West Indies Tour of England - May to June 2012

[barmyarmy]

Lions win the warm-up match by 10 wickets...

 

[puddleduck]

Yeah what a chase from the Lions. As an opener it must be somewhat demoralising knowing that you won't get a game until Strauss retires

 

[MUFC1987]

It doesn't seem like WIndies were that interested though, I mean fair enough Roach has injuries but Rampaul and Edwards didn't bowl much and I doubt the pitch did a lot for Shllingford or Samuels off-spin, so bit of an anti-climax unfortunately.

On the bowlers for the first test, I think the problem with Finn is that he gets classed as more of a pace and bounce type of bowler, rather than a swing and seam one, so the likes of Bresnan are seen as better on pitches moving sideways, whereas Finn is likely to get more of a nod on the flatter pitches. I'd personally go with Finn though, give him experience. He's bound to take wickets and it's a good chance to test him before the bigger games later in the summer.

 

[War]

Hmm well it was always a interesting to see who would get the nob @ # 6. Bairstow, Compton and Taylor made great cases for themselves this season - so although Bairstow has got the nod now, he certainly has to make use of it, since some solid options are behind him.

Would also reiterate assertions already made about Bopara. I don't have much confidence about him as test bat & with the S Africa series coming up, i dont want him in the top six at all.

 

[Sedition]

I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the English team gets the nob.

 

[Sedition]

The fantasy cricket game has been created for the 1st Test too btw.

Register here. Good luck

 

[Sureshot]

Well, I'd leave out Bresnan and Onions (want him in the side, but no real place unless we go 4 seamers, which would be daft).

 

[Themer]

(want him in the side, but no real place unless we go 4 seamers, which would be daft).

You say it would be daft but would it really? Early season tests tend to be heavily seam dominated to such an extent that Swanns probably going to be left redundant. I'm not advocating us going with it as a long term strategy but I don't see it being too odd for one test or so.

 

[Haarithan]

Good to see many of you rooting against Bopara. Have never rated him tbh. As for our XI, I'd leave Finn (unfortunately) and Onions out.

Not been following county cricket much this season, so how's Strauss going so far? Would like him gone asap tbh.

 

[barmyarmy]

Not going well. Cook needs a bit longer before getting the captaincy though imo.

 

[vorgaphe]

I think that Finn is by far the better bowler than Bresnan and I think that the Windian batsmen would much rather face Bresnan than Finn. On the #6 topic I'm dissapointed for Taylor but also pleased that Bairstow has been give a chance ahead of the useless crew ie. Bopara, Patel, Morgan.

 

[puddleduck]

I think it's safe to say that both Bairstow and Taylor have far more potential ability than any of Ravi, Samit or Morgan have in current ability.

Also, agreed, Finn is genuinely quick yet also a bowler who exploits conditions. He has been tight in the limited overs formats and thus far in his career has taken wickets at a good strike rate. Tremlett will unfortunately for him probably never play for England again

 

[swacker]

Really disappointed James Taylor didn't get the nod over Bairstow - especially if there's a chance JB is going to play in the Tests. James Taylor is going to have a fine career and a start against a possibly underdone West Indies side might have been an confidence boost for him - especially after failing in his fledgling ODI career. That said, they're both excellent players.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

Would've been nice to see Sunil Narine in the test squad for the Windies, I reckon he would have caused some problems.

 

[Owzat]

re : Squad: Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions

Would have been nice to see Bell omitted and one or two more younger players given a chance. Maybe have given Davies a chance behind the stumps, rest Prior and perhaps Anderson who is overused.

I think what will happen is what often happens, out of form players find easy runs and wickets, and boost their reputation and averages ahead of more struggles in the winter tours.

And when they struggle there is no obvious choice in reserve because the out of form players scored easy runs/took easy wickets when the back-up players could have been given experience and a chance to do something. We'd get more out of Bairstow averaging 40+ this summer than if Bell does it, likewise if Davies makes a few runs and catches everything instead of Prior.