevno]

Yep. He is pretty tough to get away with the new ball and can swing it early.

The problems occurs with him later on.

 

[Cevno]

Massive spin by Ashwin to get Simmons there.

What was the holdup about?

Edit - Simmons Unlucky as it went of the thigh.

And Fletcher cleaned up now by Munaf.

 

[Manee]

Wow, well done Munaf! Good ball.

 

[vcs]

He was not out. Bad decision there.

Munaf yorks Fletcher.

 

[shivfan]

Another poor decision....

That didn't hit the bat. It was thigh, and then helmet, and Simmons is given out.

 

[vcs]

Will Munaf play the Tests in WI? Could stake a claim for that third seamer spot. Been in decent form recently in the IPL.

Lovely straight drive by Samuels.

 

[Daemon]

Not only did it not hit bat, it hit the keepers helmet as well. Tough to pick up by the umpire but he shouldn't have given it out if he wasn't 100% convinced which I doubt he was

 

[Manee]

Ooh, c'mon Munaf. None of that crap in the slot.

 

[Manee]

Will Munaf play the Tests in WI? Could stake a claim for that third seamer spot.

Second seamer's spot! Munaf hasn't had a go for ages and he can offer a control that is lacking with Ishant. Could be vital on some of the slower pitches where it is essential to apply pressure.

 

[Cevno]

Will Munaf play the Tests in WI? Could stake a claim for that third seamer spot. Been in decent form recently in the IPL.

Lovely straight drive by Samuels.

He is in the squad as the 4th seamer so may play.

Not sure about him though ahead of the England tour. Can't really see him doing too well in England.
Though has looked more sharp in recent times and may do well in the Windies and so may Ishant.


Would like Praveen Kumar in the squad for the England tour though.

 

[Cevno]

Not only did it not hit bat, it hit the keepers helmet as well. Tough to pick up by the umpire but he shouldn't have given it out if he wasn't 100% convinced which I doubt he was

What's the rule regarding it hitting the helmet with the keeper wearing it?

Unlucky though to be given out.

 

[vcs]

Not too convinced about Praveen either. England's form against SL makes me feel very nervous about our attack TBH. Would Praveen really fare any better than, say, Lakmal? Then again, it's not as if we have great options.

 

[vcs]

Wow, they showed Viv Richards batting against Harbhajan there. WAG!

 

[Cevno]

Not too convinced about Praveen either. England's form against SL makes me feel very nervous about our attack TBH. Would Praveen really fare any better than, say, Lakmal? Then again, it's not as if we have great options.

In some conditions yes.

He swings the ball more than any other bowler we have and Swing bowlers tend to do well in England.
Could see him swinging it really big in some conditions with the new ball.

Lakmal is a different kind of bowler ,IMO.

Last time RP Singh of all people did pretty well to support Zaheer in England.

Sreesanth was crap though.

 

[Manee]

Not too convinced about Praveen either. England's form against SL makes me feel very nervous about our attack TBH. Would Praveen really fare any better than, say, Lakmal? Then again, it's not as if we have great options.

Praveen would be suited to a five man attack. He could take the new ball and then maybe have a spell or two in the middle if we keep the ball in good condition. You need to be more versatile than he is, to play in a four man attack in Tests, imo.

 

[Daemon]

What's the rule regarding it hitting the helmet with the keeper wearing it?

Can't get out caught if it hits a close in fielders/keepers helmet AFAIK

 

[Cevno]

@Manee

In england the ball the Duke ball does not get that weared down though that early as the conditions are not too abrasive.

He can also reverse it when required and bowl keep it tight lengths when they are required.

Would play him in traditional swing venues certainly.
It's not like Ishant or Sreesanth are a lesser risk than him in any case and Munaf with the length he balls is slightly on the shorter side for England is too much of a risk fitness wise in a test.
Loses steam too early.

 

[vcs]

Praveen would be suited to a five man attack. He could take the new ball and then maybe have a spell or two in the middle if we keep the ball in good condition. You need to be more versatile than he is, to play in a four man attack in Tests, imo.

Yeah, tend to agree, which is why I have some reservations about him.