**Official** West Indies in South Africa Thread

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Dwayne Bravo is a very talented, explosive batsman and a fast improving seam bowler. Personlly I don't think he's ready yet, but I am certain that, bar injury, he will be in West Indies colours in the near future. Still only 20.

Dwayne Bravo

The person I'd like to see in for Banks is Ryan Hinds (no relation to Wavell). A talented left-handed batsman with good technique and an above average spin bowler.

Ryan Hinds

I don't think Breese is suited to South African conditions with the ball, though his batting would prosper as he prefers facing pace bowling.

 

[marc71178]

Be interesting if Breese is selected.

I assume this is the one who's looking to play for Durham next season, but does a National Call-up prevent him being English?

 

[garage flower]

I was under the impression that Ryan Hinds had gone backwards a bit since he made the Windies team. Still, he would be pretty much a "like-for-like" replacement so I would be fairly happy with that.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He hasn't been as sharp as he was pre-Windies, and he hasn't bowled as much as used to, which is a shame. However, he score 329 runs (36.55 avge) and took 5 wickets (20.4) in 7 games in this year's Carib Cup.

 

[garage flower]

You've got your wish Mr M. Ryan Hinds is on his way apparently, but won't be available for the 1st test. I'm pleased they haven't gone for another quick.

 

[Mister Wright]

Windies Draft In Paceman

 

[James90]

Mr Wright...i was at your exact location on Thursday...as in last Thursday

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Sanford in... Windies say no to Hinds

 

[amits]

Mr Wright...i was at your exact location on Thursday...as in last Thursday

how come :O ?

and james90, u said once that u went to the match on thursday and sat behind the bowlers arm. i saw u there

 

[V Reddy]

and james90, u said once that u went to the match on thursday and sat behind the bowlers arm. i saw u there

Jeez you are damn good in making friends. You have already seen his pic and even recognised him on TV in the ground during that match :O

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The Wanderers pitch is 'a belter'.

My hopeful XI. No surprises here.

WW Hinds - Hinds should face IMO.
CH Gayle
D Ganga
BC Lara *
RR Sarwan - at 5 he has the best chance to bat w/Lara.
S Chanderpaul
RD Jacobs +
VC Drakes - if fit, else D Mohammed
M Dillon
CD Collymore
FH Edwards

If Drakes is not fit, they will play R Rampaul though.

Interesting and relevant comment from Lara:

"We spent a month playing international cricket before this tour, not a week sitting in a hotel room in London."

Of course he's referring to the standoff and minor strike held between the WICB and the players last time 'round. This time, injuries aside, we're more prepared.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I know it would be a risk, but I would play Mohammad from the start, to give them a spin option (including Gayle, of course) after all, Edwards was played after 1 FC game!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I don't understand the comparison between Edwards and Mohammed though. Mohammed has played 16 FC games over 3 seasons.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Exactly. Thats not alot. Edwards was picked after 1 game. I would pick him to give them a spin option, with Banks gone, and for the fact that chinamen are rare, so they can prove to be a suprise package

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Considering that team play 7-9 domestic FC matches per year, 16 games is alot of experience. The key being that he's played 3 seasons. 16 games is also considerably more than 1 and 52 wickets is considerably more than 1.

Mohammed is not inexperienced.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Ok. That wasn't really my main point. My main point was that I would play him, to give them a spin option.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I would pick him to give them a spin option, with Banks gone, and for the fact that chinamen are rare, so they can prove to be a suprise package

But who would you drop?

Dillon, who has more wickets than the rest of the attack combined and the only one with over 100 wickets?

Collymore, the most consistently penetrative West Indian bowler of 2003 who is in fantastic bowling form?

Edwards, who has been in tremendous form since debut?

Drakes, who has been the most consistent West Indian bowler and the only bowler who bowled well basically throughout against Australia? He's also, the player in the team who has vast experience of playing cricket in South Africa and the best bat of all the bowlers.

Who would Mohammed replace?

 

[Tom Halsey]

Dillon, who has more wickets than the rest of the attack combined and the only one with over 100 wickets?

Yes, but his average nor his form are that great. He is who I would replace

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

No surprises in first Test XI

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yes, but his average nor his form are that great. He is who I would replace

And yet Mr. Dillon was the best West Indian bowler...

SA 96/0 (25 overs)

Edwards and Collymore weren't consistent enough in line, but Dillon and Drakes did well in this respect.