Story ICC Best Of The Rest Championship

[Short Leg]

No, Its Just Not West Indies Cricket​

Former West Indian Test cricketer Michael Holding has called for the West Indies Cricket Board to take action with the poor form of its national side in recent times.

?This has gone on to long. They haven?t gotten anywhere near the topsides of recent times let alone the West Indies of old. It is not all the players fault they need the support from behind the scenes which the are not getting. They simply don?t have the talent in there current squad and if anything is to happen about this then the selectors will have to make changes to get the side back up to where it was in world cricket.?

It will be interesting to see the lineup the West Indies selectors will come up with in the 2nd test as they really have nothing to lose.

 

[Short Leg]

ICC Puts the Spring Back In The International Cricket Step​

The ICC President Ehsan Mani has announced a rule change that will affect all the games played so far and also the games for the rest of the ICC Best Of The Rest Championship.

?The ICC Executive Board has decided to force a rule change effective immediately. With one-sided games becoming dull under the current rules we feel the change will keep both teams having something to play for.?

?The first rule change is that of first innings points. In the event of a rain affected match or the team batting last playing for the draw it is decided that 2 first innings points will be awarded to the leading team after 1st innings. In accordance with this rule there will be no points awarded for the draw.?

?The second rule change affects an innings victory. In the event of a team winning by an inning that team will be awarded 2 points. This is so that teams will be less likely to bat out days play as they will receive no points anyway.?

 

[Short Leg]

Axe Falls On Poor Performing West Indies​

Good news for the West Indies as the WICB has decided to go with some new faces for the upcoming 2nd 3 Mobile Test Match.

All that we have been told so far is to ?Expect new blood amongst some veterans.? An unnamed representative of the WICB said ?We feel that we need to change things up as it would be insane to stick with the same squad that is not getting results. We are prepared to find out what team will work by finding out which team wont.?

It is assumed that the West Indies panel of selectors has taken the advice of former pace spearhead Michael Holding to go with something new. After all what do they have to lose?

It looks to be an interesting time to be a West Indian as we await the 2nd Test and the players it brings.

 

[Short Leg]

Gilchrist Predicts Longer Roads Ahead​

On the eve of the 2nd 3 Mobile Test Match senior player Adam Gilchrist has warned his team of the danger of complacency. The Australia vice captain knows that the Australians cannot cruise through every series without being stung.

The team is playing some great cricket probably up there with the best we have played. However i believe that there will be tougher times. Times when we will play in a differnet country under differnet conditions with completely different cultures. It will be upto us to keep the standard up throughout the highs and the lows of International Cricket

Gilchrist gave comment of the state of West Indies Cricket on his usual appearance on Fox Sports TV show "Inside Cricket"

Obviously they arent on par with the great West Indies sides of the past. I know that all the boys will be interested to see what kind of players they are going to put on the park in the 2nd Test. Will they go for the quick 150km bowlers they are famous for or will they strengthen the batting order. Either way we feel that we can take home the points.

Is anyone interested in having input for the AB Medal votes or should i decide them myself

 

[James_W]

Ricky Ponting for me.

 

[Short Leg]

2nd 3 Mobile Test Match - The WACA​

The last Test Mtach is about to start. The West Indies need to show the world that they are capable of playing in the same stadium as the best in the world.

Tony Greig's Pitch Report:

Well, Well, Well what have we here. An absolute belta again at the Waca ground in this marvelous state of perth. No quetions to ask this is a road and will be the sort of thing batsman play on in heaven. Expect big scores especially from the Australians who are playing good cricket and maybe even some performances from a new look West Indies side.

Umpires:
Billy Bowden and Steve Bucknor

The Toss:
The coin landed in favour of the West Indies

Shivnarine Chanderpaul:

Winning the toss is a good way to start this new beginning in West Indies Cricket. We will bat of course and look for some scores from new and old faces. We are excitrd about the start of this new generation.

Ricky Ponting:

Yeah, Its always nice to bat first here in Perth but our bowlers are capable of doing the job for us as we will look to wrap up the series on a high leading into next series. Our batsman have been top class of late and should enjoy batting when our turn comes so the pressure is on them to post a total in there 1st innings. They are the ones with somthing to prove.

West Indies Lineup:

The axe has fallen as a new look West Indies side takes the park. The batting order remains roughly the same except has the inclusion of Hinds to open with Gayle and the all rounder Smith has been drafted into the squad. The bowling has been totally redone with the inclusion of Lawson, Best and McLean to hopefully achieve the results for the touring team.

Australian Lineup:

Australian selectors have put the same team on the WACA as they have in previous games. They have no changes to make and are looking like big favourites for this match against the West Indies.

 

[m_vaughan]

Excellent presentation mate!

Good to see those rule changes, as they will make the games more result-oriented and less one sided.

 

[Short Leg]

West Indies Get The Start They Wanted​

Gayle and Hinds got the ball rolling for the West Indies as Gayle played his usual attacking innings and Hinds sat on his bat at the non strikers end.

McGrath was miserly at the start bowling maidens and going for the odd run. Lee did his best but was hit to the boundary as there was no margin for error on this pitch. Bracken was hit out of the attack after just 3 overs so Ponting then tured to Symonds part time mediums.

Ponting stared to shift to slighly more defensive tactics moving Hayden to a short extra cover from gully as Symonds came into bowl his first over. Just 3 balls into the over and Gayle middled a ball straight to the well placed man and Australia had there first breakthrough.

Gayle was ropeable as he walked off the WACA and the Calypso King Brian Lara walked on.

West Indies 1/69 - 16 overs
12:16pm Day 1

 

[Short Leg]

One Brings 2​

Well how often do we see it. A partnership comes to an end and all of a sudden theres two new batsman at the crease.

This time it was Hinds who misjudged a late inswinger from Lee at 150km. At first it looked like Hinds may of gotten the benefit as the ball looked to be missing off as Hinds manged a big stride forward although Steve Bucknor gave no hesitation in giving it out.

West Indies 2/69 - 17 overs
12:21pm Day 1

 

[Short Leg]

Captain Out Without Troubling The Scorers​

The captain will be dirty after he stent a long time on naught and then finally getting a bad ball from Lee and he plundered it straight to the feilder. The paceman now has a quick 2 wickets.

The West Indies are now going to have to rebuild through Lara and the new man Sarwan. There first job will be to make it to Lunch and then make a steady contribution throughout the days play.

West Indies 3/71 - 21 overs
12:38pm Day 1

 

[Short Leg]

Lunch On Day 1​

As usual Lara is the rock having made it through to Lunch accompanied by Sarwan. The West Indies start was like a dream but it soon turned into a nightmare as they lost 3 quick wickets much to the delight of Brett Lee.

Sarwan is not yet off the mark having been subjected to some new found accuracy from Symonds and the normal stuff from Lee and McGrath. Bracken was the weak link and he will have to lift his game if he want to stay on tour with the Australians.

West Indies 3/83 - 27 overs
Lunch Day 1

Gayle 46
Hinds 17
Chanderpaul 0
Lara 12*
Sarwan 0*

McGrath 0/14
Lee 2/23
Bracken 0/38
Symonds 1/4

 

[Short Leg]

Worried Faces in Familiar Places​

It wouldnt be the first time a modern day West Indies cricket team has had a middle order collapse. Brian Lara stayed positive after Lunch but some awesome bowling from the likes of Symonds and Lee kept the oppertunities to score very thin.

It was Sarwan who chased the short and wide ball and attempted to smash it over the infeild but only managed an edge. Shane Warne took a spectacular grab to send Sarwan on his way.

This catch had Bill Lawry going completly off his nut in the commentary box.

In the air, And hes gone! What a catch hes a hero this man! And hes a Victorian what a catch it was in the air Warne showed amazing reflexes diving away and taking a beauty! What a legend of Test Match cricket. West Indies now in big trouble at the WACA and a large part of it goes to Lee hes bowled fast hes bowled line and length. Excellent stuff from the Australians!

West Indies 4/89 - 33 overs
2:02pm Day 1

 

[Short Leg]

West Indies Ininngs In The Balance​

Dwayne Smith made his impact on the match when he joined Lara at the crease knowing that the West Indies would need a partnership. Smith impressed with his classy shots through the off side as he worked his way to 20. Lara was again in good form and looking to bat for long periods of time as he hammered anything slightly short to the boundary with ease.

Shane Warne eventually came into the attack replacing Andrew Symonds who had bowled well in his 10 overs. Warne turned the ball consistently on a pitch that didnt look like it would take much spin at all he also caused problems for both the batsman.

Smith looked to charge Warne in an attempt to put him off his length until Warne got one to turn past the bat leaving Smith stranted as he scrambled to get back in his crease when Gilchrist removed the bails.

Umpire Billy Bowden called for the 3rd umpire to make the call. Some tense moments followed as Smith and Lara chatted in the middle of the pitch. Only one thing was certain. It was going to be close. If Smith was out the weight on Laras shoulders would increase dramatically and because his partner had gotten a start it would be almost sinful to be out in such a crucial situation.

The 3rd umpire watched many replays from different angles and finally reached his verdict.

The replay showed that Gilchrist was quick enough to take the bails off whilest Smith had his bat in the air. A costly mistake from the young West Indian meant that the West Indies had to rely on Lara to make a big score like always.

If Ramdin and Bravo do a job with Lara it is possible that the West Indies can reach a total upwards of 250 shearly because the pitch is playing so true that once a batsman is in only a lapse in concentration can see him back in the pavillion.

West Indies 5/134 - 45 overs
2:54pm Day 1

 

[Short Leg]

The Life Of Brian​

West Indies 5/153 - 57 overs
Tea Day 1

Yet again Brian Lara has saved the West Indies from humiliation. The keeper Dinesh Ramdin managed to play solidly in defence as Lara went about his business.

With not alot to be desired in the shed as far as match winning batsman go this partnership will need to bat for most of the final session you would think if the West Indies are to get anywhere near a par score on this WACA pitch. The visitors could find out very quickly that they dont have enough runs on the board if they crumble here and let the Australian opening partnership on the ground with time to play tonight.

Lara brought up his 50 with just two balls left in the session much to the deluight of the crowd here in Perth. It has been a hard fought knock that the West Indies will value dearly. It is important that Lara turns this 50 into 100 for the Windies.

As for the Australians. Brett Lee has been the pick having picked up 3 wickets at a very exceptable rate that will have Ricky Ponting wanting his services first up after Tea. McGrath has been slightly out of character as he has gone for a few runs and hasnt picked up a wicket. Symonds has been very good again as he looks to cement his place in the Australian team for a long time. Nathan Bracken again is the weak link having not picked up a wicket either test and also being shown no respect from the West Indies batsman.

Overall the momentum is with the Australians who will be looking to pick up the remaining 5 wickets before stumps tonight. It would be a safe bet that Ramdin will continue to play it safe and let Lara dominate the stirike and the scoring. Again its hard to say what kind of score the West Indies will achieve as so much is determined by the performance of Brian Lara.

Sarwan 3
Smith 24
Lara 50*
Ramdin 2*

McGrath 0/44
Lee 3/31
Bracken 0/46
Symonds 1/6
Warne 1/21

 

[Cricket_60]

1 more wicket and the Windies will collapse

It always happens