2nd Test: England v West Indies at Nottingham May 25-29, 2012

[TheParraboy]

Poms 1-0 up, after a relatively easy 1st test victory, though WI put up a nice 2nd innings fightback, they just lack another world class batsman to support Shiv, and a world class bowler or two to be in the mix of winning tests, particularly in the 2nd digs of games

This 2nd test starts Friday

 

[ANTiLAG]

Another Batter? Gayle looks like he is seeing the ball ok. He does have a couple test tripple tons. World class enough?

A bowler to get wickets in the second dig. How about Sunil Narine? Could very well be the best spinner in the world atm. Big turn, both directions. Destroying it in India and at home against Australia. But how would we know what he can do with a red ball when they continue to select Shane Sillingford ahead of him? The analogy to that would be for Australia to have continued with Tim May and not given Warnie a shot in 92/93.

But what I find absolutely ridiculous is the selection of Darren Sammy (c). In the words of the twelth man "woah woah woah - what is he good for?." He could be the worst cricketing captain of a major side since Mike Brearley. He hardly posseses the batting talent that S Waugh threatend to have before 1989. His bowling is just not of the quality of an international seamer. He could get a 10 for in the next match and it will not change my view. Every dog has its day. Pace is not everything but he is lumbering in at 115 km/h without signifcant movement. Ridiculous that they made the weakest player in the team in terms of talent the captain. Even New Zealand did not persist with G Larsen or R De Groen for tests in their dark days. What to do from here?

He has to be dropped for either a real batsman, a real bowler or a real all rounder. Even if he has the strategic thinking of Kasparov (which I doubt) - he is taking a spot from a real test cricketer.

 

[Hallatia]

Gayle could be back for this one. Bangalore aren't in the finals and he's sorted out his problems with the WICB

 

[Timbo]

Gayle also solves the problems with their spinner. Shillingford is apparently having real problems with the cold weather in England. Difficulty gripping the ball and imparting effort on it.

People who knock Sammy - OK, I can kind of see where you come from. But whilst he looks pedestrian, 67 wickets @ 31 in 25 tests is really nothing to sneeze at from a change bowler. Also, they have a bloody long tail without him at #8. He's also done an admirable job keeping them together, the first skipper they've had in a long time who's managed to foster that sort of unity.

I seem to recall a stat recently that showed after 20 tests, statistically he was better than Malcolm Marshall. I'm not saying he'll end up being better than Marshall, but he's genuinely not that bad is all I'm saying.

Oh, and Antilag; You forgot Lee Germon!

 

[TheParraboy]

Another Batter? Gayle looks like he is seeing the ball ok. He does have a couple test tripple tons. World class enough?

Dont you dare put Gayle on the same planet as Chanderpaul in test cricket

A bowler to get wickets in the second dig. How about Sunil Narine? Could very well be the best spinner in the world atm. Big turn, both directions. Destroying it in India and at home against Australia. But how would we know what he can do with a red ball when they continue to select Shane Sillingford ahead of him? The analogy to that would be for Australia to have continued with Tim May and not given Warnie a shot in 92/93.

Coulda woulda shoulda, what I can I tell you that I already havnt said. They need better bowlers in their starting XI

 

[ANTiLAG]

Haha. My mate Adam Parore would like your comment about Germon Timbo.

Sammy is far worse than his average suggests. Larsen averaged well lower and New Zealand dropped him. Any bowler can pick up wickets here and there, but when you need to bowl a side out for 200 on the last day, it is a different story. How can you even bring Marshall into compare Sammy. Marshall was angry, fast, aggressive and deadly like an asassin. Sammy is slow and friendly, like a wiggle.

Parra - I'm not putting Gayle in the same class as Chanderpaul. Chanderpaul is the best in the world atm and has always been class in his efforts to save or chase wins. But Gayle, he gets centuries. Big ones too. He can help set a decent first innings total. My point is, that they do have another high profile batsman and bowler ommitted. I WANT TO SEE NARINE WITH A RED BALL. You guys love averages - look at his! Does he need a single figure average before they select him !?!?

 

[TheParraboy]

Well definately Gayle should be in the side, would improve the batting, but for me they will still not be winning test matches As his bigger scores hide the fact he has a lot of little scores. On concrete decks 204 vs NZ, 317 vs SA, 197 V nz 333 v SL all drawn games, inflates his average, which is an ok 42 in test cricket

Should be in the side, but they need an additional world class batsman to be up there IMO. And yes bring that Narine fella into the side PLEASE !!!!

 

[TheParraboy]

WI won toss and will bat


England team
AJ Strauss*, AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, IR Bell, JM Bairstow, MJ Prior†, TT Bresnan, SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson


West Indies team
AB Barath, KOA Powell, KA Edwards, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, MN Samuels, D Ramdin†, DJG Sammy*, KAJ Roach, R Rampaul, S Shillingford

 

[Hallatia]

I'm not watching right now, because I'm live updating the Melbourne Brisbane game. But I just got a wicket alert.

 

[TheParraboy]

WI 4/84 lunch day 1

Chanderpaul yet again defiant

 

[Patorick]

WI 4/84 lunch day 1

Chanderpaul yet again defiant

Last Bat S Chanderpaul lbw b Swann 46 (86b 9x4 0x6) SR: 53.48

Fall of wicket: 125/5 (45.3 ov); Partnership: 62 runs, 27.1 overs, RR: 2.28 (Chanderpaul 34, Samuels 28)

 

[Timbo]

Samuels doing a great job here. Has dug in and fighting for his wicket.

 

[Hallatia]

Superb fight shown by Samuels and Sammy who finished the day with a record 168 run partnership, Samuels finished on 107 and Sammy on 88. WIndies 304/6 and they have put them selves in a decent position at the close of day 1

 

[Twizzle]

nice fight back by the Windies

 

[TheParraboy]

Hope they can get to 500

 

[hineyrulz]

Great day for the Windies,Samuels has really added some spine to their batting. Good to see Sammy score some runs, if the can get Gayle,Narine and Taylor fit and firing they will have the makings of a handy side.

 

[ANTiLAG]

Great fight back by the Windies - loved watching Anderson steaming. Still bowled well when angry. What a player he has become of late.

What a treat it will be to examine Narine if he is ever given the opportunity with a red ball!

 

[Hallatia]

Sammy made his first ever century, Samuels made a new PB, the partnership was a record 7th wicket stand in England and passed 200, but then they both got out in quick succession and now WIndies are 341/8 and there have only been about 12 over so far in day 2.

 

[Hallatia]

WIndies all out for 370. England should be relatively pleased with that *sigh*. It is something for the WIndies to defend though

 

[Hallatia]

Decent start for WIndies with the ball, Rampaul just got rid of Cook after twice having no balled during what appeared to be wickets. There have been quite a few no balls this innings, but the WIndian bowling and fielding has otherwise been really good and England are now 51/1 after 19 overs of batting.