West Indies in Zimbabwe/South Africa

[surendar]

West Indies really had thrown away their game. They didn't have a bad start either to this 2nd test match.. They were having a complete control till that Prince/Boucher partnership came in 1st innings. Even after the small lead by SA, Windies could have put a healthy total for their second suprising win.. but they(WI) showed their typical style of collapsing.

Not very much impressed with SA either. Apart from Steyn's bowling, efficiency of SA was not even half of their original potential which they displayed against India last time(Ind tour of SA).

 

[SciD]

West Indies really had thrown away their game. They didn't have a bad start either to this 2nd test match.. They were having a complete control till that Prince/Boucher partnership came in 1st innings. Even after the small lead by SA, Windies could have put a healthy total for their second suprising win.. but they(WI) showed their typical style of collapsing.

Not very much impressed with SA either. Apart from Steyn's bowling, efficiency of SA was not even half of their original potential which they displayed against India last time(Ind tour of SA).

Second innings bowling by SA was superb. Kallis and Ntini bowled some rip snotters to the batsmen. Steyn even though was injured bowled good lines.

 

[Maxkarter]

I love going through SA threads, it's almost as fun as the Australian ones. I reckon the SA cricket team is as almost as hated as the Aussies on this forum, but anyway enough of that.

The match should have been a more comfortable win, but there were a few fundamental errors. McKenzie opening the batting, now its all well and good that he has averaged over 50 in the domestic season so far, but that wasn't opening the batting. But still him and Smith probably did better than what the Smith/Gibbs combo could have mustered. Personally Prince surprised me, I was hoping he'd be dropped soon, but that would be unlikely regardless of his performance beeing Vice-Captain, and one of those nasty little quota players that we need - thank goodness he performs though - to make our board happy.

The bowling front still needs a bit of work, the guys aren't performing as they were a few series ago, but I think that will come with time, as Ntini has improved. Steyn has to be commended for bowling with an injury altho not as hampering in the first innings. Hopefully by the end of the series we can work out 'Chanderwall' as he really manages to keep the Windies together.

The second innings for both sides was filled with heroism in my opinion, an unlikely catch by Harris probably helped knock WI over, but I think it safe to say we all hope he can keep showing flashes of brilliance like that in the field. Then it was Gayle coming out with his fractured thumb and hamstring strain, putting his body on the line for the team and helping get things a little more respectable. Steyn also deserves a look bowling with an injury and still proving to be effective, where are his critics on this forum now?

SA batting was still a little shambolic, with AB opening with Smith as McKenzie got injured, Smith was lucky, but it could just be the innings he needed to get back to form. Amla still looks a little clueless at the crease but it was a piece of brilliant fiedling by Gayle that helped get a certain spinners average down and bring a little more respectabilty to their performance again. That aside the boling was shocking by WI in the majority of the second innings.

Probably a better team showing from SA than the first test, and it can only get bette from here. Dippenaar will probably come in for McKenzie and open - specialist opener with an average better than NM - and Pollock will be the likely replacement for Steyn. For all we know Gayle will try to kill himself and play the next match and not be replaced.

 

[jordox]

I love going through SA threads, it's almost as fun as the Australian ones. I reckon the SA cricket team is as almost as hated as the Aussies on this forum, but anyway enough of that.

True, I don't know what it is about them they just attract so much hate.

The match should have been a more comfortable win, but there were a few fundamental errors. McKenzie opening the batting, now its all well and good that he has averaged over 50 in the domestic season so far, but that wasn't opening the batting. But still him and Smith probably did better than what the Smith/Gibbs combo could have mustered. Personally Prince surprised me, I was hoping he'd be dropped soon, but that would be unlikely regardless of his performance beeing Vice-Captain, and one of those nasty little quota players that we need - thank goodness he performs though - to make our board happy.

Yeah, I agree Mckenzie (as much as I love him, he has the BEST looking stance ever ) isn't an opener he just doesn't suit the role. I think that picking him just because he has averaged well in domestic is a bit naive from the selectors. I'd have gone Dippenaar, I know not everyone agrees with me on that, but I still think he would be a better choice there.

The second innings for both sides was filled with heroism in my opinion, an unlikely catch by Harris probably helped knock WI over, but I think it safe to say we all hope he can keep showing flashes of brilliance like that in the field. Then it was Gayle coming out with his fractured thumb and hamstring strain, putting his body on the line for the team and helping get things a little more respectable. Steyn also deserves a look bowling with an injury and still proving to be effective, where are his critics on this forum now?

Yep, I loved it it was really good cricket. In regards to Steyn.. well I think it has been really funny the way that after his great run against NZ, in the first test against WI when he bowled pretty averagely everyone was going "Oooh See? Steyn is rubbish!" and it annoyed me. Big time.

SA batting was still a little shambolic, with AB opening with Smith as McKenzie got injured, Smith was lucky, but it could just be the innings he needed to get back to form. Amla still looks a little clueless at the crease but it was a piece of brilliant fiedling by Gayle that helped get a certain spinners average down and bring a little more respectabilty to their performance again. That aside the boling was shocking by WI in the majority of the second innings.

Probably a better team showing from SA than the first test, and it can only get bette from here. Dippenaar will probably come in for McKenzie and open - specialist opener with an average better than NM - and Pollock will be the likely replacement for Steyn. For all we know Gayle will try to kill himself and play the next match and not be replaced.

Yeah I think the batting needs a lot of work. I'm really not a fan of Amla, he seems to only score on the leg side, and against good bowling, that's tough and his strike rate proves that. I think they just need a little more discipline and tighten up in general.

But yeah, definitely an improvement, however the side is still not back to what it is capable of, which is quite a lot.

Good post.

 

[SciD]

I love going through SA threads, it's almost as fun as the Australian ones. I reckon the SA cricket team is as almost as hated as the Aussies on this forum, but anyway enough of that.

I dont think SA attract criticism. Its Smith whose is the target. I for one love English threads. Only English fans have real go at there players and administration.

 

[Shevchenko]

Yeah okay South Africa won, West Indies collapsed fact of the matter is SA tied the series down to one all. McKenzie opening was a big no-no for me in the first place but still like Max said did better than the Smith/Gibbs partnership. But why bring in Dippenaar to open the batting? We have the answer in De Villiers and Smith. How many times have they opened and made a decent start? I'll take anyone one in a bet that if Dippenaar opens SA will again be down to a start of 10/1 or something like that leaving Amla to face the new ball...again.

The Windies dished out buffet bowling it was like a carvery come on help yourselves! South Africa's got so many talented cricketers Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, JP Duminy...the list goes on so finding replacements shouldn't be a problem but it's finding a way from choking on the big scene.

The team I would select for the test in Durban would be
1.De Villiers
2.Smith
3.Amla
4.Kallis
5.Prince
6.Gibbs
7.Boucher
8.Pollock
9.Harris
10.Nel
11.Ntini

and with a extra batsmen down 8 in Pollock the top order will have some room of comfort knowing that they can play a bit of shots instead of going into their shells scared of revealing the long tale that South Africa has

 

[Leicester Fox]

Thats because English cricketers are pathetic and if I ever got the chance to meet the people who a couple of years ago could have been called my heros I would give them a slap. A lot of people on here would agree that Graeme Smiths a cock which is why they aren't fans of the Saffas. As far as this series is concerned everyone likes the Windies and they are the underdog do they'll get the neutrals support in most cases. I still can't believe they los the first test, shows SA still have some work to do but a summer against WI and NZ will obviously get their confidence up and give them a boost up the rankings. Can't wait for them to come to England, should be close if we manage a shock win against the Kiwis, will give us some much needed confidence.

 

[Dare]

alot of fitness problems for West Indies before the 3rd test and its gona be interesting what side they will choose. it should stay the same except for Rawl Lewis who should be replaced with Darren Sammy.

Gayle (if not fit than Parchment should get his 1st test)
Ganga
Morton
Samuels
Chanderpaul
Bravo
Ramdin
Sammy
Taylor (if not fit than Devon Smith can play, gives them a extra batsman and a spinn option)
Powell
Edwards (if not fit than Pedro Collins should play, he has the most experience when it comes to the bowlers on this team)

looks the same but i expect atleast 2 changes to be made, i dont really care what happens as long as Lewis doesnt play. Dave Mohammad came back for T&T and Amit Jagernauth has been playing good for the last 2 years and they should be the future spinners for West Indies.

 

[angryangy]

I wish to heaven and hell that the WICB would get over Darren Ganga.

 

[ivanvdm15]

well Gayle is out of the match , thats a big blow to Windies

SA team that id select for next game
1.Boeta Dippenaar ( hes on good form and Gibbs isn't and Mckenzie is injured )
2.AB de Villiers ( has a very good record against West Indies )
3.H.Amla ( his last chance from me )
4. J.Kallis
5.A.Prince
6.M.Boucher
7.S.Pollock
8.A.Morkel ( i think he deserves a test chance can get those few quick runs at the end and is really handy with bowling )
9. A.Nel ( bowling really well recently )
10.D.Steyn ( well that's a no brainer )
11.M.Ntini ( needs to up his bowling a bit but is still a must for me )

well i have chosen 6 seamers in my side , and also no Paul Harris because he isn't a wicket taker and all he does is keep the runs low , but is that really necesery without Gayle. Pollock and Albie Morkel will strenghten the batting line-up trumendiously , and Boeta Dippenaar who is in good form on recent county games. AB de Villiers opening could be a huge factor for SA due that he has such a great record against Windies. Prince because hes on good form recently from the other games.

 

[Helpman]

I don't see Smith in you team....I mean, its a given he's going to play. Plus, Morkel on debut for the most important match of the series? Not too sure about that.

Other than that, good team. I agree on Dippenaar though and I also feel its Amla's last chance...

 

[Dare]

I wish to heaven and hell that the WICB would get over Darren Ganga.

ahahah same but i guess he is the best they can come up with. he is a player without potential this is as good as he is going to be so why play him when he is not going to improve, give Simmons, Parchment or someone else that they can come up with a chance.

 

[0601731]

i think the windies are already on the backfoot losing gayle,i think they should attack using their bowlers who i think are pretty good and the batsmen should rally around chanderpaul.

 

[jordox]

well Gayle is out of the match , thats a big blow to Windies

SA team that id select for next game
1.Boeta Dippenaar ( hes on good form and Gibbs isn't and Mckenzie is injured )
2.AB de Villiers ( has a very good record against West Indies )
3.H.Amla ( his last chance from me )
4. J.Kallis
5.A.Prince
6.M.Boucher
7.S.Pollock
8.A.Morkel ( i think he deserves a test chance can get those few quick runs at the end and is really handy with bowling )
9. A.Nel ( bowling really well recently )
10.D.Steyn ( well that's a no brainer )
11.M.Ntini ( needs to up his bowling a bit but is still a must for me )

well i have chosen 6 seamers in my side , and also no Paul Harris because he isn't a wicket taker and all he does is keep the runs low , but is that really necesery without Gayle. Pollock and Albie Morkel will strenghten the batting line-up trumendiously , and Boeta Dippenaar who is in good form on recent county games. AB de Villiers opening could be a huge factor for SA due that he has such a great record against Windies. Prince because hes on good form recently from the other games.

Umm.. We have captain.. He's name is Graeme Smith. You can't just drop him :laugh then have a stand in captain for a bit.

But I do agree, although I wouldn't put Morkel in, Harris for me. Amla just hangs in, give him another chance.

 

[karnog]

South Africa should go with 4 paceman and 1 spinner. So Harris replaces Morkel. Can't drop Smith and Amla has had his chances. From what i've read from SA fans Dippenaar is in good form. so yeah he gets the nod ahead of Amla who supposedly is out of form (cricinfo). Smith and Boeta open and Devilliers down at 4 with Kallis at 3. I don't have foxtel at the moment so i can't watch until day 3 where i finally get it back. i want the windies to win (nothing against SA but i like underdogs). Gayle is out so maybe Sarwan might get the nod.