Next generation WI team - discuss

1. Kraigg "Paint" Brathwaite

We've been calling for Paint for almost a year, and he's finally here. Brathwaite needs to open, drop anchor and bat slowly in all test games. He needs to understand that it is his job to blunt the enemy bowlers, to get them tired, and to let his teammates bat around him. Facing the new ball is tough, lasting is tougher, and he will need to focus like hell. After he made his 100 yesterday, he got tired. When tired, he needs to learn to block out one to three overs, take a rest on the pitch, and then re-focus and start going again. Brathwaite has a tendency to get out cheaply for ducks, popping it back at the bowler or driving lazily into the arms of fielders within the circle. Still, in yesterday's game, he showed a side of himself which we've not seen before; he upped his strike rate and hit some fine, dashing boundaries.

2. As Brathwaite is a right hander, we need a lefty here. But who? Tell me. We can put Simmons, but he's a right hander too. Another clever option is to promote a different bowler to open every game and give this bowler a license to block, swipe or get some batting practise. This will shield our number 3 from the new ball and give our tail some time in the middle.

3. Kirk Edwards third. Edwards is fun when he's smashing balls, but has major weaknesses. He cant handle movement, swipes and edges anything wide on the offside, misjudges balls and lets them hit his stumps and loves getting Lbwed. Keep Edwards on a short leash: if he fails 3 innings in a row, drop him. The selectors must be ruthless. We have enough replacements for everybody.

4. Darren Bravo fourth. Looks good when in full flow, but has big flaws too. His on-side game is still weak and when playing in front the pad is prone to misjudge and get lbw. Keeps getting out lazily. Loves throwing away his wicket.

5. Blackwood. We don't know if he can bat yet. Note that this number five spot is also being contested by Simmons, Gayle, Pollard, Leon and Dwayne Bravo. Who goes here? Why? Tell me.

6. Chanderpaul.

7. Ramdin. Needs to make runs, because Simmons, also a keeper, is in prime form with the bat and we can't have good players waiting in the wings.

8. Jason Holder - support bowler. We need to get Holder playing and improving his speed. If not Holder, who else? Do we like Gabriel, Carlos Brathwaite and Cotterel? Who else do we have?

9. Narine/Benn/Badree - one spin bowler must play all test games. Don't let Shillingford play for the West Indies again. We aint wasting time with his long sleeves anymore.

10. Roach - main pace bowler. To prevent breakdown, groom another pacer to work alongside him. But who?

11. Taylor - main pace bowler. To prevent breakdown, groom another pacer to work alongside him. But who? Without Pollard, Dwayne or Simmons, we have no all-rounders who can also bowl.

* You have listed a solid core of players.

* In the opening spot---left handed Taje Chanderpaul may be ready to partner right handed Kraig Brathwaite in about 3 years.

* At #3, Edwards can warm this position in the short term, but he is not a long term prospect.

* If Jermaine Blackwood excels, he can be promoted to #3.

* At #4---Darren Bravo

* At #5, Shiv will occupy that position for another 2 years.

* At #6----lots of prospects---Leon Johnson, Sunil Ambris, or some young player who perfoems well in the first class competition.

At #7---that's the wicketkeeping position---Ramdin has this locked for years to come.

At #8---this is the spinners position----Benn/Narine/Shillingford----they'll compete for this spot.

At #9-#11---the quicks----Roach, Taylor, Holder, Gabriel, Carlos, etc, etc


CONCLUSION:

* The WI has a good core of players going forward----and if the batsmen can apply themselves like they did today the WI may be able to move up from #8 ranking to #6 or #7.

Rev

What is Sunil Ambris' domestic game like?

We are basically spoilt for choice for 1 batting position.

Do we want Blackwood, Simmons, Gayle, Pollard, Leon, Dwayne or Ambris?

Another question: outside of Taylor and Roach, who are our best fast bowlers?

Do you think the threat of being dropped inspires batsmen to bat better, or makes them insecure and bat worse?

Some years ago I salivated at th prospects of Barath and Brathwaite opening and Powell in the mix. They seemed to be your brightest prospects.

Due to the poor domestic standard, many youngsters entering te Test arena, particularly batsmen, are far from ready so have to learn and therefore make many mistakes on the job.

Brathwait will struggle against better teams on faster tracks but he has an excellent temperament.

Brathwaite plays with half his bat and the edge and that is very dangerous. I am pleased for him but as TRINIDADDY says he needed to have bide his time to recover on the pitch and then start again.

However I think the lot you have on show approximates he best you have just now.

Key to success isto get rid of Gibson.

Is it the case of the windies being spoilt for choices.I find it hard to believe that there are many options,but none made worthy use of.i like the idea of sending in a bowler to get some practice,but won't that make the line up fragile.The confidence factor will dip down and that is why it is such a privileged spot.I still believe chris Gayle deserves a longer run at the top.He needs to refine his technique,that is all.He can regain all his form with just some minor tweaks.

Chris Gayle stays until Tage is ready.

Sarwan will be back , I can guarantee that .

Assad Fudadin and Narsingh Deonarine should be in the mix as well.

Bishoo and Permaul will excel later on for that 2nd SPIN option.

Leon Johnson once CAPPED will not look back

I know , I know .....with Shiv thats 8 Guyanese 

Sarwan will not be back as long as Gibson is there.

STICK A FORK IN SARWAN. HIS WI PLAYING DAYS ARE OVER.

Rev

Exactly ...and the good news is : He skating on thin Ice...