***Official*** West Indies in Zimbabwe and South Africa

[silentstriker]

This partnership is building up. WI don't have a big score so SA will be on top if this continues for another 20-30 runs.

 

[silentstriker]

SA can set their sights on a lead now. Even a 30-40 run lead could be huge in a game like this.

 

[TT Boy]

Dale Steyn apparently did his hamstring as well as Fidel Edwards (both due to the ****ty outfield) so South Africa could be missing him in the second innings. Andre Nel and Ntini will have to step up there games if that is the case.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Injury concern over Taylor too, so not quite balanced. Still would be good to have Steyn out of the mix.

 

[TT Boy]

Injury concern over Taylor too, so not quite balanced. Still would be good to have Steyn out of the mix.

Well he cameback to bowl so he must have been relatively ‘ok’. Neither Edwards or Steyn could take to the field again due to the 'severity' of their injuries.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Would love to have Darren Sammy (or Amit Jaggernauth) in this side right about now.

 

[TT Boy]

Yeah, Sammy like Shaun Pollock, only to a lesser extent would have be a good bowler on this surface. It’s the short pitched inclined merchants such as Nel and Powell who are really made to suffer on this wicket. And due to the outfield you can practically afford to bowl a fuller length like Bravo did, for the batsman have to time the pants of the ball to get a two, let alone a four.

 

[Perm]

**** sake the outfield in this game is diabolical.

 

[TT Boy]

Edwards participation in this match has been confirmed as over. The West Indian selectors are still hopeful that he will take some part in the tour and will not consider a replacement until Edwards injury can be accurately assessed. RSA coach Mickey Arthur has said Dale Steyn is a now a doubt for the rest of this game and probably Durban.

Steyn’s hamstring problem developed early on Wednesday but he carried on through to the close, only for the injury to worsen over night. Steyn had a similarly niggling injury when he faced the Indians at Newlands a year back or so but was able to bowl at a reduced pace and still ended up contributing to a South Africa with four second innings wickets. South Africa will be hoping for a repeat performance if Steyn is able to take to the field, if not, then it's a huge blow to South Africa’s chances of a win.

And De Wet or Zondeki for Durban if Steyn is missing.

 

[TT Boy]

Apparently it’s the fifth time of his career that Fidel Edwards has done his hamstring in a test match and consequently been unable to continue bowling. Pretty large number considering his played less than 30 test matches.

 

[Perm]

And De Wet or Zondeki for Durban if Steyn is missing.

Good choices. Pretty obvious that Pollock won't be picked, so it would be really good to see how many more decent fast bowlers South Africa have. Add that left-armer, Tshbala or whatever he's called

 

[Beleg]

Edwards is useless.

 

[roseboy64]

onyl 10

Yes. Samuels very unlucky..

Yeah forgot him.

Say what? Ramdin is leagues better than Baugh with the gloves. Ramdin looks far more natural than Baugh. Baugh looks like a batsman who took up wicketkeeping. You've got to be kidding me if you put Baugh on the same plane as Ramdin with the gloves.

I think Ramdin is obviously better with the gloves. Just countering your point of having read that Browne is better. Still heard that a good source indicates Baugh's keeping is vastly better now. Also, heard Tamar Lambert praise his improvement today.

That's insane. You never play a second string team in Test cricket. These aren't one-day internationals. West Indies can't afford to concede Tests purely because the series is won. West Indies need to win everything they can.

This would be the worst selection move by West Indies in ages.

Only selections that would be bad in that team are Parchment and Lewis. Considering the form of Ganga and Ramdin, and the injury concerns of Gayle and Edwards, with the series being won and no need to risk the latter two that team may just end up playing. Maybe Taylor for Lewis. Not insane. Asking for an innings defeat though.

 

[roseboy64]

Edwards is useless.

No Lewis is useless.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah forgot him.

I think Ramdin is obviously better with the gloves. Just countering your point of having read that Browne is better. Still heard that a good source indicates Baugh's keeping is vastly better now. Also, heard Tamar Lambert praise his improvement today.

Only selections that would be bad in that team are Parchment and Lewis. Considering the form of Ganga and Ramdin, and the injury concerns of Gayle and Edwards, with the series being won and no need to risk the latter two that team may just end up playing. Maybe Taylor for Lewis. Not insane. Asking for an innings defeat though.

No, it is insane. Your team selection should not depend on whether the series is live or not. It's test cricket - the whole fabric of it will divide at the seams if you start selecting less than your best team.

 

[roseboy64]

That team isn't solely dependent on the series being live or not. Rethought it though and would say:

Gayle/Smith
Ganga
Morton
Chanderpaul
Bravo
Ramdin
Sammy
Powell
Taylor/Lewis
Collins

 

[Corli]

Good choices. Pretty obvious that Pollock won't be picked, so it would be really good to see how many more decent fast bowlers South Africa have. Add that left-armer, Tshbala or whatever he's called

You mean Tsotsobe? Tshabalala bowls off-breaks

 

[Perm]

You mean Tsotsobe? Tshabalala bowls off-breaks

Always get those two mixed up. But yeah, Tsotsobe has turned in some impressive performances as of late, and being a left-armer would add some variety to the bowling attack. I think he should be in the selectors mind.

 

[Perm]

Boucher gone, good knock though.

Bravo having a very good series as a bowler.

 

[Laurrz]

Bravo (the bowler) likes South African conditions it seems..
a bit jealous of the bowlers over there.. when i see bowlers in the current test in Syd having to slog it out ..*sigh