***Official*** West Indies in Australia

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Well at least that somewhat justifies his selection.

Bradshaw is by far a better bowler, and a more mature, if less skilled, batsman than Smith. I'd most likely back him to score more runs than Smith against the Australian attack.

Banks, IMO, is both a better bowler and a better batsman than Smith by a long distance, and he also offers variation with his bowling.

Then there are Ryan Hinds and Deonarine... are they injured by any chance?

I'd generally support that Bradshaw point, but then I have memories of that ridiculous waft he played against Pakistan earlier this year.

Hinds and Deonarine are fit, but Hinds looked woeful at times during the KFC Cup. Terrible form really, and not much bowling. Deonarine continues to show potential.

 

[vic_orthdox]

a pass-mark in England

Still can't agree with you or Faaip that a mid-30s average for a series can be given a "pass" mark.

 

[chalky]

Haha. Edwards/Powell/Collymore/Lawson isn't the worst bowling attack from a top test nation for one, I'd rather face Martin/Franklin/Mills/Oram/Vettori for one.

You missed Shane Bond out of that list.

and the Windies didn't bowl brilliantly but they were a long way from "well below their best", aside from Lawson

If that wasn't below their best i'd hate to see them when they are bad. Lawson was terrible Edwards had two good overs - which were made to look better than they were by Watson. Thats half your bowling attack not performing.

To suggest this team "can't" make a big score against a decent attack is ridiculous

Depends on what you class as a big score (I think I said over 500). And at this moment with the form that the batsmen are in I can't see Australia scoring over 500 against a decent attack. Infact I would put money on it & have.

.

 

[Prince EWS]

You missed Shane Bond out of that list.

Bond didnt play in the recent series against Australia though, and thats what he was referring to.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Things are going to be very difficult for batting this morning. I'm almost hoping Australia gets knocked over quickly so that McGrath and Lee can bowl in these conditions. Not to mention Bracken.

 

[chalky]

Bond didnt play in the recent series against Australia though, and thats what he was referring to.

My comment wasn't in a past tense though.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Ooh, Ramdin is human.

 

[Natman20]

New Zealands bowling attack aint that bad.
We will just see about in the series against west indies next year. I still wouldn't rate west indies higher

 

[Prince EWS]

New Zealands bowling attack aint that bad.
We will just see about in the series against west indies next year. I still wouldn't rate west indies higher

NZ has a distinct weak link in their attack though.

Bond, Franklin and Vettori are all good bowlers, and Oram does enough in the allrounder's role, but the final cog in the bowling attack is either Mills or Martin, which is a great concern.

West Indies have a number of options, including Collymore, Edwards, Powell, Lawson, Collins, Bravo and even Best that are superior to the likes of Mills and Martin. I also rate Banks as test standard, but no-one else seems to so Ill leave him out.

 

[chalky]

Fidel Edwards creating some nice rough there for Warnie. Just outside the left handers off stump. Only 4 of the top 5 are south paws.

 

[Top_Cat]

Still can't agree with you or Faaip that a mid-30s average for a series can be given a "pass" mark.

In isolation, maybe. Taken into account the relative series of guys like Haydos (minus his Oval ton), Martyn and Katich, it's not abysmal. That's my rationale anyway.

 

[tooextracool]

is it possible for edwards to bowl worse than he has today?

 

[Prince EWS]

is it possible for edwards to bowl worse than he has today?

You and I both know that he himself has achieved this near-impossible task in the past...

 

[vic_orthdox]

In isolation, maybe. Taken into account the relative series of guys like Haydos (minus his Oval ton), Martyn and Katich, it's not abysmal. That's my rationale anyway.

Just because your side lost doesn't mean that doing relatively well, in comparison to your team-mates, deserves a pass. IMO.

 

[chalky]

NZ has a distinct weak link in their attack though.

Bond, Franklin and Vettori are all good bowlers, and Oram does enough in the allrounder's role, but the final cog in the bowling attack is either Mills or Martin, which is a great concern.

West Indies have a number of options, including Collymore, Edwards, Powell, Lawson, Collins, Bravo and even Best that are superior to the likes of Mills and Martin. I also rate Banks as test standard, but no-one else seems to so Ill leave him out.

Bond & Vettori are world class bowlers and wuld get into most test sides none of the Windies bowlers come close to those two.

 

[Top_Cat]

Just because your side lost doesn't mean that doing relatively well, in comparison to your team-mates, deserves a pass. IMO

Yeah but the other stuff I saw, I can't quantify. Just the way he appeared at the crease he looked like he was hitting the ball well. Plus, as I said earlier, the way he batted in the short innings like in the second Test and a couple of others meant, to me, that his stats don't tell how well he batted. Not that he was MUCH better than his stats though.

Okay, I'll downgrade him to a Conditional Pass if he does a supp exam and scores 55% or more.

 

[roseboy64]

Is it me or the do the West Indies have a problem getting tailenders out? I first saw it against Bangladesh and now it's over in Austarlia.

 

[Prince EWS]

Bond & Vettori are world class bowlers and wuld get into most test sides none of the Windies bowlers come close to those two.

No, but you cant get by with just two bowlers.

Mills and Martin wouldnt even get into a West Indies A side, and I dont think Franklin would be assured of a game every time either.

NZ have two top class bowlers, but they are also being forced to play a few that arent really test class at all (Mills, Martin) and some that are borderline (Franklin, Wiseman) in order to complete their lineup. West Indies have a number of bowlers who, when fully fit, would are completely above the likes of Martin and Mills. Collymore, Edwards, Powell, Lawson, Collins and Bravo are good bowlers when fully fit, and most certainly better than Martin and Mills.

If the Ashes taught us anything, it was that 4 good bowlers is superior to 2 great bowlers and 2 poor ones.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think Lawson needs to be given a bowl. I may be mistaken, but I think he has a pretty good record of cleaning up the tail.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Lee continuing to impress with the bat. Career average of almost 21 now.