Who would win a test series between England and West Indies if play started tomorrow?

[Fiery]

I did indeed say that, actually. I thought, given his poor performances in ODIs to date at the time of the argument, that he should bat 7, allowing another batsman to be selected. That was before Astle retired though, mind you, so there were additional bowling options. I also gave a "When Styris is fit" condition.

Thanks for saving me the job of explaining this to Clapo, Prince. I'm just glad Jake has come to the party and helped my argument.

 

[Fiery]

The Age:
"England's poor body language and shoddy fielding confirmed the comments of a relative newcomer to the team who said this week that he had never played in a more shambolic side"

 

[GIMH]

One bad series? What about against Sri Lanka, who are worse off than India in Tests.

Also, England beat an Akhtar less Pakistan side and for the majority an Asif less test side at home 2-0, and you feel that's a big achievment? Ridiculous.

It was 3-0, rightly or wrongly. and yes, Pak had no Akhtar and no Asif. We had no Simon Jones, no Michael Vaughan, oh, and no Andrew Flintoff. Just about evens things up for me.

I'd still fancy us against anyone at home (even Aus, though they'd probably win it'd be a lot closer than 5-0) and most teams away. To say that we're suddenly a very poor Test team is a dire argument.

 

[Stumped]

well if they were playing their best england...but the title does say if they started tomorrow and judging on the absolutly disgraceful form they r in at the moment west indies get my vote...(and i no i am going to cop critisim for doing so)

 

[GIMH]

well if they were playing their best england...but the title does say if they started tomorrow and judging on the absolutly disgraceful form they r in at the moment west indies get my vote...(and i no i am going to cop critisim for doing so)

Drop the txtspeak, it's dire

You can vote for who you want, but mixing ODI form with Test form is a mistake really, and it's been recurring throughout this thread. Going by the logic shown throughout, we should have mauled India in the ODI series last year, because our morale after Mumbai was so so so high. Nonetheless, we got beat 5-1, because we're crap at One-day cricket. Our Test form obviously isn't good atm, because we've lose our last five, but really, in the last few years we've beaten Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, and drawn with India in India. Not many sides can make such claims, certainly not the West indies and as such I would back us big time.

 

[Poker Boy]

I'd still say England - especially with home advantage and the fact that the Windies are an improving ODI side rather than a Test side (lost to NZ, India and Pakistan last year) I reckon it would be closer than 2004 though - 2-0?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I'd still say England - especially with home advantage and the fact that the Windies are an improving ODI side rather than a Test side (lost to NZ, India and Pakistan last year) I reckon it would be closer than 2004 though - 2-0?

The West Indies may have lost 3 Test series last year, but they competed better than they have in years, especially overseas. I'd certainly say there were improvements in Test cricket too.

 

[UncleTheOne]

I worked for a bank in the Square Mile in London for 3 years as a Chelsea supporter surrounded by West Ham fans and still have English mates who remind me constantly about the rugby world cup. It's payback!

Yes how outrageous of English fans to rub it in a little after failing to beat the Aussies at anything for 20 odd years.

 

[DCC_legend]

id say west indies!

 

[steds]

I worked for a bank in the Square Mile in London for 3 years as a Chelsea supporter surrounded by West Ham fans and still have English mates who remind me constantly about the rugby world cup.

The latter is probably karma for being a Chelsea fan.

 

[roseboy64]

Only 3 of the last 10 West Indies Tests have failed to reach the 5th day. 2 of them were lost and 1 saw day four and five rained out. I'm pretty confident in the West Indies' ability to take the game to the 5th day of late.

With you there liam. The WI played some good Test cricket last year, just can't finish the game. Pretty confident if the West Indies can find a way to not lose the crucial parts in a Test they can start winning Tests and then maybe in a year or two series.

Gayle
Ganga
Sarwan (c)
Chanderpaul then Morton
Samuels
Bravo
Ramdin
Mohammed
Taylor
Lawson/Powell/Collymore
Edwards

Pretty sure that team can give a good account of itself come a few years.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Any up and coming batsmen or bowlers in WI cricket that could gain a place to tour England.Lendl Simmons perhaps?.

 

[roseboy64]

Keiron Pollard has been setting it alight recently. Jermaine Lawson might be due a recall too. That's it off the top of my head.

 

[roseboy64]

The latter is probably karma for being a Chelsea fan.

True. Disastrous choice of team to support.

 

[roseboy64]

BTW I'm picking England to win. One bad Ashes series and a usual terrible ODI showing is no basis for saying the West Indies would win.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Isn't there a 16 year old smashing it to all parts in Caribbean cricket.I may be wrong however

 

[Fiery]

True. Disastrous choice of team to support.

I lived near Stamford Bridge pre Abramovich days

 

[roseboy64]

I lived near Stamford Bridge pre Abramovich days

Not calling into question your glory hunting but I guess that's a reasonable reason. Anyway, still a dire choice.

 

[roseboy64]

Isn't there a 16 year old smashing it to all parts in Caribbean cricket.I may be wrong however

You're probably referring to Adrian Barath or the aforementioned Pollard.

 

[Fiery]

Not calling into question your glory hunting but I guess that's a reasonable reason. Anyway, still a dire choice.

It was either that or Fulham who were dire back then