***Official*** West Indies Tour of the UK 2017

[burr]

England are destroying the tradition of **** tail ends. It's no fun.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

England are destroying the tradition of **** tail ends. It's no fun.

They're also changing the tradition of numbers 2,3 and 5 making runs.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Gotta be prepared to lose to win

They really didn't need to though

 

[weldone]

I don't think it's a bad declaration. England's bowling will be to blame if they lose from here. The pitch will turn square for Moeen, who can bowl 45 overs. Both of WI openers are ultra-defensive, and their nos. 3 and 4 aren't known for their limited overs game either. Unless all England bowlers bowl terribly poorly, the ask will be too much by the time Blackwood and Holder come to crease.

 

[WindieWeathers]

Well, we dominated the first two days and I'd argue we drew the third day but today was all England. And that's the difference between the best teams and the also rans. England stayed in the game due to our own faults in the field and then as we've dropped off they've taken full advantage. One of our biggest problems is the Bishoo issue. We need our spinner to takes wickets in order to compliment our pace attack. Roach, Gabriel and Holder are more than capable of setting up a good platform but we need a quality spinner to really put the icing on the cake and right now that is missing in this tour. Not that it's Bishy's fault though as he's been criminally underused.

As always tomorrows first session will be crucial. If Brathwaite and Hope are still there at lunch then we'll be well in this game. Everything comes down to the pitch. If it's as true as it was today then we can at least get a draw or maybe dare to dream about the win. We'll need someone to go big though. And counting on Kraigg and Hope to be super-human again seems unrealstic. This will depend on Chase I think. If he gets into gear then things could happen. All in all whatever the result this performance gives me hope that we at least have some players who can perform on the biggest stage. Kraigg is just 24, Hope is 23, Blackwood is 25. Add Bravo (28) in there and things aren't looking too bad at all. Dowrich, Powell and Kyle Hope are the ones who will need looking at I think.

 

[Slifer]

Yeah I just remembered that bravo isn't playing. Could've added some meat to the batting but what could've been if not for those drops esp root and stokes.

 

[grecian]

Yeah I just remembered that bravo isn't playing. Could've added some meat to the batting but what could've been if not for those drops esp root and stokes.

If Bravo was playing, maybe Shai Hope wouldn't have been. If the Windies are going to move forward they have to stop this "alternative team that should be playing" stuff, and concentrate on the second point you make. Those drops have been basic and if you lose have probably robbed you of a great victory for a young team.

 

[Black_Warrior]

This extended Eng batting line-up has gotta be one of the most frustrating things in Test cricket at the moment... Ali at 8 is ridiculous.

Been suffering since 2015. Welcome to the club.

By the time of the Oval test last year, I was resorting to violence every time I heard "we just need Root and Cook and we're on top"

 

[Burgey]

I must say I'm surprised at the declaration by Root. Almost a meme move on his part. I'd expect England to win or at worst a draw to be played out, but it would be hilarious if it bit him on the arse after his side had worked so hard to get back into the game.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Don't think anyone expects West Indies to chase down 322 on Day 5. At best a win, at worst a draw.

 

[WindieWeathers]

If Bravo was playing, maybe Shai Hope wouldn't have been. If the Windies are going to move forward they have to stop this "alternative team that should be playing" stuff, and concentrate on the second point you make. Those drops have been basic and if you lose have probably robbed you of a great victory for a young team.

Kyle Hope is the one who wouldn't be playing as he's the one batting in Darren's position (three). And let's be fair, we're talking about a man who's scored tons in India, Australia, New Zealand, BD and away to Pakistan. With him the likeyhood is we'd have probably gotten above 500 in the first innings. And yes the dropped catches have really come back to bite us this time. 240 runs is the cost of seven dropped catches...LOL I have to laugh otherwise i'd be reaching for the tissue box again.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

I don't think he's allowed to bowl.

Apparently he is allowed.

Bowled a solitary over.

 

[GotSpin]

Kyle Hope is the one who wouldn't be playing as he's the one batting in Darren's position (three). And let's be fair, we're talking about a man who's scored tons in India, Australia, New Zealand, BD and away to Pakistan. With him the likeyhood is we'd have probably gotten above 500 in the first innings. And yes the dropped catches have really come back to bite us this time. 240 runs is the cost of seven dropped catches...LOL I have to laugh otherwise i'd be reaching for the tissue box again.

What's the reason for Bravo again? Politics right?

 

[GotSpin]

Don't think anyone expects West Indies to chase down 322 on Day 5. At best a win, at worst a draw.

This pitch isn't a minefield. It won't happen though

 

[Adders]

Question is, would Root have made the same decalaration against the Aussies if he was 1-0 up.......i don't think so.

Thats a dangerous game to play I think.

 

[morgieb]

What's the reason for Bravo again? Politics right?

Fell out with the WICB.

Apparently he has apologised but probably needs domestic runs to get back in the team. Shame too as him instead of Kyle Hope and a better opener than Powell and you have a decent enough team.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Question is, would Root have made the same decalaration against the Aussies if he was 1-0 up.......i don't think so.

Thats a dangerous game to play I think.

I know players and captains always say "we treat each game the same regardless of the opposition" but that's just not humanly possible.

Of course he wouldn't make that declaration against Australia.

But ultimately it is not possible for players to treat each opposition the same and that will inevitably effect their decision making, strategy, approach.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Fell out with the WICB.

Apparently he has apologised but probably needs domestic runs to get back in the team. Shame too as him instead of Kyle Hope and a better opener than Powell and you have a decent enough team.

He made himself unavailable for this series. Also recovering from an injury IIRC

 

[cnerd123]

I know players and captains always say "we treat each game the same regardless of the opposition" but that's just not humanly possible.

Of course he wouldn't make that declaration against Australia.

But ultimately it is not possible for players to treat each opposition the same and that will inevitably effect their decision making, strategy, approach.

umm when they say that they mean they go into each game with the same intensity and hunger every time. Not that they'll use the same tactics every game...

 

[Daemon]

Question is, would Root have made the same decalaration against the Aussies if he was 1-0 up.......i don't think so.

Thats a dangerous game to play I think.

Of course he wouldn't, Australia have a much better batting lineup.