West Indies v England

Rjd2

first test started today, nothing from new opener Trott, Cook and Ballance, however Bell and Root fighting back nicely.

Benn bowling non threatening ****e as he has for a long time now, really should have gone for Bishoo in the team with Holder at seven and Blackwood carrying drinks.

167/3

Tea, one session left.

West Indies after a good first session, have lost control, and will really need a few wickets tonight as the first innings score could get huge as the pitch looks harmless.

Dozen Wicked Words

Bell has played well, steadied the ship after rocky England start.

Rjd2

He has been good indeed.

Poor Benn wont get his century today.

Gillespy

West Indies have fought back well this morning but damage is done. England will take 400 in the first innings every time.

Rjd2

Yeah the West Indies are fighting, but England are still in a very strong position. Shiv can be a nuisance, but he needs partners to give him some support. England will feel comfortable if they bundle them out for 300 or so.

Rjd2

Fine performance by Tredwell, wasn't keen myself but for once English selectors got it right. Totally overshadowed the West Indies "spinner".

Blackwood rode his luck, but he has something about him.

England look like they have this game under control.

Gillespy

Trott's return to test cricket hasn't gone well.

Rjd2

Dravid hated opening and he was an immense batsman, its a really tough adjustment. I think they still hammer this lot, so he will get another chance or two, but at the moment, doubtful if Australia are to worried about he or Cook.

Gillespy

I haven't been able to watch too much, what have they been saying about Trott opening when he's not an opener? Needs must with Ali out but they could have done more to protect him on his return.

Rjd2

Gillespy wrote: »

I haven't been able to watch too much, what have they been saying about Trott opening when he's not an opener? Needs must with Ali out but they could have done more to protect him on his return.

They had Adam Lyth who opened for Yorkshire and was excellent last season for them in the squad, he could have opened. The issue with Trott is its number 3 or open really,the middle order is packed and they want to squeeze both in.

They should win this test and he will get another few chances so its a bit crazy to give up on him yet, but initial signs aren't promising.

It probably doesn't help Trott that he opens with a horribly out of form Cook either though.

Rjd2

England finished the day strongly enough. West Indies need to find a spinner because like in the first innings, any pressure the quicks built up by taking wickets evaporated once Benn and Samuels came on.

West Indies need Taylor to go through them in the morning, another 100 or so runs and England should be ok. To be fair, with seven wickets in the hutch, plenty of power to come only adding another 100 would be a huge dissapointment.

death1234567

England on course for a relatively easy win (despite Cook and Trott being woefully out of touch). The Windies are a poor side with a very poor bowling attack. If Benn is the best spinner they have then god help them. Even the quicks are poor. 2-0 series win for England.

Dozen Wicked Words

death1234567 wrote: »

2-0 series win for England.

Probably right, the powers that be will think everything in the garden is rosy again, except it isn't really, and they will be badly found out against pretty much any other Test team.

Gillespy

If Holder could find a few more mph he would be unplayable. The quicks have been decent I though. Spinners are releasing all the pressure.

Benn and Samuels are indistinguishable as to who's the out and out spinner. Where's Shillingford, is his action still suspect? he ripped through the Aussies a few years ago. Of course, it's Narine who should be playing here.

Rjd2

Gillespy wrote: »

If Holder could find a few more mph he would be unplayable. The quicks have been decent I though. Spinners are releasing all the pressure.

Benn and Samuels are indistinguishable as to who's the out and out spinner. Where's Shillingford, is his action still suspect? he ripped through the Aussies a few years ago. Of course, it's Narine who should be playing here.

Shillingford was poor last Summer against NZ,not half the bowler he was now he has to bowl legally.:D

Bishoo will hopefully come in the next test. He is a gamble as he throws in a lot of junk but can produce some quality. Fun to watch at least.

Holder has done superbly here, and yeah another few miles and he will be a beast. He is more than good enough to bat in the top seven across all formats.

Rjd2

" He only takes wickets against tailenders"


One of the criticisms aimed at Rashid over the years....
;)

Dozen Wicked Words

Thought the windies showed a bit of bottle holding out for the draw. Good to see them not just capitulate, cricket needs a competitive West Indies.

Rjd2

Holder is a very impressive young man.:)

https://instagram.com/p/1nZN1zyRBn/

Benn has been dropped for Shannon Gabriel, so I assume Bishoo comes in next test for him. Ali on his way for England as well.

Rjd2

So England bowling first in nice seaming conditions and Taylor injured, its a great chance for England to go up in this series.

Rjd2

4 down some very soft dismissals though.

Smith wasn't even out and he didn't refer it.:eek:

Also Shiv, its the beginning of the end, getting out very cheaply these days.

Rjd2

Pretty sure remember rating Gabriel when he arrived on the scene a few years ago, totally wasted the new ball and a serious step down from Taylor.

Bring back KING TINO. :P

Rjd2

Marlon is awesome.

Rjd2

Rjd2 wrote: »

Also Shiv, its the beginning of the end, getting out very cheaply these days.

Another failure today.:(

Truly horrible from the West Indies today to lose 8 wickets with so little fight.

So many poor shots and a farcical run out to top the farce off.

Its a much needed win for England though after a pretty brutal few months though.

Rjd2

Good old fashioned dig in century from Cook who to be fair has actually done much better in his last few tests than people think , 5 fifties in 8 innings isn't awful but as bad as his critics would lead you to believe.

Horrible to get out to Samuels "bowling" last over though.

Not a great position for England, need Buttler and the tail to bat well go get past 300.

They may regret not having Rashid here, turning and could be a spinners paradise in the fourth innings. However they will also be relived that on first inspection, Permaul simply does not have enough about him to exploit these conditions.

Also Trott probably has one innings to save his international career,no pressure. :eek:

Dozen Wicked Words

Playing Trott lower down the order would help him but not sure how much. Not enough looking at his current form, and another poor shot to get out again today.

Adam Lyth needs to open next series imho.

riffmongous

England 39-5 now! :O

Dozen Wicked Words

riffmongous wrote: »

England 39-5 now! :O

Nothing like an old school England collapse.

blackcard

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Nothing like an old school England collapse.

C'mon the Windies

Rjd2

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Playing Trott lower down the order would help him but not sure how much. Not enough looking at his current form, and another poor shot to get out again today.

Adam Lyth needs to open next series imho.

Don't think he would add much to the middle order really, a top order batsmen for so long now.

Lyth should open I think. The public will want Hales, but not convinced yet.

Dozen Wicked Words

England dire second innings so Windies set 192 to win.

Cricket fan

WI definite favourites IMO.

We need more tests like this!!

Rjd2

A Telegraph journo.

You'd wonder how long they will persist with Moores, apart from beating India last year in the tests, its been an absolute disaster.

The Trott and Ali as the only spinner gamble failed miserably.

Nick HoultVerified account
‏@NHoultCricket
Gillespie turned down South Australia job last night. His county chairman takes over at ECB next week...

Dozen Wicked Words

Hopefully this run of sh*te that England are on might encourage the higher ups to make decisive changes in management, coaching and playing staff. I doubt it'll happen though sadly. More tinkering around the edges. Can't see Gillespie taking the job, but would be pleased if he got a shot.

dfx-

How many more changes can England make behind the scenes...they must be running out of chairmen/administrators at this rate..

Cricket fan

Good to see Simmons having immediate success too.

Just shows without the IPL mercenaries the WI can still be a decent side

Dozen Wicked Words

dfx- wrote: »

...they must be running out of chairmen/administrators at this rate..

Well ones that come from the old boy network anyway!

Gyalist

This poster was on the WI dressing room wall for every day of the series and was all the motivation they needed.

Dozen Wicked Words

Gyalist wrote: »

This poster was on the WI dressing room wall for every day of the series and was all the motivation they needed.

He clearly hadn't watched much England cricket recently either, mediocre would be generous for how they've played. Shows the arrogance of some within the ECB.

Gillespy

West Indies will be kicking themselves for the way they lost in Grenada. Simmons deserves a lot of credit, after South Africa and the world cup, this has been a massive turnaround. The Australia series will put everything into perspective but they have the makings of a competitive team there, which is great to see.

One bad innings cost England the series win. Mistakes in selection also contributed. Trott is done I'm afraid. It was good he was given another opportunity and I guess he's young enough to make another comeback but for now, it's over. I would like to see them give Hales a go, he has scored big hundreds already this season and would be their Warner at the top. The rest of the batting is fine. Not long until the New Zealand series. No opener and no spinner. Interesting to see what team will takes the field in Cardiff for the first Ashes test match.

booth70

Australia can send their second string and still thrash this sorry mess of an England team out of sight this summer

Trott is surely gone.....if not the Aussies will finish him off ..... Cook ensures his presence for the Ashes with his first innings knock but can't see him or many in the current team lasting beyond this summer if they get thrashed

paulie21

Trott announced his retirement. Not surprising considering the shocker he had. He was one of the best test batsmen around 09/10

Dozen Wicked Words

paulie21 wrote: »

Trott announced his retirement. Not surprising considering the shocker he had. He was one of the best test batsmen around 09/10

He was a very good, steady player, part of a very good team. At least he came back and gave it a go, he won't retire not knowing whether he still has it or not.

He doesn't.

blackcard

It would be great if the Windies become competitive again

Rjd2

Gillespy wrote: »

West Indies will be kicking themselves for the way they lost in Grenada. Simmons deserves a lot of credit, after South Africa and the world cup, this has been a massive turnaround.

I would like to see them give Hales a go, he has scored big hundreds already this season and would be their Warner at the top. The rest of the batting is fine. Not long until the New Zealand series. No opener and no spinner. Interesting to see what team will takes the field in Cardiff for the first Ashes test match.

They need to give Lyth a chance now, he should have played this series and its tough one to debut against NZ,but better late than never I suppose. :P

I like Hales, but he has got all his runs for Notts at number 3 this year, I'd be shocked if he doesn't play a test however in the next 12 months, probably next in line if Lyth fails.

Spinner?

They need to back Ali, as the alternatives aren't great. A lot of fans mainly England ones spent years rightfully laughing at how quickly Australia discarded spinners in the persuit of the next Warne, the treatment of Lyon at times was disgraceful, England can't afford to do the same with Ali, their is no Swann, Warne, or even Giles waiting to be discovered in England.

Tredwell is average, Monty is finished and Kerrigan and Riley are kids.

The fact that Riley who plays for Kent is been considered highlights how limited the options are, a decent young spinner in division 2 who has done well, but not exactly ripped teams apart.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/309981.html

Rashid? If he didn't play this test, then I doubt if he ever will play a test.

Also they need to decide which of Plunkett or Stokes stays and get Plunkett back in the side.

Dozen Wicked Words

Andrew Strauss has been confirmed as director of the England team according to Mike Selvey of The Guardian.

paulie21

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Andrew Strauss has been confirmed as director of the England team according to Mike Selvey of The Guardian.

Michael Vaughan seemingly turned down the role because it was too limited

Rjd2

Moores gone, not handled well at all by the ECB but needed to be done. However he shouldn't have been rehired in the first place.

Gillespie and Langer are the favourites, they are hamstrung by the fact so many quality coaches are happy to make a fortune in t20 leagues for a few months work and its not exactly that tempting of a position after the last 18 months of farce.

Cricket fan

Put KP in charge

booth70

KP belts a triple century just as his best friend Andrew Strauss takes charge of English cricket :pac::pac::

Dozen Wicked Words

booth70 wrote: »

KP belts a triple century just as his best friend Andrew Strauss takes charge of English cricket :pac::pac::

Not many players scoring a ton, or even a triple ton in Division 2 would make headlines. Leicestershire aren't, putting it mildly, very good.

Northants beat them for fupp sake.

Rjd2

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

Not many players scoring a ton, or even a triple ton in Division 2 would make headlines. Leicestershire aren't, putting it mildly, very good.

Northants beat them for fupp sake.

Yeah Leics are poor, but they have a decent start to the season, seem to have something about them this season with Cosgrove, Mc Kay in the team and Mc Donald in charge.

To be fair second highest scorer was Kumar with 36, while England hopefuls Ansari and Roy both failed. Heck even Davies who has played for England a few years ago and is rated highly bombed as did Rory Burns who would probably have played for England by now if not for other reasons.

I expect Struss will tell him to **** off tomorrow, and whether you agree with that or not, its more awful pr for the ECB.

Oh and England fell to fifth in the test rankings today. Tough start for Strauss.