***Official*** West Indies in Australia

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

They beat New Zealand in New Zealand easily with Kaspa averaging 39 with the ball and Gillespie 45. Why because Mcgrath averaged 15 & Warne 22. The two tests they lost in England Mcgrath didn't play even then it took an outstanding in England to Narrowly beat them. Sri Lanka have won dozens of tests on the back of one great bowler.

One whole series? Wow. Well you just conclusively over-rode my point there. Well done. I'm no match for you.

I ask the question again even with tthose weak links (which I agree are pretty poor) who is going to beat Australia up to the next ashes series.

And I'll repeat, I don't care. It has nothing to do with my point or the discussion at hand, so I could care less if Australia were to be invincible for the next 12 months.

 

[honestbharani]

I was worried about Lara's form till today. But that 36 gives me some hope. But this Aussie attack looks too strong for the Windies, honestly. Their only hope is that either McGrath or Warne gets injured or something.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I'm not saying the West Indies will do any better against it, but I don't think the performance of the World XI justifies this Australian attack as incredibly strong. The World XI has looked like an uncohesive group of players with no real desire. On the other hand, the Australians needed to win this series. Some would say that the Australians are simply the better team, but I disagree. I think the Australians are the only team.

 

[roseboy64]

Possibly could would still make the Aussies heavy favourites home & away.

It might be improbable but it's not impossible.

 

[Arrow]

So whats the go with the Frank Worrel series from now on? Will it always be a feeble 3 test series or just in the Australian summers? I think its very sad that they have broken great tradition and diminished it to 3 tests.

 

[howardj]

So whats the go with the Frank Worrel series from now on? Will it always be a feeble 3 test series or just in the Australian summers? I think its very sad that they have broken great tradition and diminished it to 3 tests.

The way the Windies are playing these days, they should think themselves lucky for the series not to be downgraded to a one-off, three day game, played every leap year. Seriously though, they are a terrible side - no heart whatsoever.

 

[Arrow]

The way the Windies are playing these days, they should think themselves lucky for the series not to be downgraded to a one-off, three day game, played every leap year. Seriously though, they are a terrible side - no heart whatsoever.

Thats true but i didnt see the ashes being reduced in the last 15 years when england sucked.

 

[Mister Wright]

really? you'd think then that his ER would be considerably better than 4.96. he was wayward for most of it, and the fact that he picked up wickets of ordinary balls made people sit up,as though he bowled more accurately than hes ever bowled.

An economy rate of 4.96 when a team is chasing a large total and scoring quickly is quite good and taking wickets is not a bad thing. I think you're just sticking the boot in for no good reason here.

 

[chalky]

One whole series? Wow. Well you just conclusively over-rode my point there. Well done. I'm no match for you.

And I'll repeat, I don't care. It has nothing to do with my point or the discussion at hand, so I could care less if Australia were to be invincible for the next 12 months.

Of courses it has to do with your point. You have been saying that it is not possible for Australia to win series with only two quality bowlers.

No. My point is that you're not going to win Test series (as in plural) with just two great bowlers. This implies some consistency

So If they win all their series between now and the next ashes series (which I think they are heavy favourites to do) - combined with their win against New Zealand that would not demonstrate some consitency?

 

[Jono]

No. My point is that you're not going to win Test series (as in plural) with just two great bowlers. This implies some consistency. According to your point, Australia should never lose a series again, until these two retire. That's stupid. I can assure you that until Australia finds some support for Warne and McGrath, they will not consistetly win series. If the best of the rest average over 40 (ala the Ashes), Australia will not be a force.

Australia will not be a force? Are you serious?

A lot of other sides are lucky to have one all time great bowler in their team. Australia have 2. And if Australia do annihilate every team they face from now till the Ashes, that IS consistency. They've only lost one series for Christ's sake.

So tell me, with you 'assuring' us that Australia will not win consistently unless they find back-up, who is going to beat them? Don't say England, because that's obvious and if England do beat Australia in the next Ashes series, that doesn't mean Australia are no longer a 'force' in international cricket.

 

[tooextracool]

So good the selectors dropped Caddick for Mike Smith during the series.

no so good that he took 2 5fers and 1 f4er in the series at an average of 26. his being dropped for mike smith was part of the usual stupidity of the selectors.

 

[tooextracool]

An economy rate of 4.96 when a team is chasing a large total and scoring quickly is quite good and taking wickets is not a bad thing. I think you're just sticking the boot in for no good reason here.

taking wickets with what? if he had bowled good balls to take wickets then yes, he should be given credit. when you bowl rubbish balls and take wickets and yet go for runs you're not exactly anything brilliant. and of course we saw how much his bowling has come on in the test match didnt we?

 

[Chubb]

Wouldn't normally post on this thread but... is this how professionals warm up for a tour against the World Champions?

From the Devon Cricket Website

TINO BEST TEAMS UP WITH LOCAL TALENT



By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE


TWO Devon cricketers bumped into West Indian Test star Tino Best while on a university tour of Barbados – and talked him into playing in the rest of their matches.

James Woodruff, who plays for Brixham, and Paignton's Neil Mantell, were touring Barbados with Cardiff University CC.

The pair met best while on a night out and asked him to guest for them the following day.

Best enjoyed himself so much he ended up playing five times for the touring students. He scored 249 runs and took 11 wickets.

“He was slightly coy, but turned up at the ground the following day with all his Test kit, smashed a cameo 54 - took three wickets for nine runs,” said Mantell.

Best is the fourth fastest bowler in the world with 11 Test caps to his credit. He used Cardiff 's games to prepare for the West Indies tour of Australia this winter.

Journalism student Woodroof, who was Cardiff's first-team captain last season, batted with Best three times and sharing partnerships with him of 79 and 88.

During the tour, Woodroof scored 92 runs for his side and took two wickets. Mantell made 72 runs and took nine wickets, including an incredible spell of five for 36.

The university won three of their six matches against some strong opposition including players who represent Barbados alongside Best.

The students also met other Test players including Fidel Edwards and Corey Collymore.

Woodruff said Best came across as a dedicated professional whose enthusiasm for the game rubbed off on the Cardiff players.

“He taught the players so much, not just about the skills of cricket, but the attitude required to succeed,” said Woodruff, who played for Kingsbridge before joining Brixham this year.

“He wanted to win more than anyone, taking every ball as seriously as the last, even to the point of sledging the younger opposition!”

“But under that fearsome exterior lies one of the nicest and most generous men in cricket.”

On the final evening of their tour, the squad sat alongside Best and his girlfriend during dinner at an Indian restaurant.

“He thanked the side for making him feel like a genuine Cardiff player, and promised to dedicate his maiden five-wicket Test match haul or half century to the team,” said Woodroff. “It was an incredible moment.”

Mantell said: “He has become a great friend of ours. He has had a difficult life and still holds his roots close to his heart.

Contact details were swapped over dinner with promises to keep in touch, especially when the West Indies tour England next summer. The tour was sponsored by Mantell's current employer

It wasn't just two Devon players Tino met either, Upottery's opener Matt Button-Stephens was on the tour too. I have to ask him about Tino when I get back home.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Wouldn't normally post on this thread but... is this how professionals warm up for a tour against the World Champions?

No. Professionals warm up by playing at the highest level of domestic cricket, which Best did, playing for Barbados as they reached the final of the KFC Cup, which was played on Sunday.

He bowled 9-0-55-0 in that final, and his tournament figures were:

6 Matches
4 Wickets
Avge: 44.00
SR: 55.50
Econ: 4.75
BB: 2/34

 

[Chubb]

It's just the way he said he was using it as a warm-up, that's all. It wasn't meant to be hyper-critical of Tino, I'd love to see him dedicate a five-fer to Cardiff University.

 

[SupaFreak2005]

LARA FAKES IT??​

The Gossip: This just in: Our resdient gossiper in Australia has found out that there is a very deceptive reason behind Brian Lara's poor performance in the current Australia vs The World series. The reason our very sly reporter has found, is that Lara is apparently working on a top-secret new stroke, something the world has never seen and is promised to shock to cricketing world! As he has been afraid that he might slip up and give away his secret tactic, he has deliberately been playing poorly, saving his mighty stroke for the upcoming Australia vs West Indies series that is soon to be played. When asked about these allegations all Lara had to say was "No comment" further confirming the secrecy of his new diabolical plan.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It's just so devious, it's genius! (or should that be the other way around?)

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

No. My point is that you're not going to win Test series (as in plural) with just two great bowlers. This implies some consistency. According to your point, Australia should never lose a series again, until these two retire. That's stupid. I can assure you that until Australia finds some support for Warne and McGrath, they will not consistetly win series. If the best of the rest average over 40 (ala the Ashes), Australia will not be a force.

Sorry, but this is ludicrous. McGrath and Warne have won series where all others failed plenty of times in the past, and will continue to do so, provided they are fit and playing at their best. Besides, Lee and MacGill, whatever might be said about them, are better than plenty of other bowlers in the world and are decent support anyway.

And, as far as Australia not being a force is concerned, when someone actually beats them with McGrath and Warne playing the whole series (which hasn't happened in over four years), you might have a point.

 

[Mister Wright]

taking wickets with what? if he had bowled good balls to take wickets then yes, he should be given credit. when you bowl rubbish balls and take wickets and yet go for runs you're not exactly anything brilliant. and of course we saw how much his bowling has come on in the test match didnt we?

I fail to see how bowling batsman and getting them out LBW is poor bowling.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Sorry, but this is ludicrous. McGrath and Warne have won series where all others failed plenty of times in the past, and will continue to do so, provided they are fit and playing at their best. Besides, Lee and MacGill, whatever might be said about them, are better than plenty of other bowlers in the world and are decent support anyway.

And, as far as Australia not being a force is concerned, when someone actually beats them with McGrath and Warne playing the whole series (which hasn't happened in over four years), you might have a point.

Last 8 series with both players participating (aside from 2005 Ashes):

Australia in New Zealand 04/05 - won 2-0
Warne 17 @ 22.00
McGrath 18 @ 15.72
Next best - Kasprowicz close to 40. - fair enough

Pakistan in Australia 04/05 - won 3-0
Warne 14 @ 28.71
McGrath 18 @ 14.44
Support: Kaspa and MacGill under 22.

New Zealand in Australia 04/05 - won 2-0
Warne 11 @ 23.27
McGrath 9 @ 20.44
Support: both Kaspa and Gillespie under 25.

Australia in India 04/05 - won 2-1
Warne 14 @ 30.07
McGrath 14 @ 25.42
Support: Gillespie sub20, Kaspa sub30.

Sri Lanka in Australia 04 - won 1-0
Warne 10 @ 28.00
McGrath 10 @ 17.10
Support: Kaspa 25.12, Gillespie 30.

England in Australia 02/03 - won 4-1
Warne 14 @ 24.78
McGrath 19 @ 20.00
Support: Gillespie 20 wickets @ 24.60

Australia in Pakistan 02 - won 3-0
Warne 27 @ 12.66
McGrath 14 @ 10.85
Support: Bichel 8 @ 13.25

Australia in South Africa 01-02 - won 2-1
Warne 20 @ 22.10
McGrath 12 @ 18.91
Next best: Gillespie at over 35 - fair enough

Whilst both players are matchwinners and amazing bowlers, I just think the reason Australia has been so successful has been the presence of a Jason Gillespie or a Kasprowicz there with them. The reason I say this is because they are human, and do have poor or mediocre matches, albeit very irregularly. For a team to win consistently, there must be a bowler there who can step up when the big guns don't fire.

Yes, they've managed to bowl Australia to series victories before, despite not receiving support, but in the game of cricket such things do happen occasionally. It can be argued that India beat Australia in 2001 on the back of two men also, but that doesn't mean that India can flourish without support for those two players.