***Official*** West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, November/December 2021

[morgieb]

I wanna see if the other Karunaratne can play tests. He would solve so many of their balance issues alongside DDS and Shanaka, if all 3 play. Even better if they can get Hasaranga into the test set up. A 5-8 of those 4 would be amazingly good core for all conditions and al formats.

Unless he’s dramatically improved he’ll struggle, IMO. Bowled about as badly as anyone I’ve seen in Sri Lanka’s last tour here.

 

[morgieb]

Sri Lankan players of late seem to pull these brilliant rescue acts out of nowhere. Chandimal v India, Kusal v SA and now DDS.

Mendis against Australia too. Weird side, is Sri Lanka.

 

[honestbharani]

Unless he’s dramatically improved he’ll struggle, IMO. Bowled about as badly as anyone I’ve seen in Sri Lanka’s last tour here.

C Karunaratne?

 

[morgieb]

C Karunaratne?

Yeah, he played in the Canberra Test down here.

 

[GotSpin]

This pitch doesn’t look crazy right now…

 

[Aritro]

Hopefully this latest spate of adventurous strokeplay is a sign they'll try and win it now.

 

[Aritro]

Oh dear, that's a terrible pull shot from Hope. He had all the time in the world to get on top of it and hit it into the ground.

 

[GotSpin]

Seriously Chase has to go

 

[straw man]

Hopefully this latest spate of adventurous strokeplay is a sign they'll try and win it now.

literally moments later lose 3 wickets

 

[Aritro]

literally moments later lose 3 wickets

Yeah, FFS

 

[pomnotenglish]

Waste Indies...meeting a familiar end.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

There’s no such thing as going back to the drawing board with these guys. They can’t bat to saves their lives.

 

[Beamer]

The definition of madness is to..... you get the picture.

Chase and Hope have to go back to FC cricket. The torture has gone on long enough. The next series is against England in March, by which time we will in theory have had some FC cricket and hopefully there will be one or two decent new options to try.

R.e Bonner and Mayers, at least Bonner is consistently batting time. I still think he's had a pretty good start to his career. Mayers has been slightly disappointing but it's too soon for him to be dropped. His bowling will also prove useful in the Caribbean.

 

[Beamer]

There’s no such thing as going back to the drawing board with these guys. They can’t bat to saves their lives.

Chase and Hope have averaged 17 or less for 3 years now. I mean what the hell is Roger Harper on?! The likes of Vishal Singh got 2 tests to prove themselves. Bajan passport is strong!!!

 

[Migara]

DDS not only batted but caught like a dream.

Mendis was brought in as the third spinner, but he is the one who has out performed two main spinners. Up to now he has been disappointing with the bat. He should be allowed to use the long handle, at least against spin, which he is good at. He and DDS are to grab the all rounders spot. Things will get interesting if SL wants to play three pacers, Mendis and DDS with an additional batting options when traveling.

 

[Beamer]

DDS not only batted but caught like a dream.

Mendis was brought in as the third spinner, but he is the one who has out performed two main spinners. Up to now he has been disappointing with the bat. He should be allowed to use the long handle, at least against spin, which he is good at. He and DDS are to grab the all rounders spot. Things will get interesting if SL wants to play three pacers, Mendis and DDS with an additional batting options when traveling.

Things are definitely looking up for Sri Lanka at the moment, investment in youth seems to be beginning to reap rewards.

 

[Beamer]

There’s no such thing as going back to the drawing board with these guys. They can’t bat to saves their lives.

Another rant. I hear loads of comments about how young this group of batsmen is and therefore they are being given time. This is a load of rubbish. The average age of this batting line up (positions 1 to 8) is 29. Sri Lanka's average age was exactly the same. So no excuses.

Surely it's time for radical ideas and to try something new.

 

[Migara]

Another rant. I hear loads of comments about how young this group of batsmen is and therefore they are being given time. This is a load of rubbish. The average age of this batting line up (positions 1 to 8) is 29. Sri Lanka's average age was exactly the same. So no excuses.

Surely it's time for radical ideas and to try something new.

I'd say bring in Pooran and Hetmyer.

Braithwaite, Blackwood, Bonner, Hetmyer, Myers, Pooran, Holder, Da Silva, Permaul and two pacers would do very good for WI.

On Spinning wickets, you might even push Da Silva up because he knows very well to take up time in the middle.

 

[Beamer]

I'd say bring in Pooran and Hetmyer.

Braithwaite, Blackwood, Bonner, Hetmyer, Myers, Pooran, Holder, Da Silva, Permaul and two pacers would do very good for WI.

On Spinning wickets, you might even push Da Silva up because he knows very well to take up time in the middle.

Agreed! Alternatively if a couple of new people excel in the 4 day season, bring them in. I was surprised at how comfy Blackwood looked opening, but I think he will struggle against seamers in helpful conditions. I presume Solozano will get a run as opener now.

Also agree that Josh is being wasted at number 8.

 

[WICFan]

Agree about Chase and Hope needing to play some fc cricket, hopefully some new faces or the likes of Bravo, Dowrich and Hetmyer can find some form again and Lewis and Pooran put their hands up for test selection.