Story West Indies Tour of Australia (C2005)

[Cricket_60]

AUSSIE AXE FALLS AS OUT OF FORM PLAYERS HEAD HOME

With the test series almost won the Australian selectors have decided to blood some of their new talent. Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Simon Katich have all been told to head home and await news of their axing or re-selection for the ODI's. The Aussies have announced that Brad Hodge, Shane Watson and James Hopes will all receive atleast two games for their patience.

Bowling

Glenn McGrath has obviously been the star for the series so far, He has claimed over 20 wickets and has been backed up well by Brett Lee. The Aussies now are taking a gamble by not providing a tried and tested third seamer for the next 3 games. Shane Watson will be predominately a bowling all-rounder but is not expected to carry the bulk of the work.

McGrath is back to his old best


Batting

With JL on fire and Damien Martyn holding his test spot firmly the Windies will be worried just looking at the formidable names on the scorecard. Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey are yet to score big and Andrew Symonds is currently loosing his grip on a test spot. This however makes him even more deadly as his batting is so unpredictable. Also with the new income of Brad Hodge, Shane Watson and James Hopes who knows what scores the Aussies could reach?

Gilly is starting to fire


Statistics and Results

Match 1 at Brisbane Aus def Win (Innings and 61 runs)
MOM G.McGrath

Highlights

M.Hayden 136
G.McGrath 6/33 7/25
C.Gayle 4/50

Match 2 at Sydney Aus def Win (Innings and 67 runs)
MOM J.Langer

Highlights

W.Hinds 80
G.McGrath 4/58
J.Langer 218*
S.Warne 4/52


Match 3 at Melbourne Aus def Win (Innings and 106 runs)
MOM S.Warne

Highlights

S.Warne 5/99
R.Sarwan 73
J.Langer 113
S.Warne 5/72

TEST SERIES SO FAR...

As you can all see the Aussies have dominated the series. The Windies will have to make a dramatic turnaround here which they have set as their goal. The Windies have made sweeping changes to their lineup but to everyone's shock are not going to release their team until the day of the 4th test (Wednesday) This will leave the Aussies guessing as to what kind of team they will be facing.

Top Players of the Series

Batsmen
1) J.Langer
2) W.Hinds
3) B.Lara
4) M.Hayden
5) M.Hussey

Bowlers
1) G.McGrath
2) B.Lee
3) C.Gayle
4) S.Warne
5) J.Gillespie

Can Lara break the Aussies?


The Anticipation in both camps builds as the 4th test lies only 1 day away...

 

[langerrox]

great presentation as usual and cant wait for the rebirth of a great thread!

 

[Bala]

Ah! Brilliant. I for one enjoyed your story and the graphics. Welcome back and good luck.

 

[Cricket_60]

Thanks guys

I wanted to start posting the first innings but computer problems have stopped me

 

[Cricket_60]

PONTING DECLARES WHITEWASH ON THE CARDS

Aussie captain Ricky Ponting has come out firing ahead of the 4th match at Hobart. Ponting has spoken of his teams spirit as they look to put their Ashes defeat behind them. "These three wins have given us the confidence we need for our next set of matches through India" said Ponting. Ricky also went on to say that the Aussies would take no mercy on the Windies who are desperately trying to avoid a whitewash. "Our boys are pumped, We want to win not just for us but for the crowd and Aussie cricket." "In simple terms, We want a whitewash, The West Indians know this which will hopefully give us a tough fight" "If we beat them 6-0 the boys will be ecstatic" When asked about the next tour ahead Ponting said that details would begin to emerge at the end of the test series.

 

[langerrox]

dem be fightin words

 

[Cricket_60]

LARA FIGHTS BACK

Brian Lara has hit back at claims by opposing captain Ricky Ponting that the Aussie's will win the series 6-0. "I don't see that happening with our new line-up" Lara said after hearing Ponting's words. "We have brought in some new players and are very confident within ourselves that we can draw the series" Brian also said that the Aussies' arrogance would be their downfall in the series "I think they have under-estimated our team, I would say that they are in danger of loosing the series because they think that we are weak and we will be a push-over" "This is definitely not the case, We aim to fight them right to the end"

 

[James219]

Brilliant fonts and presentation!

 

[moza1]

Its great that this excellent story is back.

 

[Cricket_60]

4th Test Match

Welcome to Tasmania for the 4th test in this 6 test series between Australia and the West Indies. Unfortunately conditions aren't ideal for cricket, thye skies overhead are grey and heavy showers are predicted for much of the game. We have already heard the verbal war between Ponting and Lara so this match is set to be a corker. It's a must win for the Windies, if they loose the series is over and the Aussies will be crowned champions so they need to be pumped for this game...

The Pitch
This Tassie pitch is at its best. Recent rain has given it a beuatifull grassy cover which will give aid to the seamers. Whoever wins the toss should definitely bowl.

The Teams

Australia

J.Langer
M.Hayden
R.Ponting
D.Martyn
M.Hussey
S.Watson
A.Gilchrist
S.Warne
B.Lee
N.Bracken
G.McGrath

The Aussies have been unstoppable so far...

Symonds makes way for Bracken
Watson in for Katich
Clarke dropped after poor form (12th man)

West Indies

W.Hinds
C.Gayle
B.Lara
S.Chanderpaul
R.Sarwan
D.Ramdin
O.Banks
D.Butler
J.Lawson
D.Powell
T.Best

Sweeping changes made to Windie side
Ramdin for Browne
Best for Collymore
Powell for Dillon

Can the Windies turn the tables?

The Toss

Amazingly the toss has been won by the West Indian's who have elected to bat! A very risky choise, especially with the surprise Aussie selection of Bracken and Watson.


Now after the long wait we are set for the showdown!

 

[Cricket_60]

MCGRATH CLAIMS FIRST WICKET

Crowd favourite Glen McGrath has struck the first blow of the 4th match. McGrath claimed the valuable wicket of Hinds for 25 just as he was starting to look dangerous. Glenn bowled a slower ball which lured Hinds into a rash lofted off-drive which went straight up into the air to be caught well by Justin Langer who ran in from Gully. The Windies now need to steady the ship...

B.Lara 0*
C.Gayle 5*
WIN: 1/35

Last Wicket: W.Hinds: c J.Langer b G.McGrath

G.McGrath 1/15 (9)
B.Lee 0/20 (8)

 

[Cricket_60]

LUNCH DAY 1: WIN 1/77

B.Lara 19*
C.Gayle 21*
W.Hinds 25(58)

B.Lee 0/26 (10)
G.McGrath 1/16 (10)
N.Bracken 0/15 (5)
S.Warne 0/16 (4)

Summary: The West Indians probaly feel they have control of the match having lost only the one wicket. Both batsmen at the crease are batting sensibly and could go on to big scores. This is a dangerous period for the Aussies.

 

[Bala]

Good start by the Windies.

 

[jazz]

yes good start by the windies

 

[Cricket_60]

LARA LOOKING DANGEROUS

Brian Lara has reached a well made 50 against fast and accurate Aussie bowling. Lara has played in an agressive mode, smashing anything outside off that is slightly too short or full. The Aussies need to stop this offensive and get Lara out quickly...

B.Lara 50*
C.Gayle 32*
WIN:1/125