West Indies Tour of England - May to June 2012

[angryangy]

^At least they still have their wallets to cry into



Was always going to happen wasn't it? I totally don't care about England's fortunes...but if I'm gonna watch England play I guess I'd rather see a stylish cat like Bell at the top rather than a hacker who can smack it...or Trott.

And what's with the collapse? With Smith there WI were looking good...someone with some backbone in the middle order wouldn't go astray. Shiv, wherefore art thou??

They didn't exactly get the run of the green. When it started to rain, there may have been a touch of panic because they were slightly behind the D/L par. Then they were playing in the rain for a good 10-20 minutes. The wicket appeared to become an old fashioned uncovered pitch with a bit of extra bite. The odd ball popped up off a length in a way it hadn't been doing.

However, this is not to say it's a great looking outfit on paper. It's very all-rounder driven, although Sammy wasn't interested in all 8 of his bowlers. One might feel it is questionable to leave out fast bowlers like Edwards and Best, but this may be necessary until the side knows who its key batsmen are.

It relies on its players being in form, rather than having career records. Some of these players I think will develop better career records, but the here and now does need those players who are ready to carry the team. Darren Bravo only coming in at 9 is a big problem when Gayle was already out. On the other hand, Samuels looks to be continuing his form and Smith produced a bright cameo. I think they are capable of much better.

 

[Aalay]

It was nice to see Smith playing well. After Gayle comes back and by looking at Smith's current form, WI has to drop Simmons. They can send Darren Bravo at no 3 as he can play a stable innings. Send Dwayne Bravo at 4 so he can play few shots and then follow up with Samuels and Pollard.

They have a very strong side for limited overs format but they need to be play a little carefully in middle overs.

Gayle
Smith
Darren Bravo
Dwayne Bravo
Samuels
Pollard
Ramdin
Russel
Sammy
Narine
Rampaul

 

[Sureshot]

They need to find a mode between attack and defence. Odd innings, though I think we bowled well.

 

[Haarithan]

Cook, Cook, Pietersen, Pietersen, Bell, Cook.

Doesn't get any better than this - sixth time in as many innings an English opening batsman has gone on to make a hundred.

Also when did England last win 6 ODIs in a row?

 

[angryangy]

haha love pollard trying to bowl at trott off a couple of steps. actually, he bowled perfectly well for a guy who is ninth in the pecking order.

 

[Sureshot]

7 in a row at the start of 2010, 8 if you include the game before the abandoned game in the South Africa series in 2009. 3 against BAN and Australia, 1 against Scotland.

More exceptional home form. 6 home ODI series wins in a row. Got plenty to work on away from home, but you can say the same about most teams.

The Aus series will be a better judge and should provide some cracking games of cricket. A professional performance by England, you can't say much more than that against this opposition. They're better than this, but they lack a strike bowler (Roach, you'd think would make big improvements to the team) and a better top order outside of Gayle.

 

[MUFC1987]

You'd say that the lineup we have at the moment, would struggle to chase something in the region of 300. But in theory, we shouldn't be conceding that many with essentially 5 specialist bowlers.

Woakes, Tredwell and Meaker called up for the last ODI. Good to see we're taking the chance to try out some new guys. I'm especially hoping that Woakes plays. Decent prospect and he seems to be a bit quicker than he was last year.

 

[Owzat]

7 in a row at the start of 2010, 8 if you include the game before the abandoned game in the South Africa series in 2009. 3 against BAN and Australia, 1 against Scotland.

More exceptional home form. 6 home ODI series wins in a row. Got plenty to work on away from home, but you can say the same about most teams.

England ODIs

Won : 280
Tied : 7
NR : 19
Lost : 273

Those losses were to :

Australia : 67
India : 43
West Indies : 41
New Zealand : 35
Pakistan : 28
Sri Lanka : 24
South Africa : 23
Zimbabwe : 9
Bangladesh : 2
Ireland : 1

England - most ODI wins in a row

8 in a row : 1991 West Indies to 1992 World Cup
8 in a row : 1997 Australia to 97/98 West Indies
8 in a row : 09/10 South Africa to 2010 Australia

7 in a row : never happened outside of longer winning run

6 in a row : 1986 New Zealand to 86/87 Australia
6 in a row : 2003 Zimbabwe/South Africa to 03/04 Bangladesh
6 in a row : 11/12 Pakistan to 2012 West Indies*

Most we had won in a row before starting the 6 in a row in July 1986 was 4 in a row - that's from 70-71 to 1986 covering 116 ODIs and including a World Cup final in 1979 which ended a run of 4 wins in a row.

 

[MUFC1987]

I'd love to see this being a high scoring game today. Some great batting talent on show from both sides.

 

[angryangy]

Would settle to see a game with an ending.

 

[Sahil 7]

smith is just taking on england bowler now with some brilliant shots i hope windies will get to 160 from here

 

[MasterBlaster76]

I reckon the Windies have taken out a contract on that cameraman - that's the second time they've almost killed him!

 

[MUFC1987]

Dernbach trying his 'high full toss' variation there.

 

[angryangy]

Watching them finish, it's hard to believe it was ever difficult for them. I'm inclined to think they've shelled a shot at 200.

 

[Dutch]

Mmmmm, it least it is a competitive score. England will need to pace this well. Could be interesting. Still not convinced about Dernbach if truth be told?


63 off last 4 overs...