***Official*** West Indies in England

[roseboy64]

Smith's wicket to go soon now I expect with Swann on.

 

[tooextracool]

Think its just for a change of ends for the bowlers. Otherwise, this is a very poor move. Ball was doing a fair bit for Broad last over.

 

[wpdavid]

Maybe they've decided that Broad & Anderson should be the other ends and they didn't want to give Bres or Onions on debut a single over to allow the swap.

 

[GIMH]

Strange things are afoot. Strauss could be made to look like a genius here, or he could wind up looking like a prize tool

 

[roseboy64]

Anderson probably still feeling the effects of the hit.

 

[grecian]

Bizarre, wonder if Jimmy is fit after that blow....

 

[roseboy64]

I really can't believe Fidel's Test average. Pretty much every time I've seen him bowl he's been outstanding.

He's been unlucky and also has had dropped catches. WI one of the worst fielding teams in terms of catches the last few years.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well yeah, but it's not like he's going to bowl much slower with the older ball. I can see the difference between Bresnan/Onions with the new ball and Bresnan/Onions with the older ball being greater than the same difference with Broad - they move it more.

Swann opening as well, which I actually don't see as a bad move given Smith is opening... but why the **** is Broad opening ahead of Anderson!?!?

Safe to say Athers not in agreement. As close to angry as I've ever heard him.

 

[wpdavid]

Safe to say Athers not in agreement. As close to angry as I've ever heard him.

And I'd have to agree with him. If they don't trust Onions with the new ball, wtf is he in the side? It's overcast, it's an easy track, and the new ball won't stay new for long. We need to make this session count.

 

[GIMH]

Looking forward to hearing Strauss tell us why Swann opened, should be interesting

 

[Prince EWS]

Safe to say Athers not in agreement. As close to angry as I've ever heard him.

Well it could be argued that England gifted the West Indies 20 odd runs every innings in the winter by not bringing on Swann on as soon as Smith wandered out.

It's Broad that really confuses me.

 

[tooextracool]

This is ridiculous stuff. I can accept that they want to open the bowling with Swann, for whatever reason, but how the heck do you not have a swing bowler bowling at Gayle?

 

[_Ed_]

He's been unlucky and also has had dropped catches. WI one of the worst fielding teams in terms of catches the last few years.

That's true, but I don't think it's true to enough of an extent to explain an average of nearly 40.

 

[wpdavid]

Dare I say that KP's captaincy looks like a golden age when you see this sort of nonsense.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Windies rattling along. 24/0 off 4. Run a ball. Who needs 2020?!

 

[Goughy]

Swann opening as well

WTF is that all about? People trying to be too clever by half.

 

[GIMH]

6 an over, dire start

 

[_Ed_]

I'm guessing that one might be shelved before the Ashes.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Botham & Holding about to put the case for the fast bowlers union here. Offie wouldn't have opened in their day.

Ooo, close. Great call from the ump. Flicks the pad on the way through to the keeper but no bat. & 4 next ball. How often do you see that?

 

[Prince EWS]

That's true, but I don't think it's true to enough of an extent to explain an average of nearly 40.

There's also the fact that, his debut aside, he'd bowled absolute pies on a regular basis until about 18 months ago. This was partly due to having absolutely no First Class experience when he was picked and partly due to recurring injuries.

He's taken 41 wickets in the last year @ 29, and he's had a stack of catches dropped in that period as well. That reflects his recent bowling efforts pretty well IMO.