West Indies Discussion

[shivfan]

They've named their final 15 and Best isn't in it:

Darren Sammy (capt), Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wk), Andre Rusell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Adrian Barath.

Would've picked Samuels over Devon Smith but other than that I think they did a fair job of it.

Russell makes it....

I hope Gibson has worked on his landing foot, which tended to twist a bit too Flintoffish for my liking.

 

[garage flower]

Not seen a huge amount of ODI cricket in the last year or so, so take this with a dollop of salt, but I’d tend to agree with Howe_zat.

I think it’s Smith or Barath for the last batting spot; Bravo or Pollard for batting(ish) all-rounder; one of the two spinners (both uninspiring options – could they have taken a shot with Bishoo?); and two from three of the specialist seamers (+ Sammy).

Much as I like Sammy, I think his automatic spot as captain does cause problems. He’d be in my squad, but not always my first XI, and he does block a potential spot for an – arguably – more penetrative specialist seamer or more dynamic all-rounder.

Of course, having too many all-rounders would be anything but a problem if they were all genuinely world class and contributing consistently with bat and ball, but unfortunately that’s not the case.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Not saying all the allrounder should play. I'm saying they more than likely will play.

What Sammy brings to the side is spirit and wholehearted dedication. Unfortunately, he's not up to much else.

 

[roseboy64]

Absolute travesty Sammy gets a guaranteed spot but those are the breaks.

 

[shivfan]

In the first ODI against SL, Big Bravo and Benn were omitted....

Pollard played, but failed to make much of an impression. Unfortunately, rain prevented Miller from getting a chance to bowl.

 

[Howe_zat]

Cricinfo interviewed Chanderpaul about West Indies' chances. They've said he's "bullish" about it, he comes over more as determined to me. Which I quite like.

 

[fishyguy]

In this WC is Sammy dosent perform I hope he is dropped and the captaincy is handed to Sarwan, granted Sarwan play well. Sammy is half an allrounder, cant really bat and bowls about 120 km/hr. Windies did a good thing dropping Ramdin something they shouldve done years ago. I've always liked Baugh better.

Also Ravi Rampaul shouldnt be anywhere near the national squad, he has no control and he has never shown any real potential to be a Windies opening bowler. On the other hand Andre Russell has been impressive with his pace and the fact that he is only 22 augers well for the Windies.

Additionally I want Gayle opening with Pollard. POllard has strugled because he has not been utilised properly in ODI's. Windies management should give him full authority to go out there and play his natural game with no fear and no pressure.Considering these guys prefer 20/20 cricket, it would be a good idea for them to take all the powerplays in the first 20 overs if both are still around. Its the sort of ploy that worked very successfully for Sri Lanka in the 96 WC.


My line up that I have repeated several times but never get tired off would be this:

Gayle
Pollard
Barath
Darren
Sarwan
Chanders (Braithwaite when he retires)
Bravo
Baugh
Benn
Roach
Russell

 

[Burgey]

Have a feeling, and I do not know why, that the WI are going to go pretty well in this WC.

 

[benchmark00]

Have a feeling, and I do not know why, that the WI are going to go pretty well in this WC.

Can you feel it in your gammy knee, old man?

 

[Julian87]

My line up that I have repeated several times but never get tired off would be this:

Gayle
Pollard
Barath
Darren
Sarwan
Chanders (Braithwaite when he retires)
Bravo
Baugh
Benn
Roach
Russell

I'd pick that team but with Sammy for Russell as it's an absolute given that the captain will be in the XI. I'd not open with Pollard either. Reckon they need to do this (stack the batting) and almost hope the bowling holds up.

 

[shivfan]

Yeah, aside from ROach and Benn, and Russell on a good day, the bowling doesn't really look like it can blast a side out, so they might as well stack the batting, and have Gayle and Sammy bowl quite a few overs between them. As for Sammy being dropped, it's just not going to happen, IMHO. Only injury is going to rule him out of the reckoning. I would even go as far as to say that Sammy is likely to be captain for the home Test series against Pakistan, after which Sarwan and Nash will probably be the candidates likely to press their claims for the leadership against India....

I like Gayle opening in ODIs, but not Pollard, who just hasn't done enough in this format of the game to warrant such confidence. As things stand, it's questionable as to whether he will even be in the XI for the first match. If he does come in, it will be as a finisher who can bowl a few overs of dibbly-dobblers....

Personally, I hope Shiv retires from ODIs after this series.

 

[marc71178]

Would Nash seriously come into consideration for captaincy given his age and not being good enough for the ODI/T20 sides? (although it's arguable if Sammy meets that criteria)

 

[shivfan]

Would Nash seriously come into consideration for captaincy given his age and not being good enough for the ODI/T20 sides? (although it's arguable if Sammy meets that criteria)

That's a valid point....

The thing is, Nash was VC on the Test tour of Sri Lanka, so he must be an option, IMHO. I think the next captain will be a case of 'who else?', because so many candidates have ruled themselves out. If the West Indies do badly in this World Cup, Sammy may be made into the scapegoat, because of his poor personal performances.

 

[shivfan]

Baugh and Barath are out with hamstring injuries....

I suppose their replacements will probably be Kirk Edwards and Devon Thomas.

http://www.rjrnewsonline.com/sports/cricket/baugh-barath-injured

 

[roseboy64]

Matches - 9 (including practice matches against Canada and Ireland)
Runs - 38
Not Out - 1
Batting Average - 6.33
Wickets - 4
Bowling Average - 86.00
Name this player

 

[Beamer]

It's either Sammy or Pollard. Both are easily droppable but one can be dropped and the other is singlehandedly unbalancing our team.

Bravo out for four weeks (so basically the World Cup). Replacement to be named shortly. Could the start of this World Cup campaign be any worse?

 

[GotSpin]

So many injuries. Not sure how the WIndies can expect to recover from them

 

[shivfan]

So many injuries. Not sure how the WIndies can expect to recover from them

Yeah, I've practically packed my bags as far as this World Cup is concerned....

The thing is, we don't need another allrounder to replace Big Bravo, because Sammy is already there, even though he's nowhere near as effective. I don't think it makes sense to send Bernard, because he's practically the same as Sammy, IMHO.

I think it makes sense to summon a pacer who can actually take wickets with his pace, like Best, for example.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'd think about sending over Samuels. Although in reality if he was going to be considered he'd have probably been picked ahead of Devon Smith originally or at least sent over when Kirk Edwards was.

Taylor's back playing and taking wickets; I wonder what his fitness is like.

Sending over someone like Best or Bernard is not a good idea IMO. Take this opportunity to get someone who should've been there originally out there.

 

[TT Boy]

I'd think about sending over Samuels. Although in reality if he was going to be considered he'd have probably been picked ahead of Devon Smith originally or at least sent over when Kirk Edwards was.

Taylor's back playing and taking wickets; I wonder what his fitness is like.

Sending over someone like Best or Bernard is not a good idea IMO. Take this opportunity to get someone who should've been there originally out there.

Missing from Jamaica's ongoing 4 day game...