Some thoughts about the Test matches coming up!!

[AFRO]

It's gonna be crunch time really, feck the ODIs, that's probably done already, but the Test matches takes on huge significance, Pak have NEVER won a Test series in our backyard and WE MUST defend that record, now despite the embarrassment we've witnessed over the last two ODIs one thing you can be sure about is we are infinitely better in the longer version of the game than we are in the limited overs format, it was evident in Sri-lanka and that's what gives me hope,

Now to some observations

From what i can see Pakistan only have one proven pacer in their ranks, which of course is Umar Gul, the other two who i'd expect to see in their line-up are Riaz and Tanvir, Riaz as we've seen in the last two games is totally out of form and is an average pacer, Tanvir is a 30 year old who has only played two series thus and though he can be dangerous at times he's no Dale Steyn,

As for their spinners, well the main man seems to be Rehman, who's a 31 year old left-arm spinner, he'd probably be supported by Hafeez who's wicket taking record at Test level isn't anything special, either way they WON'T come at us with pure spin like they have in the ODIs, and even if they did that didn't help SL did it? and they have much better spinners,

They will also be using a new wicketkeeper who will be making his debut at Test level and doesn't even average 30 with the bat at FC level, and Unis Khan hasn't travelled either who is probably their best middle order batsman, lord the more i think about it the more confident i am about the Tests!! , the question is what eleven will the selectors pick for us?

Right now i'd honestly pick Kraigg Brathwaite, that yute knows how to stay at the wicket and is in brillaint form, one wonders about who should partner Roach too? and do we use two spinners maybe?

Brathwaite
Simmons
Darren
Samuels/Sarwan
Nash
Bonner
Baugh (wk)
Sammy (c)
Roach
Pascal/Edwards
Bishoo

The inclusion of Sammy obviously makes things difficult so what i've done here is added Bonner, some might say wtf? but let me explain, Bonner is a very good batter, he got himself three 50s in the last four day competition, one of his best knocks was a lovely 72 against ENGLAND LIONS, in the end he ended up with 431 runs and 15 wickets, which made him the best allrounder in the competition imo, he's also a leggy which is key because we've all seen how Pakistan have struggled against Bishoo in these last three games, and to add icing to the cake Bonner has already faced them in the warm up game and done very well indeed, he cracked 43 runs and removed two of the top order ,

Lastly i don't know who i'd chose out of Edwards and Pascal, a fit Edwards would be my pick of course but can we take a risk when he's just come back from a long injury lay off? i don't know, i do like what Pascal has been doing lately though, he's quick and bowls quite similar to Edwards to be honest so it would be interesting to see how he gets on alongside Roach, Simmons could also bowl some medium pace too when the quicks need a rest.

[mapoui]

let me take my life into my hands and comment on this post!

the pak side is weaker than expected and dat gives us the chance to blood Braithwaite now. so dat is a pick I agree with.

Simmos however wont make it and in saying so I am trying to stik with my impression of Huntes wicb..how hta admin operates. deh will pick smith. and if barath was available deh wud pik him and smight no braithwaite.

deh wont pick Sarwan unless deh are forced too and sammy will be in the side as captain. the westindies team for the tests will look like the admin at FR. it will be chuck full of Hunte/Hilaire behavioural clones. and fot that reason it will lose and lose and lose.

the best players available for the bowling are Edwards who impressed me with the quality of his return. I have the distick impression that we have a bit of gold in that player we shud mine now that will pan out well for the next few years.

I fell the same way about Benn and about Taylor if not quite to the extent I feel abut Benn and Edwards.

the best bowling attack westindies can pt on the field at this time all tings being equal is Edwards, Roach, Taylor, Vishoo, Benn. this is the best combination of youth and experienc we have at this time and should be able to hold its own against any batting line-up.

for the batting it seems to me even more crucial that we maintain some experience with some youth as with the bowling. so I am looking to the seniours to be included.

if Braithwaite and Simmons are the best available openers we immediately hav a shortage of expeienc up top. and if smith is in there we have an incompetent against international spin bowling.

[mapoui]

so we must look to quality experience to shore up the batting. in that regard Marlon Samuels would not be among my first choices.

we must assume that Darren Bravo is automatic and he is one for the future. so wud be braithwaite. nash also is automatic! that leaves shive and Sarwan

Simmons can bat but has a head problem. he does not have the attitude of a real bastman who sees making runs by the ton..lots, lots and lots of runs... as the way he makes his living.

simmons does not see that anytime he is out there he is there for the duration, however long that might be and so gird himself to bat forever.

Simmons often makes a start then gives it up easily. thats not good enuff. and he is already past 25. his prognosis is not encouraging.

given all that I see that it is crucial for Shive to be in the sive. his last innings gave indication he is back in form and he is a player we must be sure is spent before he is put out to pasture

so the best batting westindies can chose from would be Gayle, Shive,Sarwan, Braithwaite, lil Bravo, Nash...samuels, smith, kirk edwards..etc etc.

I wud choose Simmons and send him out with clear insructions as to how to bat his innings. he is not to throw his wicket away. he mus' score as he can but always remind himself to do so according to the conditions, the state of the game. his wicket must be earnd by the opposition

[AFRO]

Brathwaite might not be "experienced" at Test level but he sure bats like he's been batting for 20 years!!, he also cracked 130 against Pakistan-A the other day, he reminds me of a young Shiv, plus with Samuels and Nash in the middle order we'd have enough experience to cope imo, i'd love to have Barath back but there's not been any word about his fitness since he came back from the world cup injured, so he's looking doubtful for the Tests i'd say.

Benn is in the same situation as Sarwan is and Taylor would prefer to play in the IPL than represent his country so those two won't be in the picture, that's why i went with Bonner because he's a leggy who can bat very well, therefore we'd have a balanced bowling unit and someone who can enhance our batting order with Dwayne Bravo missing.

As for Simmons, he seemed to have got his head straight in the four day competition and made a couple of tons, and in these recent games for WI he's been the best batter by far, so i'd be prepard to give him a chance, especially if it's between him and Smith, i'd play Sarwan ahead of Samuels right now but he's not likely to be in the picture so there's no point including him.

[mapoui]

as gayle is not available then: simmons, braithwaite, Bravo,Shive, sarwan, Nash, Baugh, Bishoo Taylor, Edwards, Roach.

then Benn, samuels, smith I guess as available if necessary. when spin is expeted to be dominant Benn comes in at the expense of a pacer or a batsman.

this is what i consider to be the best westindies side that can be put together at the moment. and theses guys shud be allowed to desighnate thei own captain from among their ranks.

but that is not the side the wicb will select. they will select in all likelyhood:

smith, Braithwaite, Bravo, Samuels, Nash, Kirk Edwards, Baugh, Sammy, Bishoo, Roach, Pascal

this is a side Sammy can lead without too much threat. Braithwaite is young, wud be a debutant. perfect for them. so wud be Edwards, Kirk. Smith is their Tom as well.

the only man in the brew somewhat out of sync and associated with the past in a threatenin way is Samuels. we will see how long he lasts in the new mix

[mapoui]

As for Simmons, he seemed to have got his head straight in the four day competition and made a couple of tons

its how he got out when he crossed 50 last time. there was no need for any frustration that led to that shot.

he is the man to anchor the inings and at that time, crossing 50 he shud has taken stock and girded himself to cary on all the way through.

he shud have know that. he did not need anyone to to tell him that. that shot was not smart in the circumstances. i have seen him do that before. thats why he worries me

[mapoui]

[quoteBenn is in the same situation as Sarwan is and Taylor would prefer to play in the IPL than represent his country so those two won't be in the picture, that's why i went with Bonner because he's a leggy who can bat very well, therefore we'd have a balanced bowling unit and someone who can enhance our batting order with Dwayne Bravo missing.

][/quote]

Bonner is an excellent choice but he gives us 2 leggies. mmm! if we want variety or need variety then we shud mix and match.

Bonner fits Gibbos profile too. he wud be a debutant and 'non-threatening'

[AFRO]

Bonner is an excellent choice but he gives us 2 leggies. mmm! if we want variety or need variety then we shud mix and match.

Bonner fits Gibbos profile too. he wud be a debutant and 'non-threatening'

I thought about that yes, i considered Liam Sebastian who is an off-spin allrounder and also Ryan Hinds who bowl left-arm spin and can bat well too, but Sebastian is not reliable with the bat and Hinds looks over weight which would rule him out because of Gibbo's rules about "fitness", so that left Bonner who as i said was the best allrounder in the four day competition, plus having two leggys wouldn't hurt us so much because leg-spin bowling seems to be Pak's weakness, that's becoming more and more evident with each game Bishoo plays against them.

[mapoui]

I cant see Hinds nor Sebastian..though I admit Sebastian is sorta interesting..borderline interesting! he does enuff to raise eyebrows but only raise dem!

for me hinds is totally out of the picture. a factor tried and failed and a must to avoid!

quoteBenn is in the same situation as Sarwan is and Taylor would prefer to play in the IPL than represent his country so those two won't be in the picture, that's why i went with Bonner because he's a leggy who can bat very well, therefore we'd have a balanced bowling unit and someone who can enhance our batting order with Dwayne Bravo missing.

I will not hold this against Taylor or any player who chooses IPL or profitable alternatives to the wicb when and if they get offers. there is no positive relationhsip between the nation and its people....very obvious in cricket.

wen it comes to the players the wicb is exploitative, disrespectful, unconcerned with their well-being. its a war in which the wicb does not respect collective bargaining and player association activity.

I see no barrier to the selection of taylor if he becomes available