***Official*** Sri Lanka in the West Indies

[TT Boy]

Best Windies XI i think:

Gayle
Ganga/Chattergoon - depening if the selectors are willing to give Ganga one more chance
Sarwan
Samuels
Chanderpaul
Bravo
Browne - would pick him over Ramdin ATM
Sammy
Taylor
Powell
Edwards

I would make a few amendments, Mohammed in for Sammy, Ramdin over Browne, Chanderpaul to bat at four, Samuels at five and finally either Powell or Edwards to be dropped for Collins.

[roseboy64]

The first Test is on the 22nd while the penultimate FC match before the Finals ends on the 17th. A clearer idea should be formed by then. Ryan Hinds the only real contender with the bat. Marshall the only opener. For the bowlers though are more contenders for spots. Odean Brown, Benn, Miller, Bennett, Jaggernauth, Mohammed, Collins and Lawson all have a shot IMO.

[garage flower]

Can't imagine Lawson has any shot. Last I read he was still pelting and had lost his pace. If Collins is available and in reasonable form and fitness he should certainly play. Otherwise, it's Taylor + AN Other x2 with a spin option in there somewhere. Based on regional performances, I guess the selectors should look at Bennett and Jaggernauth.

I expect any ambitious opening batsmen in the region will call it a day if Ganga is retained. Time to move on. I guess Chattergoon is best placed to replace him at this stage.

Somebody predicted earlier in the thread that Samuels was going to be one of the players of the series, which may or may not have been tongue in cheek (as it would entail him producing back-to-back successful series, something which has proved way beyond him in the past), but I'm sure he'll be in the middle order if he's not still in hiding. Don't see why Chanderpaul - as the best batsman by far - shouldn't bat at 3, followed by Samuels, Sarwan, Bravo.

From what I saw in South Africa, Ramdin should probably hang onto the gloves, but good to see Browne pushing him.

[lionheart]

I've been thinking about this since SL lost the ODI series against England in Sri Lanka late last year. The Australian summer has just confirmed it. The rapid decline of SL since the high of last years World Cup and tours of England and New Zealand has been stunning.

The squad for West Indies is baffling. You would think that WI tour, with it's friendly conditions and relatively weak opposition, provide an opportunity to blood some new players and rest some weary legs (ie Vaas/Murali/Dilshan). There are a few obligatory selections which I welcome (Warnapura/Thushara) but how on earth does Samaraweera a run? It's a perfect illustration of why SL is in free fall.

I can't quite work out what went wrong, though I've got plenty of ideas. But whats more worrying is the bleak future ahead. I haven't been able to follow SL domestic cricket for some time, so I'm not sure just how empty the cupboards are. What can SL cricket fans look forward to?

[NUFAN]

but how on earth does Samaraweera a run?

He's probably been a victim of brown magic again tbh.

[aussie]

I would make a few amendments, Mohammed in for Sammy, Ramdin over Browne, Chanderpaul to bat at four, Samuels at five and finally either Powell or Edwards to be dropped for Collins.

The spin cupboard in the caribbean is pretty average ATM, but i definately would not pick Mohammed based on what i've seen of him on the international stage he doesn't look like he would run through many sides. The spinner in the WI ATM from what i understand is Amit Jaggernaut but then again i reckon the WI are better off sticking to what bests for them in their pacemen.

Ramdin/Browne is pretty close ATM i feel. Ramdin hasn't cashed in alot with the bat since 2005 while his keeping after going through a rough patch has tightened up again, but with Browne's emergence as an obviously more technical sound batsman than him with on par keeping skills, Ramdin's unchallenged ride in the side is over.

Agreed Collins should be in that side, gives them some control, but Powell/Taylor/Edwards looked impressive in SA, so if anyone is to be dropped maybe Edwards since he tends to be the most eratic of the trio that played in SA recently.

[aussie]

Yes, would probably stick with Ganga for now, and would bat Chanderpaul at four, Samuels at five.

Ramdin still edges it for me. Depeneding on pitches, I may also consider an extra batsman and move Bravo to seven. Just a thought. My experiment side may look a little like this :

1. Gayle
2. Ganga
3. Sarwan
4. Chanderpaul
5. Samuels
6. Hinds R, Morton, etc
7. Bravo
8. Ramdin
9. Taylor
10. Powell
11. Edwards

Think this gives the side a much deeper batting depth, while can still boast a bowling attack of Powell, Taylor, Edwards, Bravo, Gayle, Hinds (possibly).

Hinds would be a good option here no doubt, but is he ready for test cricket ATM, didn't seem so when i saw him when vs ENG in 04, but he has the talent.

[chaminda_00]

SL at it's lowest is much stronger than WI. SL have a brittle batting line up, but one good innigs from Sanga and Mahela will give them a good score to ball against WIndies. With the form that SL bowlers are in (except Murali, who is in a bad patch) WIndies batsman are in for a real testing series. SL bowlers are so different to each other, swing bowlers, slingers, fast bowlers and seam bowlers, you have evry variety.

WI have those types of bowlers too ya know. Collins swings it. Edwards is a slinger. Taylor's a fast bowler. And I'm pretty sure Sammy can be considered a seam bowler.

Yeah but I think the point is more the fact that we have a better bowling attack to make the most of varietys. Well atleast on paper, performance wise over the last couple months they would be on par.

[chaminda_00]

I've been thinking about this since SL lost the ODI series against England in Sri Lanka late last year. The Australian summer has just confirmed it. The rapid decline of SL since the high of last years World Cup and tours of England and New Zealand has been stunning.

The squad for West Indies is baffling. You would think that WI tour, with it's friendly conditions and relatively weak opposition, provide an opportunity to blood some new players and rest some weary legs (ie Vaas/Murali/Dilshan). There are a few obligatory selections which I welcome (Warnapura/Thushara) but how on earth does Samaraweera a run? It's a perfect illustration of why SL is in free fall.

I can't quite work out what went wrong, though I've got plenty of ideas. But whats more worrying is the bleak future ahead. I haven't been able to follow SL domestic cricket for some time, so I'm not sure just how empty the cupboards are. What can SL cricket fans look forward to?

When it comes to depth their is some talent coming through. The SCC trio of Paranavitana, JK Silva and Kandamby are starting to find their feet in domestic and don't look too far off International cricket. Kandamby in particular has been in amazing form.

I mentioned before that all rounders Matthews and Kosela Kulasekara are starting to find their feet at FC level and producing some really good performances with the bat atleast. Both are a bit up and down with the ball.

There are also a couple opening batsmen who are showing some promise in Udawatte, Kanchana Gunawardene and Nawela. Udawatte looks the closest to being at International level but still is quite hit and miss.

Bowling wise Ajantha Mendis has been the pick of bowlers, but he not much more then a nude bowler and has just been dominating the poor batting line ups for Tier B. Spinners Sachithra Senanayake and Chanaka Komasaru have looked quite good this season, with Senanayake showing some real positive signs in his first full season. Not many young seamers really putting their hand up though. Thurshara and Kulasekara have probably been the pick, but have been a bit inconsistent.

Can't understand though why you would consider resting Dilshan, he just came back into the Test side. Samaraweera deserves his spot, he has been by far the best batsmen in domestic cricket this season. I actually think there is pretty good balance between youth and experience in the squad.

Also with the selection of experienced rookies like Thurshara, Amersinghe, Warnapura and previously Silva and Vandort. I think in Test cricket atleast guys are going to have to perform a lot more in domestic cricket before they get selected. No point selecting some on potential when they aren't ready yet. Just look what happened to Tharanga and potentially Kapu.

It is all about balance. No doubt there is talent coming through. But majority are a season or two away from being ready for International cricket. Unless they are putting up some massive numbers like Kandamby they are probably better off waiting unless they truelly are the best option like Udawatte, Kulasekara or Matthews. But the fact those guys are best option has more to do with lack of options in those positions, not the fact they are ready.

[roseboy64]

The spin cupboard in the caribbean is pretty average ATM, but i definately would not pick Mohammed based on what i've seen of him on the international stage he doesn't look like he would run through many sides. The spinner in the WI ATM from what i understand is Amit Jaggernaut but then again i reckon the WI are better off sticking to what bests for them in their pacemen.

Ramdin/Browne is pretty close ATM i feel. Ramdin hasn't cashed in alot with the bat since 2005 while his keeping after going through a rough patch has tightened up again, but with Browne's emergence as an obviously more technical sound batsman than him with on par keeping skills, Ramdin's unchallenged ride in the side is over.

Agreed Collins should be in that side, gives them some control, but Powell/Taylor/Edwards looked impressive in SA, so if anyone is to be dropped maybe Edwards since he tends to be the most eratic of the trio that played in SA recently.

I'd drop Powell not Edwards. Also, Mohammed is better than Jaggernauth. Spin cupboard seems average because they don't get much of a chance when in actuality spinners have been dominating amongst bowlers for the last few years at least.

Yeah but I think the point is more the fact that we have a better bowling attack to make the most of varietys. Well atleast on paper, performance wise over the last couple months they would be on par.

May be true but he made an ignorant statement.

[TT Boy]

The spin cupboard in the caribbean is pretty average ATM, but i definately would not pick Mohammed based on what i've seen of him on the international stage he doesn't look like he would run through many sides. The spinner in the WI ATM from what i understand is Amit Jaggernaut but then again i reckon the WI are better off sticking to what bests for them in their pacemen.

Ramdin/Browne is pretty close ATM i feel. Ramdin hasn't cashed in alot with the bat since 2005 while his keeping after going through a rough patch has tightened up again, but with Browne's emergence as an obviously more technical sound batsman than him with on par keeping skills, Ramdin's unchallenged ride in the side is over.

Agreed Collins should be in that side, gives them some control, but Powell/Taylor/Edwards looked impressive in SA, so if anyone is to be dropped maybe Edwards since he tends to be the most eratic of the trio that played in SA recently.

Yeah, in one test, the other times it was Taylor on his lonesome.

[roseboy64]

True Powell always starts well then fades away. He's 29 now IIRC and won't get much better. Replace him with someone more experienced and better like Collins or someone younger and better like Lawson, although looks unlikely for him in this series as he's a Kolpak now.

[chaminda_00]

West Indies spin options are a lot better then they look. Most seem to out bowl the seamers in domestic cricket. It just they never seem to get a chance at International level and when they do, they are poorly used.

[lionheart]

When it comes to depth their is some talent coming through. The SCC trio of Paranavitana, JK Silva and Kandamby are starting to find their feet in domestic and don't look too far off International cricket. Kandamby in particular has been in amazing form.

I mentioned before that all rounders Matthews and Kosela Kulasekara are starting to find their feet at FC level and producing some really good performances with the bat atleast. Both are a bit up and down with the ball.

There are also a couple opening batsmen who are showing some promise in Udawatte, Kanchana Gunawardene and Nawela. Udawatte looks the closest to being at International level but still is quite hit and miss.

Bowling wise Ajantha Mendis has been the pick of bowlers, but he not much more then a nude bowler and has just been dominating the poor batting line ups for Tier B. Spinners Sachithra Senanayake and Chanaka Komasaru have looked quite good this season, with Senanayake showing some real positive signs in his first full season. Not many young seamers really putting their hand up though. Thurshara and Kulasekara have probably been the pick, but have been a bit inconsistent.

Can't understand though why you would consider resting Dilshan, he just came back into the Test side. Samaraweera deserves his spot, he has been by far the best batsmen in domestic cricket this season. I actually think there is pretty good balance between youth and experience in the squad.

Also with the selection of experienced rookies like Thurshara, Amersinghe, Warnapura and previously Silva and Vandort. I think in Test cricket atleast guys are going to have to perform a lot more in domestic cricket before they get selected. No point selecting some on potential when they aren't ready yet. Just look what happened to Tharanga and potentially Kapu.

It is all about balance. No doubt there is talent coming through. But majority are a season or two away from being ready for International cricket. Unless they are putting up some massive numbers like Kandamby they are probably better off waiting unless they truelly are the best option like Udawatte, Kulasekara or Matthews. But the fact those guys are best option has more to do with lack of options in those positions, not the fact they are ready.

Good post.

I’m not talking about giving young players extended runs, but a WI tour and future ones against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, are ones to give potential talent a chance.

I've previously wanted Dilshan in Test squads, but now I'm a bit indifferent to him. He certainly isn't getting any younger or more consistent. I'd prefer to see new blood for the WI tour. If we were touring Australia or South Africa, I'd say differently. Samaraweera on the other hand is 107.4% useless and there no scenario in which I'd have him suit up for Sri Lanka again. He got his reward for consistency in Australia and he failed spectacularly. He is too old to continue offering chances to.

I caught a couple of u19 WC games on ESPN, there looks to be a couple of interesting players there. Sachith Pathirana in particular looks to b e a gun. The fast bowling stocks though look pretty poor.

[chaminda_00]

You make it sound like Dilshan and Samaraweera are in their mid to late 30s. Dilshan and Samaraweera are only 31. Some guys only make their International debuts at that age. From what they showed at domestic level, they actually look like both are improving as batsmen, not declining.

You don't drop guys who are averaging near 40, something most batsmen in Sri Lanka's history have failed to do because they might have failed against the best attack in world. If they consistently under perform at Test level and guys below them are out performing them, then fair enough. But both have dominated domestic cricket and showed signs of improvements and are still young with five or so years left in International Cricket.

Also West Indies aren't a side you bring in youngsters for the sake of it, unless they are performing at domestic level. They are a lot better side then what they have been in the recent past. Their performances in the South Africa showed that.