***Official*** South Africa v West Indies

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Lara is Nel's bunny

Nel and I disagree. Lara would be Nel's bunny if Nel genuinely felt hey could get Lara out every time he bowled to him. I very much doubt Nel is that stupid.

 

[shaka]

I would like to see what happens to WI if Lara was not picked for the next test. I reckon they would play more as a team

 

[aussie]

I would like to see what happens to WI if Lara was not picked for the next test. I reckon they would play more as a team

on past evidence mate, that has actually happened, againts India in India 2002, vs Zim Pak in the caribbean in 2000 & the 1st test of the current series, it shocks me how a player of his callibre fails to inspire a team captaincy wise nor has a batsman

 

[tooextracool]

Gayle continues to get picked because he's shown he's capable of scoring runs against quality bowlers. Anyone who has watched him in the Test matches leading up to this series will know that he has certainly matured as a batsman.

yes hes shown that hes CAPABLE of scoring runs against quality bowlers on flat wickets in a few series. in fact thats all hes showed over a 6 year career. and then hes followed those series up with such fabulous performances too.
this maturity you speak off, i believe mindless slogging is now referred to as mature, especially when it pays off. and lets not even talk about his maturity off the field.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

yes hes shown that hes CAPABLE of scoring runs against quality bowlers on flat wickets in a few series. in fact thats all hes showed over a 6 year career. and then hes followed those series up with such fabulous performances too.
this maturity you speak off, i believe mindless slogging is now referred to as mature, especially when it pays off. and lets not even talk about his maturity off the field.

When exactly did Gayle mindlessly slog in England?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

on past evidence mate, that has actually happened, againts India in India 2002, vs Zim Pak in the caribbean in 2000 & the 1st test of the current series, it shocks me how a player of his callibre fails to inspire a team captaincy wise nor has a batsman

The only thing that would show is that Lara takes away from potential inspiration with his presence.
Consider that the only time the West Indies has competed with Australia in the last 3 series was on the inspirational batting of Brian Lara. The only time the West Indies batting showed guts against England last year was on the batting of Lara.

With regards to the series against India, do you consider Hooper a more inspirational individual then?

 

[tooextracool]

When exactly did Gayle mindlessly slog in England?

pretty much every game of the series. it payed off for him though, but it doesnt pay off over an entire career.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

pretty much every game of the series. it payed off for him though, but it doesnt pay off over an entire career.

Please define mindless slogging.

 

[honestbharani]

Windies got a trashing in the first two tests of that series Vs India and managed a draw on an Antigua-esque wicket at the Eden. Nothing special, really..... And remember in 2000, they were playing at home with Ambrose and Walsh in the side.... They even managed to draw with Australia the season before and won against England 3-1 in 98. It happened in a period when they always did well at home and they had a few experienced guys in the batting department as well who managed to put up decent scores and gave Ambrose and Walsh enough to bowl out their opposition with. Don't see what good Lara's absence did to them in that series. You guys have proven that you have a bit of a personal agenda against Lara so far and I don't think there is any reason to continue this as you will not open your minds to these facts.

 

[Pratters]

I don't think you're being fair on Gayle. He's had a couple of poor Tests, but the best of players have had bad trots. Chris Gayle made huge steps last year towards becoming a Test player of true quality. Many (including myself) predicted Gayle to fail miserably in England. Instead he was a rare bright spot for the West Indies. He played very well and averaged 50 in that series. I can't help but think that the layoff for the first Test has harmed Gayle no end.

I dont think Gayle maximises potential. He showed he has abilitiy in England with the average of 50 as you point out. But how many times have we seen Gayle play well time and again. I would like to see Gayle score many more runs than he does. I do think he has a bit of a problem with shot selection or else his average would be much higher over all.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I dont think Gayle maximises potential. He showed he has abilitiy in England with the average of 50 as you point out. But how many times have we seen Gayle play well time and again. I would like to see Gayle score many more runs than he does. I do think he has a bit of a problem with shot selection or else his average would be much higher over all.

His shot selection did improve over the past year, even in the Carib Beer Series. He just looks terribly out of it now. The key is that he looks to be lacking confidence. I've never seen Gayle without an air of confidence. That worries me. He's bowling better than ever though.

 

[Pratters]

His shot selection did improve over the past year, even in the Carib Beer Series. He just looks terribly out of it now. The key is that he looks to be lacking confidence. I've never seen Gayle without an air of confidence. That worries me. He's bowling better than ever though.

For a period yes the shot selection had improved but I want to see him show it for a much longer period.

The bowling aspect, he did take some wickets in the last test but I have never rated him as a bowler. Its just me and my aversion with lollipop off spinners.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

For a period yes the shot selection had improved but I want to see him show it for a much longer period.

The bowling aspect, he did take some wickets in the last test but I have never rated him as a bowler. Its just me and my aversion with lollipop off spinners.

As long as a player is not surrendering runs and is taking wickets, I don't care how threatening he looks. As far as I'm concerned, that's a successful bowler.

 

[marc71178]

I would like to see what happens to WI if Lara was not picked for the next test. I reckon they would play more as a team

Yes, but they'd also be rolled for about 100 in each innings.

 

[SJS]

I would like to see what happens to WI if Lara was not picked for the next test. I reckon they would play more as a team

Yes. I agree.

Today with Lara scoring 200 and all others 10 (+/- 5) each it does look like he is totally out of sync with the team

 

[Steulen]

Yeah, right.

I say go find ten blokes who do not walk onto the field thinking "Ah, Lara will get us 200, doesn't really matter what I do".

 

[aussie]

Gayle & trescothick are pretty similar techically wise, so when they are out of form their technical flaws will show up, but when they are in form its awfully though bowling to them.

But one huge difference between the lads is that Tres is more mature has a batsman & u wont see him getting out playing stupid shots like gayle, also when put under pressure by tight bowling Tres would more battle out while Gayle would throw his wicket away

 

[aussie]

The only thing that would show is that Lara takes away from potential inspiration with his presence.
Consider that the only time the West Indies has competed with Australia in the last 3 series was on the inspirational batting of Brian Lara. The only time the West Indies batting showed guts against England last year was on the batting of Lara.

With regards to the series against India, do you consider Hooper a more inspirational individual then?

geeeeeee liam dont quite get you their mate

 

[aussie]

Yes, but they'd also be rolled for about 100 in each innings.

hehe, true that marc

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

geeeeeee liam dont quite get you their mate

I'm not quite sure how else I can phrase it.