***Official** West Indies in England***

[GIMH]

Whoa, just saw Mascarenhas' economy rate. Good stuff sunshine

 

[Richard]

WI will be pretty happy with this, won't they? Admittedly I haven't seen a single delivery, but in the conditions you'd really expect about 90 for 4 at this stage.

It's funny, you know - expectations would have been that things'd be really bowler-friendly... but I can't say they really have been. Has just been some good l&l bowling (especially from Mascarenhas). The pace was starting to be picked-up against the other bowlers in the last few overs, though.

 

[Richard]

No rain? :o

Spoke too soon!

Doesn't look like it's set-in, though.

 

[Richard]

You have to fancy Samuels chances against Yardy, no? WI looking set for 270+ if he stays in.

I would, certainly, but knowing him he'll probably hit one straight up.

If, of course, he gets the chance - Yardy might be whipped off after this rain-break and someone like Anderson brought on.

 

[Richard]

Whoa, just saw Mascarenhas' economy rate. Good stuff sunshine

And with one or two exceptions (got away with 2 wides, one of which would possibly have gone for 5 had Chanderpaul not reached it and hit it straight to a fielder) he's bowled extremely well, totally outperforming the other seamers.

Great to see.

 

[Stapel]

Haha, Prior takes the bails off before Samuels lifts his foot!

He should have taken a stump, immediately after it!

 

[Richard]

Another half-century for Shiv.

 

[Richard]

And with one or two exceptions (got away with 2 wides, one of which would possibly have gone for 5 had Chanderpaul not reached it and hit it straight to a fielder) he's bowled extremely well, totally outperforming the other seamers.

Great to see.

And this is really good, too - soon as Samuels starts making it obvious he's going on the offensive, Mascarenhas starts bowling a few slower ones.

Sadly, Samuels manages a six eventually.

 

[gio]

I see WI getting at least 275 if the weather holds up.

Mascarenhas has done well though, I'm pleased about that. We need wickets though!

 

[wpdavid]

Another half-century for Shiv.

It was always daft having him at 5 in these games, and he's really provided a platform for some end-of-innings fireworks. Any time now, one would imagine ..

 

[Xuhaib]

So Shiv is offically the new "Andy Flower" of this decade.

 

[Stapel]

Windies entering the slog overs with 8 wickets in hand!
Over 41: 9 runs
Over 42: 11 runs
Over 43: 18 runs

And still 8 wickets!

 

[Richard]

Chanderpaul gets one to land right between 3 fielders!

 

[Richard]

Something I'd not noticed before now is that there are really no death-bowlers, at all, in this side. Anderson is the nearest you'll come to one, and even he's not good at all.

Thankfully Mascarenhas hasn't been tried, but Sidebottom at this time of the innings induces cringe.

 

[wpdavid]

Something I'd not noticed before now is that there are really no death-bowlers, at all, in this side. Anderson is the nearest you'll come to one, and even he's not good at all.

Thankfully Mascarenhas hasn't been tried, but Sidebottom at this time of the innings induces cringe.

He wasn't great at the other end of the innings, either. tbh I think we're really paying the price for not making any significant use of the new ball. Whoever bowls now would probably cop a hiding from two top batsmen who are well set.

 

[wpdavid]

Nice reward for Broad after 2 very good overs at this stage of the game.

EDIT
And another. Good comeback by the youngster, given the carnage at the other end.

 

[Poker Boy]

Something I'd not noticed before now is that there are really no death-bowlers, at all, in this side. Anderson is the nearest you'll come to one, and even he's not good at all.

Thankfully Mascarenhas hasn't been tried, but Sidebottom at this time of the innings induces cringe.

But surely that just proves how dumb our selectors are. They must know when they pick the team they need "death" bowlers - so ehy pick a team full of those who don't do it? Surely a key in ODI cricket is that each player should know his role in the team - and be able to do it? Mind you in fairness to Ryan, four singles and a wicket = good last over. We'll need to bat well to chase 279 and it will be interesting to see how we exploit the PPs this time. Windies were more agressive than we were on Sunday. Chanderpaul up to No 3 - good decision. Monty out of team - bad decision....Yardy and Mascarenas were OK in terms of economy but you need wickets in middle overs....I don't care who you are you can't score at any rate when you're in the dressing room...

 

[andyc]

How gun does Chanderpaul want to be??

 

[roseboy64]

I'm honestly not sure. It might be what'd be best to give them a chance to win games in this series - and only might - but ITE that's not the important matter, what is is building a team for WC2011. I'd presume Chanderpaul will still be around for that tournament, playing the Lara of 2007, so IMO they have to try and get something more out of Gayle and someone else. I've never been much of a Devon Smith fan in the shorter game but I can't see any other specialist openers bashing down the door at present.

Wonder what Wavell Hinds is up to at the moment (Xavier could probably tell us), not that I was ever in favour of him opening but he surely has to be a better bet than some of the nonsense of late if he's still playing at a decent level?

Didn't really perform well in the regional season. Not bad but not exceptional. Scored some runs in club cricket though. If he performs anything like credible in the next season he should be considered IMO.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Something I'd not noticed before now is that there are really no death-bowlers, at all, in this side. Anderson is the nearest you'll come to one, and even he's not good at all.

That was a point I was thinking of as well. Anderson imo should bowl 8 at the start and 2 in the middle overs (30-35). Broad is the probably the nearest England have to a death bowler. Yardy, who I thought was underbowled today could also do a good job at the death imo.