But having said that, Sammy doesn't feature in the team as a front line bowler, nor does he qualify as a top order batsmen. He is there for his overall contribution to the team. And talking about captaincy, if not Sammy, then who? Who looks good enough to captain the side? Chanderpaul is 39, the rest of them aren't matured enough to lead the side.
Your point about Sammy's bowling since the time he took up captaincy is very valid. And that is exactly what I think, if he is in the side, he needs to start contributing more.
If you take a look here,
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo
most of the time he ends up under utilising himself, he takes himself off from the attack very early and doesn't bowl long spells, whenever he has bowled a fair amount of overs, he has been amongst wickets. He needs to back himself and bowl long spells and not get too concerned with his captaincy and team management.
Batting at number 7 or 6 would give him a bit more time at the crease, and that would also put a lot more responsibility.
He under utilizes himself with all, doesn't bowl long spells etc because in my view he himself knows he would be ineffective with the ball.
In the first test we saw Shillingford bowl unchanged in the 1st session on day 2, en route to bowling 41 overs on day 1. Despite how well Shilly was bowling, that was ridiculous amount of bowling for a spinner & shows very poor bowling management.
This was the same thing was done when Davendra Bishoo was in the side, the youngster bowled a ridiculous amount of overs @ one end, while Sammy hid himself from the attack. This many suspect caused the youngster who wasn't ranked ICC emerging player of the year for nothing, to fall of the radar.
The main problem for WI is the lack of consistent batsmen in the team,
Chanderpaul is batting at 5 which is strange and inexplicable considering his form, his experience and the fact that no other batsmen looks good enough to bat at no.3 except him.
I don't really agree the C'Paul batting @ # 3. Remember when AUS were in a similar transition phase in their test team in the late 1980s when Border was head & shoulder the best batsman - he didn't bat @ 3.
Even when AUS were dominant - Steve Waugh the clear best batsman batted @ # 5.
If C'Paul goes to three, teams will look @ AUS as "we just need to get C'Paul early then we get a weak middle-order to bowl at".
Plus one must consider that he is age 39.
Bravo & Samuels have all the talent and ability to be long term consistent # 3's & 4's. They just need to be more consistent.
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TBH, the things going on in India in the context of Tendulkar's retirement that are on outside the cricket field are too over the top. Yes, he is probably the best batsman of his time but he is just a cricketer, not an independence struggle hero. Anyway, one positive development before the 2nd test for WI is that Gabriel is expected to feature in the last match. That should certainly give some chance for us. He should replace Cottrell as I think they would not want to axe an experienced bowler like Best (though he has done nothing special so far) at this point of time.
Ye i don't mind the farewell Tendy has been afforded, he certainly deserves it. I'm sure if you had asked many past batting greats if they could have gotten the chance to end their career perfectly they would take it.
The problem as commentator Mohammed highlighted as most fans are aware is how the BCCI has manipulated and disrespected the ICC FTP to involve this tour, along with their insult for CSA, which is another topic by itself.
The BCCI never consulted or asked the ICC if they could possibly arrange this tour out of the FTP, to give the ICC the option to reject or allow them. They just went along with it as the bloody please bcause as we all, they are the defacto ICC of cricket.
On windies team as we have discussed before, the team will never be properly balanced even if Gabriel plays once Sammy is in it.
I know it won't happen since the WICB selectors & coach are in their own idiot bubble, but either let Gayle captain in this one of tests or promote K Edwards to do the job. Also drop Ramdin for Walton, bring in Deonarine:
Gayle, K Edwards, D Bravo, Samuels, C'Paul, Deonarine, Walton, Shillingford, Best, Cotterell, Gabriel.
