England in West Indies

[Themer]

I think its more of a confidence thing with him on the running front as he's been in the ODIs and nothing like this has happened. He seems very nervous so far in his Test career.

Themer added 34 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...

Great innings this by Prior has came in and looked very positive exactly what we needed. England are well on top at the moment but a couple of wickets and our tail is exposed so still work to be done.

Get to 450 as quickly as possible then declare.

 

[barmyarmy]

Get to 450 as quickly as possible then declare.

Knight, Willis and Gower were all saying this morning, don't declare and make sure you only have to bat once.

 

[King Pietersen]

Knight? It's Alec Stewart in the studio, pretty sure Knight's not there today.

Gayle's captaincy is flattering to decieve once more. Nash bowling is ridiculous, as the commentators are saying, the spinners should be on, the pitch is crumbling and it turned yesterday, even for Hinds. Gayle's captaincy has not impressed me at all in this series.

 

[barmyarmy]

You're right: Stewart not Knight.
Prior's R/R is fantastic considering how slow the wicket is. Prob enjoying a gentle net out there from Nash.

 

[Themer]

Really don't understand the thought behind Nash at all. It was a pretty poor team selection from the West Indies why Benn was dropped for a pitch that looks like it might spin later in the match is beyond me.

 

[King Pietersen]

There are so many good spinners in the West Indies as well, so the call to drop Benn and play Baker and Powell is ridiculous. You've got guys like Odean Brown who's a leg spinner with a FC average of 21 and 37 wickets at 18 this year, then you've got another spinner in Ryan Austin who's got 32 wickets at 20 this year. Then there's a youngish quickie called Gavin Tonge, who's got a FC average of 25 and 29 wickets at 20 in the 4 day competition, yet West Indies pick Baker, Powell, Nash, Hinds and Gayle to do the bowling alongside Edwards. Just incredibly negative selection, and just shows that they're not looking to win, but to draw from the off.

50 for Prior from 52 balls, very good going on a pitch that's difficult to bat on. Helps that he's getting throw downs from net bowlers though.

 

[barmyarmy]

Just me rolling around laughing at that throw from Gayle which hit Tiffen on the head? Didn't think so...
First ball of the Windies innings: Gayle struck 3 foot outside off stump and up goes the finger

 

[.Mob]

I lol'd, so hard.

 

[King Pietersen]

Hundred for Colly. Still think Bell should play in The Ashes

 

[barmyarmy]

I'm not convinced that Strauss, Colly, Prior etc really are in the "form of their lives". I just think we've faced some ordinary bowling on flat pitches recently. Anyway lunch and a good recovery.

 

[angryangy]

I just think the fact that Daren Powell has been allowed to play 20 of the West Indies last 22 games makes all of the West Indies selections null and void. If they've made any good ones, it's solely due to luck.

 

[Dare]

Really don't understand the thought behind Nash at all. It was a pretty poor team selection from the West Indies why Benn was dropped for a pitch that looks like it might spin later in the match is beyond me.

There are so many good spinners in the West Indies as well, so the call to drop Benn and play Baker and Powell is ridiculous. You've got guys like Odean Brown who's a leg spinner with a FC average of 21 and 37 wickets at 18 this year, then you've got another spinner in Ryan Austin who's got 32 wickets at 20 this year. Then there's a youngish quickie called Gavin Tonge, who's got a FC average of 25 and 29 wickets at 20 in the 4 day competition, yet West Indies pick Baker, Powell, Nash, Hinds and Gayle to do the bowling alongside Edwards. Just incredibly negative selection, and just shows that they're not looking to win, but to draw from the off.

50 for Prior from 52 balls, very good going on a pitch that's difficult to bat on. Helps that he's getting throw downs from net bowlers though.

Have to agree with you guys here. I understand what the WI were thinking because this wicket was a pace bowlers wicket but all the wickets in the Caribbean used to be like that and look at them now. Dropping Benn was a big mistake, I would have rather gone with Simmons coming in for Hinds and Benn keeping his spot. Rather have one specialist spinner than 2 weak part timers.

Baker hasn't been really effective but at least he hasn't gone at 5 an over like Powell. We will have to look hard to find that 3rd pace bowler, some guys should be given a go in the upcoming ODIs just to see where they stand and if they can offer anything for the future.

 

[.Mob]

What about Kemar Roach? The guy is/seems seriously quick, and surely, would be a better option than Powell or Baker.

 

[Collingwood50]

Super collingwood - another fantastic innings

 

[Dare]

What about Kemar Roach? The guy is/seems seriously quick, and surely, would be a better option than Powell or Baker.

na he goes at about 5 an over in domestic cricket and bowls around 15-20 no balls per match.
He is a good talent but he has to solve the no-ball problem and only then he can get a shot.


At the moment Nelon Pascal and Kevin McClean look like better younger options. For this test I would have gone with Ravi Rampaul. Its his home ground and since coming back from injury this season he has performed really well for T&T, picked up 10 wickets in his last match.