*Official* Sri Lanka in West Indies

[R_Powell_fan]

But he does look a decent prospect.

Indeed he does, not many 18 year olds can bowl at 88 mph with as good a control over line and length as him.....

he's been included in the 14 for the 1st Test vs SRL, what do ya reckon Liam, isn't that a bit too young for a fast bowler to make his debut..... then again who am I to be the judge on that anyway....

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yes. I think he's been included to justify his ODI selection because I doubt that they will actually play him bar injury. I believe he should play another FC season first. They should play Collymore and Powell (D) ahead of him certainly. Once more, I cry out for a place for Dave Mohammed.....

 

[marc71178]

Methinks the selectors went OTT in selecting him for the 1st Test, and WI need some quick wickets tomorrow.

 

[Andre]

All this talk of Taylor, and he comes up with a usless display on day 1!

Knowing the West Indian selectors, he will probably now join Tino Best on the scrap heap - I doubt they will pick him again in a hurry.

 

[R_Powell_fan]

Maybe Ricardo Powell should've been given a chance instead of Marlon Samuels.....

I think now that they've given Taylor a chance, they should keep him as he will only learn from such experiences.

 

[Andre]

Naturally, I agree with persevering with Taylor.

My point more is though, that they should have done the same with Best - but he's on the scrapheap, and he is almost certainly the more talented yet tempramental of the 2.

Will be interesting to see how that unfolds. Btw, has Vasbert been rested? He's a very clever bowler and good to have in a Test to create pressure. I hope he has not been dropped.

 

[luckyeddie]

There's a big school of thought that says 'Ricardo Powell - one-day specialist'.

I call 'rubbish'. Get him in.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Ricardo Powell shouldn't be allowed near the Test team and certainly not for Samuels. Samuels played beautifully against SL in the ODI's and was MOS. Powell doesn't have the patience to bat for long periods and I think it's because he played quite a bit of ODI cricket before Test cricket.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Will be interesting to see how that unfolds. Btw, has Vasbert been rested? He's a very clever bowler and good to have in a Test to create pressure. I hope he has not been dropped.

Vasbert has been dropped in favour of Taylor, which is pure crap from my perspective. Taylor shouldn't be in the team at this point in his career. He should've played another FC season first.

 

[V Reddy]

I see that SRL has picked just 4 batsman and some bowling all rounders. Is it due to the respect they have for windies bowling

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Don't mind that one of those "bowling allrounders" averages 83 in Test cricket. :rolleyes:

Besides, isn't it 5 batsmen? Jayasuriya, Atapattu, Jayawardene, Sangakarra, Tillekeratne. Or do you consider Jayasuriya a (hehe) bowling allrounder.

They pick 5 bats, 1 keeper, an allrounder who is very capable with the bat (41 FC avge) two spinners and two seamers.

Looks like a typical balanced team and a typical SL team. Im summation, yep, I agree - total disrespect :rolleyes:. I'm sorry, but I fail to see your undoubtedly valid point.

 

[V Reddy]

Yeah sorry just noticed it. The batting looked weak for me.

 

[luckyeddie]

I bet the Sri Lankans eyes lit up when they saw the pitch totally devoid of pace - they seem to play the wars of attrition better than most.

Sri Lanka 354, West Indies now 31-1.

Daren Ganga got himself out playing an almost Clarke-esque heave across the line, plumb LBW. Awful shot.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

West Indies doing it easily now. Utility-man Hinds playing superbly and Lara....well it's Lara .

161/2 off 32 overs. RR- 4.93
WW Hinds 74*(81) 3 fours : 4 sixes
BC Lara 36* (47) 3 fours

Muralitharan 9-0-52-1

 

[luckyeddie]

Hinds is just amazing. FOUR sixes so far. Murali's eyes spent most of their time looking like those hat pegs you get in chapels.

I am sooooo looking forward to watching some of this tomorrow.

IMO, the West Indies approach to batting deserves to pay off with a handsome victory. Sri Lanka today were shockingly dull. I blamed the pitch (it is slow and low) but Lara and Hinds have showed the way to go.

 

[marc71178]

What was the reasoning behind Hinds and ganga switching slots?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

1/ Left-hand/right-hand combo.
2/ Ganga has opened for most of his career.
3/ Hinds has had his most success at 3.
4/ Vaas tends to trouble left-handers alot.
5/ Lara was in a creative mood.

Pick one.

 

[luckyeddie]

I wouldn't pick number 3, but any of the others will do.

It's pretty marginal, really between opening and number 3.

(average 33 and 32, I think)

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He's actually averaged close to 35 at 3 and has his highest Test score.

 

[Eclipse]

Hinds likes to hit sixes doesent he


Lara is the best player of spin in the world IMO cant wait to see him take on Muril tomorow.