***Official*** West Indies in New Zealand

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Well you've convinced me I'm biased. I still need at least two good consecutive seasons or some injuries for him to make the team though.

If we pick 4/5 seamers in a Test squad, who do you pick?

 

[roseboy64]

Currently or if everyone's fit?

If current, Bradshaw, Edwards, Powell, Taylor and maybe Dillon.

If fit, Collymore,Collins,Edwards, Powell and maybe Bradshaw.

 

[roseboy64]

Because you're the one who's missing the context entirely?

Fair enough.

NO. You missed the context to which I was replying in the statement you quoted.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

NO. You missed the context to which I was replying in the statement you quoted.

I disagree.

"He wasn't supposed to be average. If he was above average well no problem then."

Context = the state of West Indies cricket.
In context, Dillon is above average. His performance speaks for that much.
What have I missed?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Currently or if everyone's fit?

If current, Bradshaw, Edwards, Powell, Taylor and maybe Dillon.

If fit, Collymore,Collins,Edwards, Powell and maybe Bradshaw.

Right... because Powell > Dillon? And that's not a bias speaking? You honestly believe that?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Your point was very obvious, however this statement, "Dillon > any fast/fast-medium/medium-fast/medium bowler in the region bar Collins and Collymore." is questionable, as I'd have Bravo over Dillon given equal batting. I know its not a practical situation, as Bravo is a) Injured, and b) Picked as an allrounder, but the fact remains.

I was always ever referring to specialist bowlers in the region and the fact is that the West Indies will always pick at least 2 specialist seamers regardless of the role of Bravo in the team. As such, Dillon deserves consideration for one of those spots.

 

[roseboy64]

I disagree.

"He wasn't supposed to be average. If he was above average well no problem then."

Context = the state of West Indies cricket.
In context, Dillon is above average. His performance speaks for that much.
What have I missed?

The context was the 3 series you mentioned Dillon last played in.

 

[roseboy64]

Right... because Powell > Dillon? And that's not a bias speaking? You honestly believe that?

That's a bias against Dillon yes.

 

[Prince EWS]

I havent seen a lot of Powell, but from what I have seen, he's not fit to clean Dillon's shoes as a bowler.

If Dillon is in good domestic form (which he clearly is), then he should be picked over Powell every time.

 

[marc71178]

Since then, 10 tests, 50 wickets at 24.48.

Or rather 4 vs Bangladesh and Zimbabwe - 31 @ 12.10
6 vs others - 19 @ 44.68

 

[Will Scarlet]

Fulton needs to bat higher

Why the hell is Fulton batting below Styris? Because of Styris' extroadinary ODI statistics?!! And it's not as though Fulton stuffs around at the crease. Styris is an alrounder, of sorts!

And with the batting line-up used the other day I don't see why Marshall is retained ahead of another alrounder.

 

[shaka]

would it be bad to switch Marshall for the other Marshall in the black caps squad?

 

[Tim]

In fairness to James Marshall, I think the selectors were batting him out of position in test matches. He's not an opener, at least at test level anyway.
He's scored the runs batting down at 4 or 5 for N.D this season and he's building a strong case, but as have a number of other players...I think he'll find it tough to get back into the team.

 

[garage flower]

Mervyn Dillon may not be world class, but it's foolish to ignore him, because he's still one of the best we have. I was of the opinion that you pick your best team.

M Dillon
131 wickets in 38 Tests
33.57 average
3.03 econ
66.44 SR

CD Collymore
60 wickets in 19 Tests
31.36 average
2.91 econ
64.50 SR

PT Collins
96 wickets in 29 Tests
34.13 average
3.13 econ
65.26 SR

I keenly await your justification for leaving Dillon out of the picture, no less when Collymore and Collins aren't fit. Keenly await it.

But where Collins and Collymore appear to be generally on an upward curve in recent times Dillon - despite a match-winning performance in his 2-game domestic season - appeared to be in decline during his most recent international appearances. Seemed to have lost a lot of rhythm in his run up and action the last time I saw him, with a consequent loss of pace. Been in steady decline since the last home series against India from what I've seen.

With a full complement of players to choose from, I'd have Collymore/Collins/Edwards in the first XI, plus Bravo. If you wanted 4 specialist bowlers, I'd add a spin bowler. In terms of squad selection, I'd go for bradshaw as 4th pick and groom one of the younger bowlers if you were taking five (wherever you were going). Perhaps Kelly, Emrit or Taylor. Don't see much point in returning to Dillon on the back of 1 performance for T&T even if he is trumpeting his renewed enthusiasm for the game.

Haven't seen any of the cricket in NZ, but I'd still be resisting the temptation to return to a proven failure like Ganga. Assuming Bravo's injured my test XI would probably be:

Gayle
DS Smith
Sarwan
Lara
Morton
Chanderpaul
Ramdin
Lewis
Bradshaw
Powell
Edwards

Hardly an attack to paralyse the opposition with fear, but unless I've forgotten someone I think this is the best available at the moment.

Good to see the "A" team pulling off an unlikely win. Best and Lawson are in danger of dropping slowly off the radar though.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

But where Collins and Collymore appear to be generally on an upward curve in recent times Dillon - despite a match-winning performance in his 2-game domestic season - appeared to be in decline during his most recent international appearances. Seemed to have lost a lot of rhythm in his run up and action the last time I saw him, with a consequent loss of pace. Been in steady decline since the last home series against India from what I've seen.

With a full complement of players to choose from, I'd have Collymore/Collins/Edwards in the first XI, plus Bravo. If you wanted 4 specialist bowlers, I'd add a spin bowler. In terms of squad selection, I'd go for bradshaw as 4th pick and groom one of the younger bowlers if you were taking five (wherever you were going).

I'm not promoting Dillon over Collymore or Collins, or even Edwards. I'm saying that it's disappointing that with Collins and Collymore out, people like Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor (he's far from ready for international cricket) get picked ahead of him.

Perhaps Kelly, Emrit or Taylor. Don't see much point in returning to Dillon on the back of 1 performance for T&T even if he is trumpeting his renewed enthusiasm for the game.

At the time that Dillon was dropped he certainly was not the worst of the West Indies bowlers and was actually one of the few who was not getting smashed all over. That's the crux of my point. Regarding Kelly and Emrit, they're not ready for Test cricket. Kelly will probably play in the home ODI series though.

As I stated above, I think playing Taylor at this stage will do him more harm than good. It's a similar situation to taking Lawson to Australia.

Haven't seen any of the cricket in NZ, but I'd still be resisting the temptation to return to a proven failure like Ganga.

Played a good knock in the first match. Got out trying to force the pace chasing a huge NZ total in the last match, and got a superb yorker from Bond in the one before. I'd really only fault him for his dismissal in the 2nd ODI.

Assuming Bravo's injured my test XI would probably be:

Gayle
DS Smith
Sarwan
Lara
Morton
Chanderpaul
Ramdin
Lewis
Bradshaw
Powell
Edwards

Hardly an attack to paralyse the opposition with fear, but unless I've forgotten someone I think this is the best available at the moment.

Morton likely will play ahead of Ganga, but I can easily see Ganga knocking up a ton in a tour match and making things interesting. He's a better player now. Whether or not he's good enough for international cricket yet, I can't say.

Good to see the "A" team pulling off an unlikely win. Best and Lawson are in danger of dropping slowly off the radar though.

Apparently Lawson looks a rank medium pacer at the moment. Considering how quick and well he bowled in Sri Lanka last year, it's really shocking. I've heard cynical supporters comparing the man to a spinner in the recent 'A' match.

Best apparently bowled with fire and had a couple catches dropped off him early. He started well in the match, but degenerate to bowling too short by the second innings.

 

[roseboy64]

Lawson's problem is probably being reported to the ICC. Didn't look the same bowler in Sri Lanka the match after he got reported again.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Lawson's problem is probably being reported to the ICC. Didn't look the same bowler in Sri Lanka the match after he got reported again.

Not much mental strength then. It wasn't the first time he was reported and he came back superbly the first time around.

 

[roseboy64]

Took him quite a while though the first time. Of course that was coupled with his injury but after that still took him some time. Hoepfully he'll be able to regain his form from after the 2003 WC.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I think the injury is more pertinent, and the gross mismanagement by the selectors to take him to Australia.

 

[Blaze]

With just the one game left, I still have no idea about how the panel are going to whittle down a test XII.

Seeing an overall consensus of CW opinions might help me out I think. 2 pts for each name correct, 1 additional pt for getting their position in the batting order right.

Poster with the lowest score has to wear an avatar chosen by the winner perhaps....

How
Fulton
H Marshall
Fleming
Astle
Vincent
McCullum
Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Bond
C Martin (might be better to have Papps (yes, Edwards v. Papps would be must-watch TV....) or Styris' name listed here, just in case I got the top 6 woefully wrong. Also wondering about Bracewell's liking for having a second spin option on hand, perhaps making Patel a 12th man candidate, despite his poor FC record.)

IMO they will go for

How
Fulton
Styris
Fleming
Astle
Vincent
Franklin
McCullum
Vettori
Mills
Bond
Patel