tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691219939930045300.post3946209293329400624..comments2023-11-02T18:51:25.885+11:00Comments on Down the wicket: ...but first, the newsCris Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04966824752959729517noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691219939930045300.post-91516754870068490712009-11-16T10:51:33.581+11:002009-11-16T10:51:33.581+11:00Very comprehensive, Stoph!
Shrawan, pardon my ign...Very comprehensive, Stoph!<br /><br />Shrawan, pardon my ignorance but what is the ‘blend’ of West Indies cricketers? Is it fairly even from across the islands or is it a predominance of one or two islands? Fair call on the bowling stocks but WI has had trouble with building totals at times as well. This goes back a while as Lara was almost a sole campaigner at times and this certainly damaged him in both captaincy and his batting; poor bloke. On the flip side when Aus toured there last WI were quite competitive, albeit at home, so I’m hopeful of a good series here this summer. Dismantling England for bugger all speaks wonders of what WI are capable of too.<br /><br />Re players resting. I don’t think there is an easy answer to this. Aus will always play as many tests as any other country so balancing coloured-clothing cricket demands is paramount now. I agree that Ponting may as well just drop out altogether but this will not happen. As he is a batsman the demands are different; it will be his mind that struggles with captaincy demands more so than his body. The 50 over format can be a breeding ground for young players (why wasn’t Hughes in India!?!) – exposing them to different nations in different conditions. Let a few older heads lead the team and get the youngsters battle it out. Aus can ill-afford Johnson or Siddle to play in every bloody limited over game! The issue to me is not so much how much is played – it’s the training around the competition. Just because you only bowl 10 overs doesn’t mean you’re limited to that amount of bowling on a tour. <br /><br />Qld played SA in the Alice, Stoph! I note Roy made 4 and got out. Apparently he bowled well but what is most interesting is how Simpson (Qld captain) went out of his way to praise Roy for all the things he brings to the Bulls. I reckon Qld are trying to bring Roy back into the fold.<br /><br />I am a huge fan of Watson and admire his commitment despite more setbacks than most players have experienced. But, he is not an opener in test cricket. I don’t even think he would be best used there anyway – even if he was (what allrounders open the batting in 5 day cricket?). Imagine North coming in at 5 (goodbye Hussey) and then Waston at 6, Haddin at 7 and Johnson at 8. Marsh really needs runs for WA as last season was not too flash for him and injury has curtailed his progression.leftriteoutnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691219939930045300.post-8615907038067147832009-11-14T13:56:19.841+11:002009-11-14T13:56:19.841+11:00@stoph - you're welcome.
I think West Indies ...@stoph - you're welcome.<br /><br />I think West Indies cricket is very much alive, the way Trinidad and Tobago performed in the CLT20 showed how much potential there is if you look past Sarwan, Gayle, Chanderpaul and others. <br /><br />West Indies cricket suffered the loss of Walsh and Ambrose at the same time at the end of the last decade and that's when the jolt occured. <br /><br />They were two front line bowlers who were responsible for many a windies victory. Since then, there hasn't been one consistent WI fast bowler. I think it is only a matter of time before we see T&T players filtering into the squad.Shrawan Rajahttp://shrawanraja.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691219939930045300.post-10148031468148046092009-11-14T13:24:10.549+11:002009-11-14T13:24:10.549+11:00so where should Marsh bat at Nospmas?
thanks for ...so where should Marsh bat at Nospmas?<br /><br />thanks for coming on Shrawan; it is great to get opinions from around the world.<br /><br />for the sake of stability i agree with you that Viv could have waited until after the series, but with the ongoing turmoil and cricket being an all year round venture, i can understand Vivs frustration and desire to do something about Gayle who is- let's face it- hardly committed to improving the WI situation.<br /><br />do you agree with the first comment from Nospmas about WI cricket being dead?Cris Cochranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04966824752959729517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691219939930045300.post-75318292251340382782009-11-13T22:39:47.520+11:002009-11-13T22:39:47.520+11:00Viv should not have spoken about Ganga when Gayle ...Viv should not have spoken about Ganga when Gayle is the captain. Being a west indian, Viv should have reserved his comments for a post-series review.Shrawan Rajahttp://shrawanraja.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6691219939930045300.post-86737540852943185552009-11-13T12:37:58.694+11:002009-11-13T12:37:58.694+11:00I would much rather the players get rested for one...I would much rather the players get rested for one and get back than injuring themselves and falling off the radar. It happens so often. <br />Ponting should bat at 4 in the pyjama party but he is number 3 every time in the real stuff. I would go so far as to drop him from the coloured clothing all together. He is not in the top 5 one day batsmen in the country anymore and it's not as if he is a great leader. Give the one day leadership to Mr Cricket, thank him for his test service and give him a bunch of young guys to build for the World Cup. <br />West Indies cricket is dead and buried, they just don't know it yet.Nospmasnoreply@blogger.com