Critiquing a collapse

Now that's what I'm talking about! It seems that Aus has a knack of being involved in series where the scoreline is a poor reflection of the test cricket played. With so many centurions and wicket takers in England, if someone looked at the statistics alone they would likely declare a different result had they not known better. Similarly here a huge first innings in Perth made a West Indies win unlikely but they got within 30 runs of chasing a 350 total down. Unfortunately I hardly saw a ball from days 2,3 or 4. Thank god for radios, phones and general chatter.

What have we learned about Australia? Well, Johnson has not recovered from a slump but is more consistent than in England. A good sign, yes, but Aus needs a spearhead and Bollinger has shown more courage and capacity for this role than Jonno. Well done Bolly, it would be a shame if he were dropped for Siddle as he has done everything necessary to retain his place. If anyone suggests that two left-armers is a bad idea I think they need serious help.

Hauritz was not as effective as hoped but I can't say how well he bowled - help required here. From what I saw he was throwing it up but put alongside Suli he was definitely the worse of the two main spinners for the two sides. Watson keeps getting some runs at the top but I maintain that he is a number 6. He best serves the team in this position, period. Marsh, Klinger and Hughes are getting in the runs so there are top order options. Show some courage, selectors, and give a bloke a chance. A three test series is a hedging of bets as if one touring team isn't competitive then there's another on the way. As it happens 5 tests against WI would have been superb but who would have thought that before or immediately after Brisbane? Pakistan are belting Tassie as we speak and there are great signs for their batting and bowling. Fingers crossed for another wonderful series this summer.

While it can't be said that Aus' batting revolves around Ponting we've seen that Clarke and North are perhaps not as reliable as we would have hoped. Hussey has answered critics to some extent but still looks dodgy outside his off stump. A couple of Clarke's dismissals are reminicent of yesteryear's poor decision making - the hit to Gayle at short mid on perfect case in point. Of course Katich and Watson did very well which is pleasing but allows selectors to delay the inevitable; Aus needs a specialist opener. I didn't see one delivery from McKay but reports are that he had little impact.

To the West Indies. Well, what can you say? Amazing effort which deserved a test win in my opinion. Barath, Gayle, Dowlin, Nash, Bravo, Roach - the list goes on. Missing their two main strike bowlers for most of the series and carrying arguably two of their best bats or missing them altogether as well.....
Not only can WI hold their heads high they can enter their next series (6 bloody months away!) expecting to win. Hopefully Aus develops some humility from this series but Watson should be fined his whole series' fee for his send-off of Gayle. You idiot, Watson. Haddin should have kept his mouth shut with Suli but to be fair Suli is a bit of a douche. The one-dayers look like they'll be a great contest for a format in trouble.

Looking forward and if the series against Pakistan is as enthralling as their 'home' series against New Zealand test, this summer will be a great advertisement of test cricket. One weakness of Pakistan's batting has been Salman Butt for mine but he's made a good ton against the Isle which helps support brilliant players like the Akmals and Farhat. Gul, Asif and Aamer are genuine bowlers too so I'm expecting a series not unlike the Adelaide and Perth tests. Pakistan are notoriously inconsistent; but didn't we say that about another team recently?

it is what you make of it that counts

with such a disappointing outcome, i still feel the need to look at some of the details.

the Windies ARE going to be going home with no great joy from results... but they should be taking some from outcomes.
they did win sessions -some with the bat, some with the ball.
as mentioned, when you are missing a world class batsman and your strike bowler, things will always be an uphill push.

if Benn could keep the skills he has, but add some actual turn i could see him making a big contribution to further success.
Bravo is just cricketing gold, and has a great attitude to go with his impressive skills (disregarding his duck!) and dedication to the job.

Ramdins gloves are great and he is good for runs too.

while the loss is a shocker, i look forward to their potential with a full squad and a little more self belief. It is just a case of filling all the boxes... and while the result says otherwise, i hope they can fulfil what i see as their potential.

Barath... well, there is your future foundation for big innings.

Isn't a Gayle just a lot of wind?

Thanks Leftriteout for pointing out WI captain Chris Gayles comments on test cricket.

Quite clearly, Gayle did not have his 'game face' on when he stepped off the plane for the English series. Given that the fixture was relatively late in be finalised, it would seem the top Windie doesn't have the fast paced mind his love of short form cricket would imply! Or is his mind so fast paced that he can't comprehend the intricacies of the 5 day game? The results of that series leads me to believe the later.

Or, is he so money focused that he can't see a value to cricket (Test). It has always been a bit of an issue in the West Indies moral (when not winning) that there is no "Nation" to play for, only a region. But I'm sure there would be plenty of young players that would give an unprotected left nut to play at an international level... any form of the game.

Whether Gayle's remarks were just a knee jerk reaction to the rushed nature of the tour, a long flight and the cold weather of Blighty juxtaposed against the tropical Caribbean, it doesn't behove a team captain to denigrate the great game. If Gayle is not inclined to play 5 days for a pay check, I'm sure he can make a years income in the IPL- or is he just too greedy. And that is where I'd prefer him with this attitude!

stoph verismo
down the wicket