**Official** West Indies in South Africa Thread

[Craig]

It was a joke. Roger Harper must be pulling his hair seeing that.

Smith should declare overnight. Lara should drop Ganga down the order and open with Hinds and Gayle and Lara should come in at 3.

You will have to change positions for people, but if you go for the win you with have to do that.Lara might wish he had Ricardo powell in the side.

 

[luckyeddie]

Smith should declare overnight. (rest snipped)

I don't see why.

First priority - make sure you win the series.

Saying that, I'd love it if they do - and for Crystal to come off again and set up a magnificent run chase.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It was a joke. Roger Harper must be pulling his hair seeing that.

Smith should declare overnight. Lara should drop Ganga down the order and open with Hinds and Gayle and Lara should come in at 3.

You will have to change positions for people, but if you go for the win you with have to do that.Lara might wish he had Ricardo powell in the side.

You honestly believe that the West Indies will try to win this game? Suicide.

Lara should bat at 4 and let Sarwan bat where he's batted best - 3.

 

[Craig]

Why not?

I would rather lose going for a win then lose not trying to win and going for a draw.

Anyway Smith has Kallis, Pollock, Ntini And Nel in his arsenal.

So WI will go for a boring draw.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The West Indies team has proved capable of record-breaking run-chases, but that team had Chanderpaul in it. This team had Dwayne Smith. The required run rate will be 4.88

By all means the West Indian players should go out there and play their natural game (except Smith who would end up out for his average again) and see what happens. That way you're not playing for a draw and neither are you allowing yourself to be intimidated by thoughts of such a massive victory target.

 

[luckyeddie]

Why not?

I would rather lose going for a win then lose not trying to win and going for a draw.

Anyway Smith has Kallis, Pollock, Ntini And Nel in his arsenal.

So WI will go for a boring draw.

Why not? Because Graeme Smith is a ruthless S.O.B., that's why. I wouldn't be surprised to see South Africa bat until tea.

I'm not saying that's what will happen - heaven forbid.

 

[Craig]

Actually I think Dwayne Smith has a pretty good technique. Good score runs over the years. He has potential IMO.

 

[Jono]

God I hope they declare, I want to see a great run chase tonight.

 

[Adamc]

The West Indies team has proved capable of record-breaking run-chases, but that team had Chanderpaul in it. This team had Dwayne Smith. The required run rate will be 4.88

The RRR is actually 'only' 4.2, because they will play 105 overs today to make up for lost time. Most of the team naturally score close to this rate so there could be a chance if they have plenty of wickets remaining in the final session. Provided Smith declares overnight, of course.

 

[luckyeddie]

South Africa HAVE declared on their overnight total.

Could be interesting

 

[Craig]

Good on him. He obviously wants a 4-0 series win.

 

[Jono]

*Prays for a great run chase by the West Indies*
Even though Chanderpaul isn't in the team, it's still a possibility and I want some good cricket tonight after watching a great Sydney Test Match.

 

[Adamc]

Looks like the Windies are having a go. Lara and Sarwan have put on a stand of 54 in 11.3 overs so far, Lara has 30 off 36. Lost both openers though, currently 2/96 off 25.

 

[luckyeddie]

170-2 off 43 with Sarwan and Lara looking very comfortable indeed.

Both are batting sensibly, steadily accumulating runs at a fraction under the required rate.

I know it's a massive 'if', but IF they can keep going at this rate until tea, the chase could be on.

 

[Adamc]

170-2 off 43 with Sarwan and Lara looking very comfortable indeed.

Both are batting sensibly, steadily accumulating runs at a fraction under the required rate.

I know it's a massive 'if', but IF they can keep going at this rate until tea, the chase could be on.

200 comes up in 57 overs, Lara and Sarwan still going strong. Required Rate up to 5 an over, but if they get to tea with 8 wickets in hand they will surely fancy their chances.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Interesting. I thought SA would walk it.

 

[luckyeddie]

LARA GONE!!!

The South Africans have applied superb pressure over the last hour or so, just as the West Indians were getting towards half-way to the target and into one-day land.

That could mean they put the shutters up and play for the draw now

 

[Adamc]

LARA GONE!!!

The South Africans have applied superb pressure over the last hour or so, just as the West Indians were getting towards half-way to the target and into one-day land.

That could mean they put the shutters up and play for the draw now

Hinds gets off the mark with a slog sweep for 4. Personally I think WI should play their shots 'til Tea, then re-assess the situation from there. On the evidence of the first innings, Dwayne Smith looks naturally aggressive, Jacobs can be when the mood takes him and there is a reasonably long tail. Two wickets before Tea will shut WI out of the game.

 

[Adamc]

Hmm, the final session is going to be a marathon 42 overs. A draw looks most likely, with 230 runs still needed and 7 wickets in hand. Hopefully Sarwan can get a century.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Hmm, the final session is going to be a marathon 42 overs. A draw looks most likely, with 230 runs still needed and 7 wickets in hand. Hopefully Sarwan can get a century.

No he can't...

WI 165 behind with 25.2 ovs left.

Pollock to take the new ball as soon as Kallis ruins the old one.

Smith and Hinds doing very well to defend - let's see what Pollock and Ntini can do with the cherry