England in West Indies, 2019
Discussion
England have named an unchanged 16-man squad for the three-Test series in the West Indies starting next month.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46511766
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46511766
Apparently this test series (and the 2 warm up games already completed) are to use a new version of the Dukes ball.
The ball has been developed specifically for the hard, abrasive surfaces of the Caribbean and that it stays hard and continues to swing long into the innings.
Some West Indian players and coaching staff think that this gives too much of an advantage to England but the West Indian cricket board feel that the change will result in more entertaining cricket than the attritional matches that have become the norm.
The balls were used in the 5 WI test matches in 2018 against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. WI won 3, drew 1, lost 1. Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel took 28 wickets each at an average of 12.00 and 15.64 respectively.
The pitches have been prepared for pace.
Could be spicy!
The ball has been developed specifically for the hard, abrasive surfaces of the Caribbean and that it stays hard and continues to swing long into the innings.
Some West Indian players and coaching staff think that this gives too much of an advantage to England but the West Indian cricket board feel that the change will result in more entertaining cricket than the attritional matches that have become the norm.
The balls were used in the 5 WI test matches in 2018 against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. WI won 3, drew 1, lost 1. Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel took 28 wickets each at an average of 12.00 and 15.64 respectively.
The pitches have been prepared for pace.
Could be spicy!
Barbados had a reputation as a very flat track (WI scored over 700 in reply to England's 600-odd in 2009), but has seen a few very low scores in the last couple of years (Pakistan 81, WI 93) - I don't know if these were with the different Dukes ball?
Hoping for a good test match - I'm flying out to Barbdos on Tuesday in time for day 1 on Wednesday.
Hoping for a good test match - I'm flying out to Barbdos on Tuesday in time for day 1 on Wednesday.
Windies making a half decent start here.
Englands bowling looking somewhat unthreatening.
Looks like the batsmen have decided to defend Anderson and get runs elsewhere, a good plan, working well at the minute.
Good old fashioned Test cricket, 3 an over.
Poor shot from Hope there, he needed to go large.
Englands bowling looking somewhat unthreatening.
Looks like the batsmen have decided to defend Anderson and get runs elsewhere, a good plan, working well at the minute.
Good old fashioned Test cricket, 3 an over.
Poor shot from Hope there, he needed to go large.
So lets just have a ponder of Root and the selectors decision to drop Broad and play two spinners.
Jimmy is not a young man - he bowled 24 overs yesterday, thats being worked like a dog. His figures are beyond reproach at 24 overs, 12 maidens, 33 runs conceded and 4 wickets
Stokes is next up, he bowled 19 overs - some hard yakka, but he is younger - he took 3 wickets and went for 47 runs
Wunderkid Sam Curran had an off day 12 overs only but 54 runs conceded - spanked out of the attack in favour of the others
However - we played two spinners, and admittedly this is day one however
Ali and Rashid bowled 12 and 17 overs - Ali went for 59 and Rash for 56 - so they offered no control, couldn't slow the runs and only took one wicket.
Quicks 7 - Spin 1
Root needs to protect Anderdson, he is a strike bowler (in this line up) 24 is too many, Broad is the perfect new ball foil for Jimmy, which is why they have 1000 wickets as a pair.
It is an odd selection decision, but in my view poor captaincy to keep going to Jimmy A every time a useless spinner gets spanked to the fence line.
There's a rumour floating around that the sleeping conditions (and in particular, bed bugs) may have caused some issues for Broad. Bites in certain areas meaning pounding in for 20 overs may be a little uncomfortable.
Not sure how true that is.
Ultimately, we have picked 2 spinners and the home team haven't picked any.
Not sure how true that is.
Ultimately, we have picked 2 spinners and the home team haven't picked any.
Michelle for Jimmy A 'The Worlds Best Bowler'
Interesting the Jimmys opening bowler partner for day two of the first test is Ben Stokes - the bitsa allrounder.
So what does that make Curran ?
Poor decision to omit Broad, looks increasingly stupid when you see what it really means. Hope Jimmy is up to the workload.
On the other hand, if the batsman get tucked in now then Jimmy can have two days off !
Interesting the Jimmys opening bowler partner for day two of the first test is Ben Stokes - the bitsa allrounder.
So what does that make Curran ?
Poor decision to omit Broad, looks increasingly stupid when you see what it really means. Hope Jimmy is up to the workload.
On the other hand, if the batsman get tucked in now then Jimmy can have two days off !
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