***Official*** West Indies in Australia

[honestbharani]

Didn't Ganga make good runs the last time he played against the Aussies?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He scored two brilliant hundreds in successive innings. He continued onward and averaged less than 35. Basically, he did nothing else. Yes, he played well for those hundreds, but a Test class player carries on from such a brilliant start to the series. At the very least he should have averaged over 40.

 

[honestbharani]

Well, it is a shame then. I am always unable to explain why players like him and Ramprakash didn't do well at the international level. They have techniques like Dravid.... well, almost.

 

[Mister Wright]

Well, it is a shame then. I am always unable to explain why players like him and Ramprakash didn't do well at the international level. They have techniques like Dravid.... well, almost.

They probably don't have the mental capabilities to make it at test level.

 

[honestbharani]

They probably don't have the mental capabilities to make it at test level.

yeah, I know, but most people struggle to explain that phrase you just said... "mental capabilities/capacities"

 

[roseboy64]

The ability to deal with the pressures linked to having to perform consustently especially moving up to international level. In the case of the West Indies not just one country is counting on you but quite a few to say the least.

 

[Don]

and ganga hits 112 in the practice match

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He's scored Test and First Class hundreds before. I don't see why this century does any different to press his claim. That said, I'd be thrilled if he did well, if he somehow managed to get recalled. I just don't think he should be recalled. Unlike Devon Smith, Ganga got a long run in the side and proved himself sufficiently inadequate.

 

[Don]

i kno it doesnt really say much but i want hin to get another chance.i think he might do better this time around

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

i kno it doesnt really say much but i want hin to get another chance.i think he might do better this time around

What's different this time as opposed to the last couple of times, when he's been in form and gotten the call? If he can't push on after consecutive centuries against one of the best teams of all-time, what's to say he'll do so now?

 

[SupaFreak2005]

i kno it doesnt really say much but i want hin to get another chance.i think he might do better this time around

Nah, I'm with Liam on this one Ganga is a piece of ****!

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Best thing to do would be to try him in a dead Test - the Windies middle order aren't getting any younger.

 

[garage flower]

Agreed. If Collins isn't match fit (and I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't), I'd have Powell in there ahead of him. I don't think they'll leave out one of the genuinely quick bowlers. Granted, the selectors may pleasantly surprise me.

My ideal XI:

CH Gayle
DS Smith
BC Lara - I prefer him here, rather than 4. I'd trust him more than Sarwan against the new ball, should Gayle/Smith fail.
RR Sarwan - right-hander breaks the left-handed monopoly.
S Chanderpaul - I still don't think he's a very good captain, but they can't sack him now.
RO Hinds/N Deonarine - more technically able than Hinds to deal with Warne IMO.
D Ramdin +
DJJ Bravo - I think he's talented enough to play a Flintoff role and bat at 6 in the future, but not quite ready yet.
DB Powell
PT Collins
CD Collymore

There are so many "potentially potent" quicks in the region that it's difficult to choose 3 to accompany Bravo, who I believe must be there. If Collins is fit, he has to be in the team, purely on the basis of what he showed last time around. Collymore is our most accurate bowler and can definitely play a role if he finds the length he's found so far this year.

Daren Powell is a tough call ahead of Lawson or Edwards. He's an exceptional bowler though, IF he gets his fitness and stamina worked out.

Yet to be convinced by Daren Powell having watched him during the home series, though he appears to have upped his game in Sri Lanka. I think the Aussies would flay him.

Bravo almost seems to be a negative selection and must be rustier than most, but the batting would look very fragile without him, so he'd probably get the nod in my ideal XI:

Gayle
Devon Smith
Sarwan
Lara
Chanderpaul
W Hinds (played well against Pakistan; Deonarine isn't ready in my view)
Bravo
Ramdin
Collymore
Collins
Lawson

This assumes the 3 bowlers are fully fit. Might also be a case for including a fully fit Edwards at the expense of Bravo, though the risk of playing 4 no. 11s and the weakened fielding probably outweighs Fidel's extra penetration (and an in-form Bravo is arguably one of the best 4 bowlers anyway).

 

[garage flower]

Best thing to do would be to try him in a dead Test - the Windies middle order aren't getting any younger.

A better thing to do would be to avoid mentioning "Daren Ganga" and "international cricketer" in the same sentence. Not that you did (though the implication was enough).

Notable exception would be: "Ex-international cricketer Daren Ganga today announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. Ganga admitted: "Despite been given numerous extended chances by my friends on the selection panel, I have clearly proven - on numerous occasions - that I don't have what it takes at the highest level. I really don't know what more I could have done to avoid my regular recalls, but hopefully this announcement will do the trick."

 

[Don]

and after that announcement the wicb announces the team to go to aus and ganga is in it

 

[roseboy64]

So sad to see such false hope.

 

[Don]

false hope is the best hope man

 

[roseboy64]

If you say so.

 

[Don]

yea i say so

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

To post it where it's relevant.

Contract disputes over.

Full-strength side to tour.