Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Latest Matches => Topic started by: Joe on May 13, 2012, 12:01:03 PM
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Though I would jump the shot a bit with this, anyone got any predictions? Surely England will murder them?
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Weather permitting England win all three tests within 4 days. 2 by innings and 1 by 8 wickets ;)
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have to agree with you there
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England to win all tests
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I think that the WIndies haven't got a bad side - but then I see this complete thrashing...
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-west-indies-2012/engine/current/match/534202.html
I really don't know what to expect. Fingers crossed for sunshine and runs for Strauss.
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I think England will win the series and probably all three tests, I'm not sure it will be as easy in all three as people are suggesting.
West Indies have good bowlers, Sammy can be dangerous in English conditions, see his debut in 2007 when he took 7 for 66 in the second innings.
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I think Eng will win the series but lets hope Windies put up a good fight, they have shown encouraging signs in last few series so hope it continues....no one likes to watch 1 sided matches...
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I think that the WIndies haven't got a bad side - but then I see this complete thrashing...
[url]http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-west-indies-2012/engine/current/match/534202.html[/url]
I really don't know what to expect. Fingers crossed for sunshine and runs for Strauss.
It is depressing to see what West Indies were few decades ago and what they are now today.
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thing is, the West Indians may be competitive with the ball (although most of their bowlers seem to be carrying knocks) but there is little hope that their batsmen will come to the party...
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Their bowling attack isn't bad at all, but then again their batting isn't very good at all. (One or two exempt)
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Just thought I would make the comment that this is a decent WI team that hasn't been selected to play on this tour - now I am not saying that they are all better than the guys that are selected in the current team - but if this was the team to play Eng in the first test I am not sure it would be massively weaker (OK the batting is light without Chanderpaul and Bravo...) but the point is - it would be helpful if the WIndies could pick all the best players - as Narine, Gayle, Sarwan and Taylor would strengthen the team and many of the others would strengthen the "bench"
Chris Gayle
Brenton Parchment
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Pollard
Bravo
Brendon Nash
Carlton Baugh
Narine
Jerome Taylor
Jermain Lawson
Corey collimore
12th Man Andre Russell
which is a real shame...
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I think it's going to be a one sided affair but don't count your chickens before they hatch after all England Has only won 1 from the last 5 games
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I think it's going to be a one sided affair but don't count your chickens before they hatch after all England Has only won 1 from the last 5 games
1 from 5 in conditions that they always struggle in! That said the Windies bowling looked good against Australia and if they can skittle England out for as little as possible then they have a chance. Although I wouldn't fancy their chances at an overcast Lords in 12 degrees with Jimmy swinging it!
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I can't help but think that this England's team's future hinges on our top 6 scoring big runs in this test. After a disasterous winter the batting line up looks like it's confidence has been shot to pieces.
I have every confidence in our bowling attack being able to bowl teams out for under 300, but we need to return to posting 500+ scores. This WI team might not be the best, but they gave the Aussies a decent fight, and seem to have a bit of momentum at the moment.
England batsmen need to dominate, and hopefully put themselves in the right mind set for taking on SA.
If we can't stat posting 500+ against WI, then we'll have no chance versus Steyn, Morkel and Philander
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1 from 5 in conditions that they always struggle in! That said the Windies bowling looked good against Australia and if they can skittle England out for as little as possible then they have a chance. Although I wouldn't fancy their chances at an overcast Lords in 12 degrees with Jimmy swinging it!
Top temperature of 12C over the first four days - two days of Cloudy and two days of Mostly Cloudy. Showers on the monday... If it isn't all over by the end of Sunday I'd be very surprised!
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England's home and away record since 2005 as follows:
Home 41 games 23 wins
Away 38 games 10 wins
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what about the record since Andrew Flower took over as coach?
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what about the record since Andrew Flower took over as coach?
Their record since Flower took over is excellent but is that down to the great talent in the side at the moment?.. I don't think it would matter who coached them to be honest.. I think Strauss should be a more aggressive Captain though.
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I'd like to see Strauss being a bit more aggressive but, if we're honest, would we actually win more games? His style of leadership has taken England to No1 in the test rankings after all.
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Jonny bairstow making his debut at lords, is it a good decision or too early in his career?
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Give him a go I say. I'd like to think Taylor is close as well. Bopara is unlucky but I can't say he's ignited the international circuit.
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Good decision. They've chose someone whose in good nick and one to keep for the future!
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Got to feel abit sorry for Kieron Powell, his first test match at Lords and they have put the wrong name up on the Scoreboard!
EDIT: Bresnan picked ahead of Finn and Onions, good call imo, shortens the tail and a decent bowler.
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Pick your best bowlers, tail wouldn't be long anyway with just Jimmy and Finn. Michael Holding agrees Finn should have been picked
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I don't get this talk of lengthening the tail, we'd still bat to 9 without Bres which is better than most test teams at the moment. Having said that Bres is the man in posession of the 4th bowler pick and he hasn't exactly done anything wrong has he! My biggest concern would be if Jimmy got injured and how we would cope with that.
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Bresnan doesn't exactly look threatening.
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Bresnan and Anderson Both need to be bowling from the Nursery End, Broad and Swann from the Pavillion End.
Has Bresser had a go from the Nursery end yet anyone? - That may answer the threatening point.
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Bresnan is a very good bowler, even if he couldn't bat I don't think he would be too far off the England team, as proven by his very solid performance this morning. Having him in the team relieves some of the pressure on the batsmen as they know now all 11 players can bat(Anderson can atleast hold up an end) and it helps the bowlers because it gives them a decent target to defend.
Plus he has won every Test he has played in, which isn't a coincidence.
EDIT:
Bresnan doesn't exactly look threatening.
Yes but he hasn't exactly been launched around the park either.
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It's a pretty average WI batting order, you'd expect him to look threatening in bowler friendly conditions. Jimmy had it swinging like a banana
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It's a pretty average WI batting order, you'd expect him to look threatening in bowler friendly conditions. Jimmy had it swinging like a banana
It will change when he switches ends...
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As I've put above, should be Finn bowling. :(
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Anderson bowling with a nice seam position
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Swann... Hands like feet with thongs on
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100-4 dreadful running
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Swanns Drop didn't cost much luckily
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That running was village, Priors throw to swann was village lol comedy of errors but ended well for England!
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Was Bravo's call Chanderpaul was ball watching
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Unfortunate....
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227-7 not bad....
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Just sitting down to watch today's highlights.. My missus reckons Darren Sammy looks like the Candyman
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Just got back from a very good day at Lord's. Windies did well i thought - Barath batted very well and deserved fifty, and they had a couple of very comfortable looking partnerships, one of which broken by a farcical run-out. Could've been an even better day for them. Broad bowled mostly (No Swearing Please) but somehow got 6-for, Jimmy was too good to get a bat on mostly and deserved more wickets, everyone else was pretty unthreatening. I'll probably get shot down but i'd have picked Onions instead of Broad, and FInn instead of Bresnan.
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Yeah, Broad should deffo not be playing. he only took a 7-fer. ???
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Yeah, Broad should deffo not be playing. he only took a 7-fer. ???
Probably will get a hundred as well now :)
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there keeper is dog chud lol
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seems as if the windies number 11 was using mars cricket. not a great start to show the kit
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Gabriel looks quite a good bowler
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And there is the problem with DRS, if the ball had gone on to hit Trott would of been out! Now for the Daddy ton!
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Bresnan Hundred!!... Just not with the bat.....
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WIndies now favourites - we just need a hundred partnership from somewhere... :o
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It will be over by lunch with the run rate they are scoring at
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120 more runs in 45 minutes, this is the test match you are talking about? not the IPL....
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It's more like a ODI runrate
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Squeeky Bum time methinks.
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3pm finish, maybe 2.45pm if these 2 are still at the crease.
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Don't know why they are persisting with Gabriel... Going for almost 6 per over
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they're going okay, but you get the feeling that a wicket now might change things - Bairstow will be nervous on debut, Prior is shaky early on and then its the bowler.
Wonder how much Sammy wishes he had Shillingford in the side right now though...
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or how about Narine - we would be in all sorts of trouble!!
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quite - you have to wonder about their forward planning and how hey managed to miss England's problems with mystery spinners!
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Think they have done very well with the players they have playing.
So many good players not playing for them.
Gayle,Nash,Sarwan,Bravo,Dwayne Smith,Andre Russell,Tino Best,Narine,Jerome Taylor,Pollard (not test),
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I am pretty glad that the team doesn't look like, for instance...
Gayle
Bareth
Sarwan
DM Bravo
Chanderpaul
Samuels
Ramdin
Narine
Taylor
Roach
Edwards
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Any changes for the second test?
Finn in for Bresnan. 1-144 in the match isn't great, Finn is a wicket taker.
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Any changes for the second test?
Finn in for Bresnan. 1-144 in the match isn't great, Finn is a wicket taker.
Yes, but he's 12 for 12!!!
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Finn will play in the second test, Edgebaston is a faster, bouncier pitch and I think the management will want to rotate workload - watch for anderson and broad to be rested for the third test if we have already won the series.
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I cannot believe Finn hasn't had a game, either terrible or great management which we'll only know at the end of the summer....
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I'd have to agree - Bresnan is one of my favourite players and I think he gets an unfair rep at some points, but on balance I think Finn is the call for Edgbaston.
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I was actually more surprised that Onions didn't get the call for this particular test match........he seems to me the perfect bowler for the conditions and his record at Lords is pretty good.
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Finn will play in the second test, Edgebaston is a faster, bouncier pitch and I think the management will want to rotate workload - watch for anderson and broad to be rested for the third test if we have already won the series.
Next test is Trent Bridge I think, which traditionally swings so think it will be unchanged. Final test is at Edgbaston as I have tickets for the Friday :D
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To be honest, I have always wondered how this Bresan guy is selected! Finn is a very good player all round, I don't know how many times Finn will have to prove himself. Poor fella sat out complete test series against Pakistan in UAE but when got a chance in ODIs he bambloozed Pakistan.
I'd rate him higher than Bresan.
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England are always worried about batting so like to have Bresnan in but I agree Finn all the way for me as bres will go for less runs but finn will get you more wickets
With Finn in broad would be 8 swann 9 so if that lot can't get the runs they need to look at the batsmen not sacrifice a bowler to help them out
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Think they have done very well with the players they have playing.
So many good players not playing for them.
Gayle,Nash,Sarwan,Bravo,Dwayne Smith,Andre Russell,Tino Best,Narine,Jerome Taylor,Pollard (not test),
Well, you can take one of them out easily... "Mind the windows"....
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Why is Nash not playing? He was there vice captain at a time, he Is in county if I'm not mistaken so why not call him?
Roco agreed mate, to be honest I'd even take Ajmal Shahzad over Bresan.
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I think Bresnan is underrated. Really hope he keeps his place for TB. One quiet game does not all of a sudden make him not good enough.
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think you'll need bresnan's batting at trent bridge. He'll get a bit more assistance from the conditions, as will all the bowlers - scary thought with Anderson!
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I think Bresnan is underrated. Really hope he keeps his place for TB. One quiet game does not all of a sudden make him not good enough.
Not saying what I said on premises of one test match.
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think you'll need bresnan's batting at trent bridge. He'll get a bit more assistance from the conditions, as will all the bowlers - scary thought with Anderson!
The thing is, he's now moving it too much! beating the bat by quite a bit, when it could be seen that getting only a bit of movement can cause the most damage.
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Not saying what I said on premises of one test match.
I take it that a batting average of 35.88 and 44 wickets in 12 matches at 26.88 means he's not very good then, or not worth his spot?
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Not saying what I said on premises of one test match.
Really? So the fact England have won in every test match he has played in is largely irrelevant? Personally I'd have him in my side any day of the week!
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Really? So the fact England have won in every test match he has played in is largely irrelevant? Personally I'd have him in my side any day of the week!
Good for England if they won every test match whilst he was playing mate, I couldn't care less really.
I said what I wanted to say, it was merely my opinion. You agree or disagree with it doesn't bothers me :).
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viv Richards said he thought Finn should be in the team.
I would be picking him for the next game personally.
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Really? So the fact England have won in every test match he has played in is largely irrelevant? Personally I'd have him in my side any day of the week!
Actually it is largely irrelevant......I would expect him to be picked on his ability not because he is a 'lucky mascot'!
Pick any from Finn, Bresnan or Onions for the next test....they'll all do the job....
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Actually it is largely irrelevant......I would expect him to be picked on his ability not because he is a 'lucky mascot'!
Pick any from Finn, Bresnan or Onions for the next test....they'll all do the job....
Cricket is a team game but much of it is based around individuals, if someone has won every game they have played in then clearly they are doing something right. He has a batting average of 36 and a bowling average of around 27 in Test matches, he isn't just a 'lucky mascot'..
I would say Anderson, Broad and Swann are possibly the best 3 man attack in the world right now, the 4th bowler isn't as important to England as it is to other sides because of how well those 3 are playing at the moment. The batting line-up on the other hand has been a bit iffy so I would prefer someone who can bat down the order and is handy with the ball such as Bresnan rather than a pure bowler like Finn or Onions.
EDIT: Also, Finn is 23 so I think he should be left to mature in the CC for another year before being put into the team, you don't want to rush him in like we did with Anderson.
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Swann is batting 10 in this test....we are not short of batting! Picking Bresnan on the basis of his batting average in a 4 man attack is just plain daft! He's a great bowler, worth his place in the side, I'm just saying that Onions or Finn would be a better shout if conditions dictate. Horses for courses and all that....
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Well, you can take one of them out easily... "Mind the windows"....
Tino Best been recalled to replace Gabriel !
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Tino Best been recalled to replace Gabriel !
So I saw.. Who's going to repeat that immortal line to him at Trent Bridge....?
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So I saw.. Who's going to repeat that immortal line to him at Trent Bridge....?
I'm there on Sunday, I'll shout it at him if you like haha
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You all know who it'll be shouting it, keep your eyes (or ears) on Swanny!
Just out interest, apart from some glazing, what has Tino been doing over the last couple of years?
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That's true, he loves causing trouble haha
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And here is the immortal moment;
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/182846.html?object=51436;page=2
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In case anyone has noticed - the second test has started, Eng are unchanged, WI made two changed - they also won the toss and are batting.
24-1 after 7, Barath ct Anderson b Broad for 0
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45.3
Swann to Chanderpaul, OUT, tossed up, pitches on the stumps, beats the bat and hits the back leg. Rauf says no but England review it. Swann is convinced. Is it hitting off? The height is okay and there's no bat involved. They've got him, the decision is overturned! If pitched on off and straightened, would have hit about three-quarters of the way up. Swann has his first Test wicket at Trent Bridge and England have got their man
S Chanderpaul lbw b Swann 46 (86b 9x4 0x6) SR: 53.48
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Looks like Sunday could be a good day for me then as I'm going to watch!
Hopefully see the back end of the England innings, and then see us rip out the Windies for next to nothing :D
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Looks like Sunday could be a good day for me then as I'm going to watch!
Hopefully see the back end of the England innings, and then see us rip out the Windies for next to nothing :D
Looks like you're going to have a great day, although Windies do have a mystry spinner in Shillingford, and we all know what happened when England last faced one of those!
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That's a very good point! lol.
Hopefully we have got over that, and on our own tracks we will be able to play him properly!
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True, and from what I've seen the wicket isn't doing much either.
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That's alright then! I was looking forward to seeing Tino steaming in if I'm honest though lol
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I was quite disappointed to see that he isn't playing!
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Shillingford is just normal offspin bowler, Narine is the mystery spinner
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My club have organised a load of us to go, there's 30 of us all together, we had a chant sorted for him and everything!
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See if you can get KP fined instead! :D
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Anybody else think that despite his knock today and the Windies missing many players, Darren Sammy shouldnt be in the side? A below par bowler at best.
A far better attack would be Edwards, Shillingford, Rampaul and Roach, Sammy isnt a wicket taker and doesnt really contain.
This is definitely not a case of the Aussie method of the captian being picked from the best 11 players
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Anybody else think that despite his knock today and the Windies missing many players, Darren Sammy shouldnt be in the side? A below par bowler at best.
A far better attack would be Edwards, Shillingford, Rampaul and Roach, Sammy isnt a wicket taker and doesnt really contain.
This is definitely not a case of the Aussie method of the captian being picked from the best 11 players
Without Sammy in the side, would the WI team play as well as they do with him there?
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Shillingford is just normal offspin bowler, Narine is the mystery spinner
He took ten-fer against Australia in the WI, admittedly on a spinning wicket. Looked a decent bowler.
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Anybody else think that despite his knock today and the Windies missing many players, Darren Sammy shouldnt be in the side? A below par bowler at best.
A far better attack would be Edwards, Shillingford, Rampaul and Roach, Sammy isnt a wicket taker and doesnt really contain.
This is definitely not a case of the Aussie method of the captian being picked from the best 11 players
Sammy himself probably isn't good enough to merit a place in the team, however his ability to unite the team more than makes up for his limited talent. I feel sorry for the West Indies, the personal rivalries amongst the team combined with the lure of the IPL means the talent they do have is being wasted.
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England with a mini collapse
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Great day at the test today, sunburnt lovely beer and a good day for england :D
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If Bairstow is the quality of the English batsmen coming through, no wonder they chase South Africans so hard.
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If Bairstow is the quality of the English batsmen coming through, no wonder they chase South Africans so hard.
Bit harsh I feel, he's only had two innings, so its hard to judge. Would love to have seen anyone in the England team deal with Roach this morning
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Struass did no drama's.
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I also don't see how you can make this judgement after 2 innings?
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Bairstow looked well out of his depth, was quite surprised to see that.Should get another crack though. i'd quite like to see Carberry have another go once Bairstow fails again!
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Bairstow looked really rushed against the short ball, had a torrid time according to Athers
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It does worry me how Roach has caused issues for most of the batsmen, when he wouldn't make it into the SA attack
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It's such a shame the West Indies have this habit of having an abysmal session every time they play. I've watched their last five tests (the three against Australia and these two) and they've been more than competitive in each, but for a horrid, horrid session in each test. If they can eliminate those wobbles they might be a decent side.
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Still, they are missing Sarwan, Gayle and Narine to name but a few. If you took two of Englands top 4 out as well as Swann, they'd struggle
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Still, they are missing Sarwan, Gayle and Narine to name but a few. If you took two of Englands top 4 out as well as Swann, they'd struggle
Im not sure they'd do too badly England have quite a few players who could come into the team.
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Im not sure they'd do too badly England have quite a few players who could come into the team.
I doubt they'd be no 1 in the world though. Players like Bopara and Morgan have proven they're not cut out to be test elites. Lets not forget CH Gayle is one of only 4 men to have more than one triple century to their name.
Im not saying England wouldn't beat them, and comfortably at that but people must realise the players the WI have lost as well as the lack of resources, no Centres of Excellence or Performance Institutes that England are blessed with
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I doubt they'd be no 1 in the world though. Players like Bopara and Morgan have proven they're not cut out to be test elites. Lets not forget CH Gayle is one of only 4 men to have more than one triple century to their name.
Im not saying England wouldn't beat them, and comfortably at that but people must realise the players the WI have lost as well as the lack of resources, no Centres of Excellence or Performance Institutes that England are blessed with
Definitely agree with you, If the west indies cricket board had a decent system in place and was run properly I think they could have one of the better sides in world cricket.
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That said I do think that Barath and Powell have showed some promise and talent, however they have shown to be naive and inexperienced, but they are only starting their careers. On the other hand Kirk Edwards looks like a walking wicket, and they have a problem at WK
But a lineup of Gayle, Barath/Powell, Sarwan, Bravo, Chanderpaul, Samuels, Ramdin, Sammy, Narine, Edwards and Roach would give most teams a game.
Still dont think Sammy is of test class, but in as skipper, otherwise Shilingford/Rampaul
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Do you think jerome taylor will ever get back into the team as he has shown promise in the past?
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I'd actually forgotten all about him, not only the WICB's radar he's fallen off! Can't say I know anything about his current form, but he did have an excellent series against England in 09. Who knows with all the politics surronding the WICB
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Still, they are missing Sarwan, Gayle and Narine to name but a few. If you took two of Englands top 4 out as well as Swann, they'd struggle
Narine's never played a test though. Good bowler, but untested at this level so can't really make the comparison.
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You could argue Narine is in a similar boat to Bairstow in that Bairstow's chance came at ODI/T20 level originally and some decent form and an injury gave him his Test place.
They would be unlikely to drop Shillingford for Narine in the short term given Shillingford's performance vs. Aus. Also, Narine needs more time to see if he'll get found out. Mendis had the same mystery a few years ago and then he got found out at the top level.
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I could easily see them dropping Shillingford for Narine. Given all the hype surrounding Narine and his willingness to play test cricket, I don't see why they wouldn't drop Shillingford, who is just an average off spinner. And having only played 8 tests and his wickets coming at a strike rate of nearly 15 overs per wicket, he's hardly undroppable.
I think Narine is also a bit different to Mendis, Narine turns his stock ball (offy) more than Mendis, and uses his variations more sparingly. No doubt he will be picked, but then again most spinners can be picked, but there "other" one still does damage.
But yes, a lot of hype over a player who has only 6 First Class games to his name
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I agree that they possibly should, but I'm not sure they would. And I agree with Narine being a different bowler as well. As you said, he turns it a fair whack more, and I think (hope) he won't fade away like Mendis. It will be interesting to see what he does on UK pitches. If WI get their full team together, could be dark horses for the T20 world cup....
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Alec Stewart column: Too early to judge Jonny Bairstow
By Alec Stewart Former England captain and BBC Radio 5 live summariser
England produced another highly professional display to beat the West Indies at Trent Bridge and wrap up a seventh straight home series win.
The only negative was some of the questions raised over Yorkshire batsman Jonny Bairstow after his difficulties in the face of some short-pitched bowling from Windies paceman Kemar Roach.
In my view, people have been far too quick to cast doubt over Bairstow's credentials as a Test player.
He was given a working over by Roach and was eventually caught off a leading edge, but it's far too early too say whether he has a genuine problem with short-pitched bowling or whether it was simply a bad 10 minutes, which everyone has at times in their batting careers.
On my Test debut, against the Windies in Jamaica in 1990, I gloved a ball from Ian Bishop from right in front of my nose to second slip. Anyone watching could easily have concluded that I had a weakness against short-pitched bowling, but it soon became clear that it was one of the strongest parts of my game.
Bairstow is a young player with huge potential who is still finding his feet in the Test match arena, but I haven't seen anything to suggest he can't be a fine Test cricketer.
If there are any issues that he is not happy with, I am certain that he will be working overtime with Andy Flower and Graham Gooch to put them right.
I was fortune enough to receive coaching and advice from Geoffrey Boycott during the early part of my career.
Before heading off to the Caribbean for that tour in 1990, he helped me tune in to the chin music I was likely to face by organising some intense training sessions at the indoor school at Headingley.
He had six young Yorkshire bowlers firing down brand new balls at me from 17 yards with a clear instruction to hit me on the head. If they didn't pitch it short enough they received a rollicking from the great man himself.
Those sessions were torrid, the toughest I have ever experienced. They lasted an hour and a half and I came out of them with a fair few bumps and bruises, but they ensured that I flew out to the Windies fully prepared for the type of barrage I would be receiving from their quick bowlers.
I'm a firm believer in the motto that if you practise hard, you play easy. Part of being a top player is finding solutions to any issues and constantly striving to better yourself. That applies just as much to young players like Jonny Bairstow as it does to players approaching the end of their careers.
While it takes a fair bit of nit-picking to find fault in England's batting, the Windies' problems are there for all to see.
Their inexperienced top four have found life very difficult and at the moment they don't look close to coming up with any answers.
The fundamentals of batting are the same at whatever level you play: shot selection, having the right mindset, not trying to hit the ball too hard and putting a high price on your wicket.
The Windies top four all have talent but they have been making some poor decisions at the crease and leaving their middle order with far too much work to do.
It is new territory for a lot of these players and they will not have previously faced a seam attack of the quality of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan.
Once again, the trio were outstanding at Trent Bridge and I was particularly pleased for Bresnan, who may not have the glamour of Anderson and Broad but is just as valuable to the team.
He puts in the hard yards in the middle of the innings but still has the talent to take wickets with the old ball. He is a fine cricketer who will just get better and better.
England's seamers all bowled more than 100 overs in the first two Tests and there will be some debate over whether one of them needs to be rested at Edgbaston.
I used to be totally against resting players because I believed you had to earn the right to play for your country, but I've now taken my blinkers off and appreciate that it's a tough international schedule. If there are little windows for rest, people should take them.
Anderson is the obvious candidate to sit out this Test and it is definitely worth a discussion. They will take a common sense approach, mindful of the need to respect the opposition and the game. But their most important concern will be picking a team capable of wrapping up a 3-0 series whitewash.
Alec Stewart was speaking to BBC Sport's Sam Sheringham
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Roach out for the tour. Narine in. Can't wait to see how England do against him.
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So assume Narine will come in for Shillingford. (Mind the windows) Tino to replace Roach then?
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http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-west-indies-2012/content/current/story/567561.html
really? wouldnt you use the keeper in the team already and put a batsman in? I must admit i dont know much about what davies has done this year. anything good other than a little bit in one day cricket?
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Maybe seeing as Bairstow is struggling with the bat, it'd be a bit bad to put more pressure on him with the gloves!
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possibly, but would you want someone whos not played international cricket for a while being a lower order batsman and keeper? hopefully prior will be fit. worst case atleast its only the windies and we have won the series.
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Well yeah theres that, but I think he'd be fine. He seems in good nick in all competitions. I'd like Davies to debut.
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Looking at the forecast it's not going to matter who plays....
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Prior has said on twitter it is very much a precaution and he fully expects to be fine to play. Our club is going on the Friday...already making plans for a day with no play :(
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I think England should rest Bresnan for this match so he keeps his unbeaten record intact :D because looking at the weather I cannot see anything apart from a draw
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Although it was rained off today I got to see a few of the players and shake hands/take pictures which was nice.
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Was disappointed there was no play, but the debates on Sky about Anderson being rested (Gower, Bumble and Botham) and Pietersen's retirement from ODI/T20 (Gower, Nasser, Atherton) were very good and I enjoyed watching them.
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Has England taken this test too light hearted? A number 11 on his way to a ton.. Pretty embarrassing
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Today was a bit of a shambles in the field. Best rode his luck and it nearly paid off. Thought Ramdin was a bit of a pleb for his reaction to sir Viv's comments.
Shame Strauss didn't get a few more runs. Pietersen got some then got out, there seems to be 3 types of Pietersen 1) gets out cheaply, 2) gets about 50/60 then throws his wicket away and 3) gets loads of runs.
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One of the most entertaining days highlights ive seen in ages! Would have been an amazing celebration if Tino reached a ton!
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After all the build up (including by myself) Narine seemed to struggle today with his line and length, and seemed rather ineffective.
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Resting your two senior bowlers sends a very clear message to the team from management, "We aren't taking this match particularly seriously". What kind of reaction do you expect from the rest of the team? As much as anything, it would serve Flower right if the match was lost, but given the forecast today, I think even England would struggle to achieve that.