***Official*** West Indies in Australia

[age_master]

Nice to see he's still a bitter little something or other. Wouldn't want to show any maturity, now, would we Ricky?

And incidentally I don't believe him for a second - as if Australia are going to pick up any random club cricketer and send him on to field for them. What if they did and he dropped a catch? How much of an idiot would Ponting look then? Silly little midget-man.

actually there was a guy in the pavillion in whites who i didn't recognise, probably one of the net bowlers who is a reasonable fielder...

 

[Mister Wright]

I think you'll find Kyle that everyone agrees that if Clarke has a poor summer he should be put on notice or dropped outright.

The point is that he was a long way from the worst batsman in the Ashes, is generally getting starts and looks pretty good, and dropping him right now would be a stupid move. Give him the series against the Windies and see how he goes, and how the middle order goes. I'd support dropping Katich first of all the batsmen right now, and I'm a big fan of his, but I'm more worried about his performance than Clarke's right at this minute.

I hate how people over-rate Clarke's peformance in the Ashes. He had just as many starts as Hayden, and with basically the same innings (Hayden's 10th was a 0 not out). He only score 17 more runs than Hayden and averaged only 2 more runs than Hayden. People were bagging Hayden's series, yet it is pretty much equal with Clarke's statistically. You could say that Hayden didn't look as good as Clarke during the series, but that is debatable, he was dropped several times, including early when he got that 91 and should have converted his stats. The way people rate Clarke's Ashes series you would think he scored 600 runs @ 55. He didn't. He made 335 runs @ 37.22 (Hayden - 318 runs @ 35.33).

 

[Mister Wright]

Lawson wasn't match fit. He was injured since Sri Lanka, and had ankle (?) surgery. He then returned and participated in the training camp, but didn't play the KFC Cup. He also missed the warmup match, so he was really in no shape to even be in Australia, let alone playing the first Test. That said, I stand by my comments that I'd have a fit Lawson ahead of Edwards and Best..

Agreed. He didn't look like he was match fit at all yesterday, he had no rythum, although he did bowl some good spells. Bravo wasn't that bad in the tour game, and surely his batting would be an added benefit. I think you're a bit harsh on Edwards, he had a very good early spell and was unlucky not to get more wickets.

Denesh Ramdin is a very gutsy batsman. Sort of a Taibu type of player. Good technique and all the heart in the world.

Well, let's hope he can show some fight with the bat for the series, because he is going to need to if the Windies top order doesn't fire.

Daren Powell has bowled quite well with the new ball this year, so I think that was the consideration. Then Edwards shared it with him due to his raw pace and aggression.

Powell was very good in the tour game, however with the Windies bowling first and the conditions suiting swing bowling early, he may have had more of an effect early.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Agreed. He didn't look like he was match fit at all yesterday, he had no rythum, although he did bowl some good spells. Bravo wasn't that bad in the tour game, and surely his batting would be an added benefit. I think you're a bit harsh on Edwards, he had a very good early spell and was unlucky not to get more wickets.

Having seen most of last 4 Tests of the Ashes, I really missed Bravo's reverse swing yesterday. Picture him bowling from the other end (especially to Gilchrist) during Collymore's superb spell.

Regarding Edwards, I'm not referring to this Test. I mean that in general Lawson gets it right more often than Edwards does. If they were both consistently near or at their best, Edwards would be my choice any day of the week. Fidel Edwards is one of the most potent bowlers in the world when he gets it right. Sadly, he generally doesn't. He's raw.

Lawson rose through the ranks of West Indies cricket. He's a far more complete bowler. No comment on his elbow though. If it's good enough for the ICC, I'm not one to complain.

Powell was very good in the tour game, however with the Windies bowling first and the conditions suiting swing bowling early, he may have had more of an effect early.

Powell gets the ball to swing and shape though. It was a tough decision really. Of the bowlers in this team, Powell has perhaps been the most consistent this year (bar Gayle), but Collymore really seemed to take on another dimension when he played Pakistan earlier this year. It was down to picking between potentially your best bowler and your best bowler at the moment.

 

[Mister Wright]

ARGH! It's raining in Brisbane atm. Damn! Will I ever get to see Brian Lara play a decent innings in Brisbane!?

 

[Pratters]

ARGH! It's raining in Brisbane atm. Damn! Will I ever get to see Brian Lara play a decent innings in Brisbane!?

I want to see Lara bat too.

I hope it stops soon cos the match is scheduled to start in 2 hours 2 minutes.

 

[Mister Wright]

I want to see Lara bat too.

I hope it stops soon cos the match is scheduled to start in 2 hours 2 minutes.

Are they starting early to make up for the lost overs?

It looks like it was just a short shower, and the radar doesn't have much around, however it is still overcast.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Pssht. Rain or not, Lara's not going to bat on day two. Warne, Lee and co. will be knocked over swiftly and the West Indian top order will ensure Lara doesn't bat until the early movement on day three has disappeared.



Rally...

 

[Pratters]

Are they starting early to make up for the lost overs?

It looks like it was just a short shower, and the radar doesn't have much around, however it is still overcast.

I missed out the 0. Meant two hours twenty minutes.

 

[Pratters]

Rally...

yeeah ma'an. Rally 'round the West Indies!

 

[Top_Cat]

I hate how people over-rate Clarke's peformance in the Ashes. He had just as many starts as Hayden, and with basically the same innings (Hayden's 10th was a 0 not out). He only score 17 more runs than Hayden and averaged only 2 more runs than Hayden. People were bagging Hayden's series, yet it is pretty much equal with Clarke's statistically. You could say that Hayden didn't look as good as Clarke during the series, but that is debatable, he was dropped several times, including early when he got that 91 and should have converted his stats. The way people rate Clarke's Ashes series you would think he scored 600 runs @ 55. He didn't. He made 335 runs @ 37.22 (Hayden - 318 runs @ 35.33).

I haven't seen anyone say anything like that at all. Most people are of the same opinion that Clarke's numbers don't tell the whole story and that he was far from the worst Aussie batsman all tour.

As fro Haydos, his tour was flattered by that last-ditch ton. Without it, his numbers would have been significantly worse. He definitely looked in worse touch than Clarke did before that knock.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I haven't seen anyone say anything like that at all. Most people are of the same opinion that Clarke's numbers don't tell the whole story and that he was far from the worst Aussie batsman all tour.

As fro Haydos, his tour was flattered by that last-ditch ton. Without it, his numbers would have been significantly worse. He definitely looked in worse touch than Clarke did before that knock.

Clarke always looked far more comfortable at the crease in getting whatever runs he did get. I think that's the main thing really. He was never very assured, but Hayden was all over the place for the most part.

 

[howardj]

The some speculation that Damien Martyn is on the verge of being recalled

 

[Pratters]

The middle order looks weak without Martyn. Lacks the solidity. It would really surprise me if he is not recalled in the near future.

 

[social]

Aside from Collymore, WI were pretty average.

Fortunately for them, so were most of the Aus batsmen.

 

[superkingdave]

one for Linda maybe

http://www.martosscapegoatservices.ucc.org.au/

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Aside from Collymore, WI were pretty average.

Fortunately for them, so were most of the Aus batsmen.

Agreed. That's why I can't understand why the headlines suggest that Australia had a better day. Let's break it down:

- Best team in the world vs one of the worst.
- One of the most potent batting lineups in the world vs one of the least proven bowling attacks.
- Flat pitch. Inserted.

At the end of the day, Australia scored a good number of runs, but they lost 7 wickets. Few would have picked the West Indies to have 7 wickets on this pitch by the close of play. IMO the West Indies didn't bowl that well (bar Collymore), but they had a much better day.

Australia may still cross 450/500 on this pitch, but they should have done it with much greater ease than they will if they do.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Australia may still cross 450/500 on this pitch, but they should have done it with much greater ease than they will if they do.

I don't wanna tempt fate too much, but that's extraordinarily pessimistic! Warne & Lee are both pretty tidy with the blade, but Bracken & McGrath definitely aren't. New ball's there ready as well.

If Oz get to 400 they'll have done well.

 

[Pratters]

Australia may still cross 450/500 on this pitch, but they should have done it with much greater ease than they will if they do.

Despite the partnership the score stands at 340/7. I dont expect Australia to make any thing more than 400.

I would say the Windies had a very good day actually. The Aussies could not handle a bunch of talented and/or inexperienced youngsters plus Collymore. If you remove the 149 of Ponting, and the ongoing partnership of Warne and Lee, there isnt that much left.

All the runs do count but surely the Australians would have liked to have better efforts than a score of around 400 reached courtesy of a solo inning and some lower order salvos.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I hate how people over-rate Clarke's peformance in the Ashes. He had just as many starts as Hayden, and with basically the same innings (Hayden's 10th was a 0 not out). He only score 17 more runs than Hayden and averaged only 2 more runs than Hayden. People were bagging Hayden's series, yet it is pretty much equal with Clarke's statistically. You could say that Hayden didn't look as good as Clarke during the series, but that is debatable, he was dropped several times, including early when he got that 91 and should have converted his stats. The way people rate Clarke's Ashes series you would think he scored 600 runs @ 55. He didn't. He made 335 runs @ 37.22 (Hayden - 318 runs @ 35.33).

I am aware Hayden's stats are only marginally worse.

Hayden scored a century in the final test. It was a very good century, and saved his career. In the first four tests, he looked absolutely and utterly woeful, and any bowler who got any movement looked about to knock him over at any moment, in most of his innings. He played a couple of knocks where he seemed more assured, including the second innings at Lords (I think it was Lords, where he played on from a pull shot) and his century. The main difference is that Clarke looked comfortable and assured every time he was out there.

Anyway, whether you think he looked better or not is really not the point. I think you'll find that most people (including the selectors) will rate Clarke's series a pass while Hayden's was a definate fail up until the last test where he saved his career, but either way Clarke does not deserve to be dropped after that Ashes series. He didn't set the world alight, but he wasn't that bad either, and two 50s and a series of starts in a low scoring series against a good attack isn't woeful. If he doesn't make runs against the Windies he will be under severe pressure, and could well be dropped in the later part of the summer or at the end of it. I would expect Katich would go first, as his Ashes series was worse, he is older and has had more tests to cement his place. There are clearly four batsmen in the Australian top 7 who could potentially be dropped some time this summer though, and Clarke is one of them. Doesn't mean he shouldn't be in the side right now.