***Official*** India in West Indies

[Prince EWS]

That young, promising wicketkeeper batsman couldn't hit a six!

And of course that automatically means he is useless and should never be given a game....

 

[Arjun]

And of course that automatically means he is useless and should never be given a game....

He got so many games, didn't he? Even then, they were too afraid to play him in ODI's, and got Rahul Dravid to do the job– and even he played like Gilchrist in comparison!

 

[Arjun]

What are your comments on Dwayne Smith? Another West Indian batsman who can hit the ball really, really hard (must be something about them) and also bowl chunks of (steady medium-pace) overs, but doesn't seem a regular in the side. Do you think he can add more options and powerr to this team? He did rather well in that tournament in Sri Lanka last year.

 

[adharcric]

Why not? Munaf can score runs, but he's not putting that to much use now, and won't get a chance. In fact, he's replacing JP Yadav, a practising all-rounder, (Zaheer was a stop-gap pick) in the current ODI squad. Moreover—

• Munaf struggles with the new ball, while Yadav can use it well.
• Munaf bowls way too many no-balls and wides, which can weaken the bowling side.
• Munaf has fielding issues.
• Yadav can also score runs, so a fifth bowler can make the side. The Indians have often struggled with four bowlers.
• Next time someone brings up the age factor, I can only say– look at Parthiv Patel. That young, promising wicketkeeper batsman couldn't hit a six! Yadav, on the other hand, is seasoned and ready for India.

If Andrew Hall and Ashley Giles can make frontline teams, why now JP Yadav?

I don't know man. To me, Yadav will never have anywhere near the impact Munaf can have with the ball. I don't see Yadav troubling international batsman.
Neither Munaf or Zaheer are replacing Yadav as all-rounders ... only a very select few may think so.
Parthiv Patel is irrelevant; as long as we have Pravin Kumar and Joginder Sharma around as younger options, I don't see Yadav getting the chance.

 

[Don]

smith seems a good alrounder but he is inconsistent with his batting

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

What are your comments on Dwayne Smith? Another West Indian batsman who can hit the ball really, really hard (must be something about them) and also bowl chunks of (steady medium-pace) overs, but doesn't seem a regular in the side. Do you think he can add more options and powerr to this team? He did rather well in that tournament in Sri Lanka last year.

The thing about Dwayne Smith is that he hits the ball powerfully yet so effortlessly. It's magical to watch. The problem is shot selection and his tendency to play the ball on the onside all the time. That said, he played a very impressive innings of 30 off 18 balls against Zimbabwe on Sunday. He only made 30, but he was out to some smart bowling from Chibhabha, and it was attempting an offside shot. It was also a late-innings knock.

In that innings he played much straighter, hit the ball along the ground more frequently, and hit an offside six that made me proud. It shows that he's actually maturing in his game, if only for that innings.

As long as he's bowling well (which he has been for the last few months), I have no problem with him playing ODI cricket, once he doesn't take a bastman's spot. Currently he bats at 7 or 8, which is the perfect spot for him. I think he needs to sort himself out more before playing Tests again, however.

I've always maintained that Dwayne Smith is the most naturally talented player I've seen since Lara. He's also been one of the stupidest and most frustrating though.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He got so many games, didn't he? Even then, they were too afraid to play him in ODI's, and got Rahul Dravid to do the job– and even he played like Gilchrist in comparison!

Rahul Dravid only hits a six on average every 10 or so innings. The fact that those stats are flawed shows that most innings he doesn't hit a six at all. Poor show, Mr Dravid.

Parthiv Patel has only played 10 innings in his ODI career...

The last time Rahul Dravid hit a six was 18 games/innings ago, during his 103 not out vs Sri Lanka. Poor show, Mr. Dravid.

Parthiv Patel has only played 14 games in his ODI career...

 

[Sanz]

Right on Arjun, but please don't put Munaf Patel and JP Yadav together.
I know you like Yadav but he doesn't have a realistic chance of returning as he's a penetrative domestic bowler but I'm questioning his impact at the international level, plus he's already 30+.

JP yadav is better than Kapildev.

 

[Sanz]

I don't see Yadav troubling international batsman.

Yadav can only trouble himself.

 

[adharcric]

Good news. Tendulkar recovery progressing very well. I'd prefer him trying to regain test form against the West Indian seamers rather than the South African seamers, but this could be a good opportunity to test our depth and let Laxman, Yuvraj, Kaif and Raina establish the hierarchy.

 

[adharcric]

Given that Tendulkar is fit to return for the four tests, these would be the certain selections.

Opening Batsmen: V Sehwag, W Jaffer
Middle-Order Batsmen: R Dravid, S Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Y Singh, M Kaif
Wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni
Seamers: I Pathan, S Sreesanth, M Patel, RP Singh
Spinners: A Kumble, H Singh

I'm assuming we'll take a 15-man squad for the tests as well. Would you opt for an extra opener (G Gambhir), extra middle-order bat (S Raina), extra keeper (D Karthik), extra seamer (VRV Singh) or extra spinner (R Powar)?

Having 6 middle-order bats is ridiculous, so rule out Raina. 3 spinners seems like a subcontinental thing to do, so rule out Powar. VRV Singh probably won't be needed and has an A tour starting a few days after the 4th test, so rule him out. I'd probably go with Gambhir then as he is also a good close-in fielder in case that **** happens again. Maybe we can send Karthik as the 16th member.

 

[shaka]

why is there an even number of tests for this series? do they want a tie?

 

[Magrat Garlick]

why is there an even number of tests for this series? do they want a tie?

One game at Antigua, so I suppose that's exactly what they don't want.

 

[Steulen]

One game at Antigua, so I suppose that's exactly what they don't want.

Yeah, what's the point of playing there. Does Lara want to score 502*?

 

[adharcric]

why is there an even number of tests for this series? do they want a tie?

Well the BCCI said they agreed to a fourth test because the WICB wanted it to raise funds.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Yeah, what's the point of playing there. Does Lara want to score 502*?

Crowds and tradition, I suppose.

Don't believe he'll get it if Kumble's playing, tho.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yeah, what's the point of playing there. Does Lara want to score 502*?

You haven't seen the pitch thus far this year, eh?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Crowds and tradition, I suppose.

Don't believe he'll get it if Kumble's playing, tho.

I'd wager Kumble doesn't dismiss Lara in either innings at the ARG.

 

[roseboy64]

You haven't seen the pitch thus far this year, eh?

Maybe it was underprepared with all the furore before the match. Certainly strange looking pitch for the ARG.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Maybe it was underprepared with all the furore before the match. Certainly strange looking pitch for the ARG.

It would make a hell of a different sort of Test match pitch. Certainly not one for the strokemakers such as Lara, Gayle, Tendulkar and Sehwag.