Story New Era For West Indies Cricket

[King Pietersen]

BREAKING NEWS: Wholesale Changes Made to West Indies Set-up

Today news from the West Indies Cricket Board surfaced regarding wholesale changes regarding the set-up of West Indies cricket. The coach, John Dyson has been relinquished of his duties, as have the selection panel and chief selector. The news of the replacements is set to send waves of excitement throughout the Caribbean, with the appointed staff promising a vast improvement in the successes of the West Indian Cricket Team

The first news to break was that of the new Coach. It was announced that former England Coach Duncan Fletcher would be leading the West Indies Team into the future. Fletcher famed for leading the England team to victory over the Australians in 2005, joined England when they were in a position of decline themselves, and transformed them into one of the best Test sides in the world. Fletcher had been out of International Coaching since leaving the England post, and is said to be excited about takin up what he described as "a thoroughly exciting challenge".

Later in the day the news of the new selection panel broke, and was greeted with even more excitement by all fans of West Indian cricket. The new Head of Selection/Chief Selector was announced as former West Indian Fast Bowler Michael Holding. Holding has been a member of various commentary teams in recent years and has voiced his dismay at the way the cricket in the West Indies has declined, and he's apparently keen to restore the West Indies to winning ways.

Holding was also responsible for selecting his Selection Panel. The names chosen have all been very popular commentators, with 2 of the panel being former West Indian players. The first name announced by Michael Holding was the former West Indies batsman, and current director of cricket in Jamaica, Jimmy Adams. The second member of the Selection panel is popular West Indian sports journalist Tony Cozier. The third and final member of the selection panel is the incomparable former West Indies batsman Sir Vivian Richards.

All 4 members of the West Indies selection commitee are all anxiously looking forward to starting work, with their first selection meeting coming in April prior to the home series against a strong Sri Lankan outfit. This is certainly the start of an exciting period for West Indies Cricket, and I'm sure the Caribbean will be buzzing upon hearing this news.

Tom mentioned to me a week or so ago that I should venture into this part of the forums once more, so I thought I'd listen and give a story a go. I'm not doing alot with myself atm either, so you can expect regular updates. Look forward to reading your feedback =D

 

[Jaztheman]

Good start their Dan, also great to see you in this part of the forum. Can't really tell from the post any dates, so which ICC are you playing this on?

Looking forward to this.

 

[King Pietersen]

Ah yeh, forgot to mention that. I got ICC 2008 today, so will be using that Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Jaztheman]

Ah sweet, not ICC06 that I was hoping for but ICC 2008 is still ICC so i'm going to be following this with full intent. Never know, this story might intice me to buy 08.

Anyways, good luck with West Indies and hopefully you can get more of the form they produced in the last Test against England, rather than the current one.

 

[Kiko_97]

Why no career diary of Bell?
Good luck with this Dan. Looking forward to this one.

 

[King Pietersen]

BREAKING NEWS: Holding's Selection Panel Announce First Squad


Michael Holding and his Selection Panel today made their first official squad selections, ready for the First Test of an important series against Sri Lanka. The selection panel, after rumours regarding the issue of Chris Gayle's captaincy, have decided to stick with him as Captain, putting full faith in the Jamaican opening batsman. The 12 Man squad for the First Test includes many names not seen in West Indies' last Test Squad, and a few new names to International Cricket as a whole.

Partnering Chris Gayle at the top of the order will be Windward Island opener Devon Smith, a man returning to the Test side for his 21st Test. Devon Smith's previous spell in the Test side wasn't particularly productive, with him averaging a mere 24.56, but with a Test hundred to his name. He'll be hoping to finally show the form he's shown in Domestic cricket at Test level, with his form last season in Domestic Cricket being the main reason for his recall, with him scoring 336 runs at an average of 33.

The Middle-order contains many names we're used to seeing at Test level, with Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo taking up their places at 3, 5 and 6 respectively, but there's another Test recall for the man batting at 4. That man being Barbados left-hander Ryan Hinds. Hinds, 27, has previous Test experience, with 9 Tests in his career thus far, managing 2 half centuries, with 1 against Pakistan and 1 against England. Ryan Hinds worth to the team is also increased with him providing a possible bowling option with his handy Left-Arm Spin.

Dinesh Ramdin gets another chance to shine in the Wicket-Keeper spot, with the selectors telling him he needs to start showing the talent he possesses by turning it into some real Test runs of note. There is competition for places when Ramdin's concerned, with guys like Andre Fletcher and Carlton Baugh being possible options for the Selection Panel in the future.

Then we move onto the bowlers, and onto 2 new faces in the West Indian Test side. The first new face being Fast-Medium bowler Ravi Rampaul. Rampaul has impressed in Domestic cricket, with his career stats currently standing at 63 wickets at a handy average of 31. Rampaul is being brought into the side ahead of the hit and miss Fast bowler Daren Powell, who has clearly failed to impress the selectors. The 2nd new face in the West Indian side is tall left-arm Spinner Sulieman Benn. Physically Benn looks like a Fast bowler, standing at 6ft7, but his Left-Arm spin has been very effective in domestic cricket, with him taking 126 wickets at a very good average of 27, from his 36 First Class games in his career thus far.

The final 3 members of the Squad are fast bowlers, 2 we've seen in Test Cricket before, and 1 new member of the squad. The 2 established members of the Test team are Jamaican Fast Bowler Jerome Taylor, and the slingy Fidel Edwards. Both have done enough in recent months for the Selection Panel to keep them in the side, with Jerome Taylor becoming the spearhead of the West Indies attack. The final member of the 12 Man Squad is 19 Year old Barbados quickie Kemar Roach. Roach is very inexperienced, having only played 3 First Class games, but he's taken wickets at a handy average of 27 in those 3 games, and his raw talent is said to have impressed the selection panel, especially Michael Holding and Tony Cozier.

So, to sum up, the West Indies 12 Man Squad for the First Test against Sri Lanka is:

Chris Gayle (Captain)
Devon Smith
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Ryan Hinds
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dwayne Bravo
Dinesh Ramdin (Wicket-Keeper)
Sulieman Benn
Jerome Taylor
Fidel Edwards
Ravi Rampaul
Kemar Roach

Fidel Edwards shares Fast-Bowling tips with 19 year old Kemar Roach at Practise​

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[Highlander999]

That Tom always speaks bloody good sense

I really don't rate Ramdin, I think you should have gone for another keeper like Fletcher. Simmons also would have been a good choice. Still I will enjoy reading this (you so better post in mine now )

 

[mattfb]

Great to see you in the stories Dan! Interesting West Indies team, might have a bit of trouble whilst you develop your youngsters. Great start Dan, kiu!

 

[Jaztheman]

Roach will hopefully get some invaluable experience, although he hasn't even played many FC games! Bit of a gamble. Nice to see Benn in there and Ramdin, who I like. The team altogether is quite good and should stand up to the test against Sri Lanka.

Great writing, Dan. You used the word 'mere' as well, which I always use. Legend.

 

[King Pietersen]

Thanks for the feedback guys. You're right Jaz 'mere' is a brilliant word

NEWS: Gayle Wins Toss and Bats First

The Providence Stadium in Guyana is the home of the First Test in what is set to be an exciting series for both West Indies and Sri Lanka. The pitch report is looking positive for the batsmen, with it being fairly obvious that there is very little in the surface for the bowlers. Guyana normally becomes a very spinner friendly pitch later in the day, so it is a surprise that Sri Lanka haven't given a Test debut to exciting young spinner Ajantha Mendis.

West Indies are going in with the expected team, with 19 year old Fast Bowler Kemar Roach being the man asked to sit out. The experience of being in the team, training with the West Indian fast bowlers and then acting as 12th Man in the Test should provide Roach with invaluable experience for the future. Sri Lanka have shuffled the batting order somewhat, putting Kumar Sangakkara up to open alongside Michael Vandort, which allows Thilan Samaraweera to come into the Middle Order. The call-up of Samaraweera could be a vital one, with him not only providing batting, but also a very handy off-spin option with the ball. The one name not many will have heard of is Sujeewa De Silva. De Silva is a Left Arm Medium Fast bowler, who has been putting in steady performances in Sri Lankan Domestic cricket in recent seasons. The experienced 29 year old has played 88 First Class games, taking 287 wickets at an average of 22.63, with this being De Silva's 4th career Test Match.

The Toss has been made, with West Indies captain Chris Gayle coming out on top. The choice for Gayle was simple, and he has opted to Bat first, on a wicket that is sure to be tough for the Sri Lankan bowlers. It will be imperative for the West Indies batsman to put on a big first innings total, in order to give themselves a good chance of pulling off a victory. The last time Sri Lanka toured the West Indies the first Test was drawn, with over 700 runs scored in both sides First Innings' combined, and it's thought that we could be set for a similar result here.

So, to confirm, West Indies have won the toss, and will Bat First. Also, to confirm, the 2 teams for this First Digicel Test Match are as follows:

West Indies:

Chris Gayle (Captain)
Devon Smith
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Ryan Hinds
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Dwayne Bravo
Dinesh Ramdin (Wicket-Keeper)
Jerome Taylor
Sulieman Benn
Ravi Rampaul
Fidel Edwards

12th Man: Kemar Roach

Sri Lanka:

Kumar Sangakkara
Michael Vandort
Mahela Jayawardene (Captain)
Thilan Samaraweera
Chamara Silva
Tilakaratne Dilshan
Prasanna Jayawardene (Wicket-Keeper)
Chaminda Vaas
Nuwan Kulasekara
Muttiah Muralitharan
Sujeewa De Silva

Sujeewa De Silva bowling in the nets before being picked to play his 4th Test Match​

 

[Jaztheman]

Great update, Dan. Strange not to see Mendis as you mentioned, what with Guyana becoming a spinners pitch later on, but thats good for you. Your batting lineup is incredibly strong and its quite nice to see Sangakkara open actually. Could be a good move.

Looking forward to seeing the match unfold. Brilliant writing, mate.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Well brilliant start first of all Dan. Nice to see you in the story forums. Well a good team for both the sides and I fee Murali will be the key for the Lankans and yeah surprised no Mendis in the team..

Looking forward for this and great presentation and writing mate. KIU

 

[King Pietersen]

To be fair, Sri Lanka didn't play Mendis in the Test series against West Indies in real life, so it's probably fair enough. Expect an update later in the day with a report on the first day, and I'll say this much, Sri Lanka should have picked Mendis Thanks for the comments as well guys, much appreciated =D

 

[King Pietersen]

DAY REPORT: Muralitharan shines after Captain's Ton

After Chris Gayle won the toss and decided to bat first on a flat Guyana pitch it was thought that the pattern of the day would involve the West Indies making mammoth runs. The day started well for the West Indies, with captain Gayle and his opening partner Devon Smith putting on a hundred in the first session. Gayle had made it to 50 in the First session, bringing the milestone up after facing 106 balls. At lunch West Indies were well placed at 105/0 and going along nicely.

Soon after the lunch break things started to change, with Jayawardene throwing the ball to the main man, Muttiah Muralitharan. Murali provided a breakthrough straight away taking the important wicket of Devon Smith. Smith played forward at a ball that drifted in, taking an inside edge and was well caught by the captain Jayawardene. This brought Ramnaresh Sarwan to the crease, and he announced himself immediately hitting a four off Muralitharan first ball.

Soon after this the captain brought up a magnificent hundred. He played through the new ball brilliantly, coping with the swing from the 2 left armers superbly, getting to his century from 157 balls, meaning his 2nd 50 came off only 51 balls. Soon after Gayle reached the milestone Murali worked his magic again, this time picking up Sarwan with a dismissal almost identical to that of Smith, but an even better catch from Jayawardene at short leg. The rest of the session was then played out nicely by Gayle and Hinds, leaving the score at 237/2 with Gayle on 144* and Hinds going along nicely on 35*

4 overs after the Tea break and Muralitharan and Jayawardene were at it again, this time getting the really big wicket of Gayle. This time Gayle edging to slip with the catch well taken by his opposite number, skipper Mahela Jayawardene. Gayle fell 2 runs short of his 150, making a fantastic 148 off just 228 balls, the skipper well and truely leading from the front. 13 runs later and Muralitharan picked up his 4th, a vital wicket just before the new ball, getting the settled man Ryan Hinds. Hinds had played nicely, making 46 off 94 before trying to drive Muralitharan through the covers. But after failing to get his foot to the pitch of the ball he scooped the ball in the air to left armer De Silva who took a sharp catch.

5 overs later and the new ball was taken by Jayawardene, with De Silva partnering usual new ball bowler Chaminda Vaas. The new ball certainly did the trick, and it was De Silva who did the damage. There had been some definite conventional swing for De Silva, and he finally got the ball to move enough to take the outside edge of Dwayne Bravo's bat. The catch was well taken by the keeper, with Bravo going back to the shed with just 12 runs to his name off 30 deliveries faced. This left Ramdin and Shiv Chanderpaul 7 overs to bat out until the end of the day.

With 3 overs to go the captain bought himself into the attack, and his medium pace quickly brought a surprise breakthrough. Dinesh Ramdin who was just looking to survive till the end of the day prodded forwards and attempted to play round his pad, it didn't work and the ball clattered into Ramdin's pad leaving him plumb LBW, a massive wicket for Sri Lanka so late in the day, with Ramdin going for just 2.

Shiv Chanderpaul then managed to see out the rest of the day alongside Fast Bowler Jerome Taylor, with the score finishing at 296/6 at the end of an exciting first day. West Indies would have been hoping for a far better day, but were simply undone by some fantastic spin bowling from the great Muttiah Muralitharan, and then late in the day by some big swing from firstly the left-armer De Silva and then the captain himself Mahela Jayawardene. Without Chris Gayles big hundred West Indies would have been in massive trouble, and considering the flat appearance of the pitch it's not a particularly good start to the Fletcher era.

So, to sum up, West Indies finish the first day on 296/6 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 20* and Jerome Taylor on 6. The 2 players of the day being Muttiah Muralitharan for his fantastic 4/63 and also the West Indies captain for his blistering 148 at the top of the order. The West Indies will be hoping the tail can wag and then hope for a good bowling performance on the 2nd day to try and restrict Sri Lanka to as little as possible.

Player of the day Chris Gayle celebrates his magnificent hundred​

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[Jaztheman]

West Indies had a brilliant start, with you describing their situation, batting and anything 'nicely'.

They had a mini collapse and could of done without losing Ramdin and Bravo going at the end of the day, which means Chanderpaul will have to now take part in a magnificent innings. Gayle and Hinds got the start off to a perfect opening match for Fletcher but it quickly turned sour. Gayle ftw.

Very enjoyable read, Dan. Keep it up.