*Official* Match 36 - England v West Indies

[Woodster]

Am surprised that England have opted for Wright, Tredwell and Tremlett. If we lose expect them to shift some of the blame onto Wright and Tredwell for a failed campaign and we won't see them again for some time in an England shirt. Not sure it's a selection they have any real conviction behind, just because they are yet to play in this tournament, the selectors have thought they can't do any worse, and if we don't play them we will be lambasted for selecting them in the squad in the first place.

Like the option of Tremlett, not too sure how much Luke Wright will give us, he is capable of clearing the boundary in the closing overs perhaps something we have been lacking. Tredwell I expect to be steady if unspectacular.

As for WI, the axing of Chanderpaul is as big a surprise, it does expose that middle order appreciably.

Caution seems to be the order of the day so far agasint Roach, and rightly so he is their main dangerman and we can afford to be patient and wait for anything loose. Prior looking in reasonable touch, not a fan of him at the top but fingers crossed he'll prove me and a number of others wrong today.

 

[shivfan]

Apparently Miller is to be dropped and Bishoo will make his debut tonight. There's a few other rumours circling around on Caribbeancricket.com around the supposed team tactics. Not sure how reliable they all are though

They called it right, didn't they?

But nobody saw Shiv being dropped....

 

[longtom]

Without Chanderpaul the WI setup looks lopsided. I reckon they might rue that decision. Especially in tight games experience can not be bought.

 

[TT Boy]

The Benn tactic didn't work. Prior is a pretty good player of spin and Benn is a pretty poor spin bowler, so it wasn't the wisest decision from Sammy.

 

[Burgey]

That's a hideous mow by Strauss. Got four though.

 

[Adamc]

Ugh. Not liking this. Strauss pulling ****ing everything. Think he might get a big score today.

 

[Spark]

Strauss catching a rather nasty case of Haddin syndrome - lots of shots, not that many runs

 

[M0rphin3]

Looking good Straussey

 

[Spark]

And just as I say that, Strauss finds his timing. Or so it would seem.

 

[Woodster]

The Benn tactic didn't work. Prior is a pretty good player of spin and Benn is a pretty poor spin bowler, so it wasn't the wisest decision from Sammy.

Tbf worth a try against Prior early in his innings when he is not as fluent against slow bowling and prefers the ball coming on.

Apart from when he loses his middle stump to Russell! D'oh!

 

[Burgey]

That's damaged.

 

[Spark]

Lol, well played Prior. Excellent shot to a straight ball

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Nice ball. This guy seems to have potential.

 

[SeamUp]

This Andre Russell has a big future for the Windies.

 

[Daemon]

Prior wtf? You can't get bowled against those kind of deliveries while opening the batting ffs.

 

[grecian]

Well, not disappointed, that's about as good a start as we can expect from Prior. Still a decent start for us.

 

[TT Boy]

21 is a pretty decent effort from Prior.

 

[shivfan]

A mixed over there by Russell....

Wicket of Prior, boundaries to Trott.

 

[Daemon]

Think mid off could've dived to stop it

 

[Woodster]

Prior went nowhere in that stroke, completely caught on the crease. An innings that typifies Prior's career in that position, couple of flashy boundaries but not enough end product, although will be enough to keep him at the top for the next game, hopefully we have another game in this competition.

Trott looking excellent, three beautifully executed boundaries in that over.