Can #8 WEST INDIES Shock #5 INDIA ?

HERE IS THE LIKELY INDIAN BATTING LINE UP----averages


35.39 Vijay
42.59 Gambir
49.26 Pujara
39.47 Kohli
35.68 Rahane
38.46 Dhoni
38.87 Ashwin

OBSERVATION:

* Only 2 Indian batsmen average 40+

Rev

Clive Lloyd: Team for India chosen and will be announced in a couple of days

HERE IS THE LIKELY INDIAN BOWLING ATTACK


SHARMA: 178 wkts @35.75 avg
ASHWIN: 107 wkts @28.65
KUMAR:    28 wkts @30.25
AARON:    8 wkts @47.38


OBSERVATION:

* That's a rather ordinary bowling line-up---although Ashwin in India will create some trouble for WI bats.

Rev

west indies can beat this current indian side

India looking for some batsmen..need at least 1 opener...

west indies need I decent batsman and we might have the makings in Johnson.  Gayle returns and Johnson keeps his place..Edwards out.  the problem that emerges is in the order..who bats at 3.  no moving of Lil Bravo and Shive.  that is fine and well set.  we have to sacrifice lil Blackwood or the older, more experienced Johnson.

this west indian batting wont score quickly..only if Gayle gets going at the top..a decreasing prospect with Gayle's age. I would put Johnson in at 3 but instruct him to get himself in, score fifties or tons at a careful rate to solidify his career.  Johnson can score a bit but we cant sacrifice him for quick runs while Paint does Paint.

and Ramdin has done well enough in his first 5 tests.  his confidence in the job will grow especially if there is no dam head coach to impose crap on the tam with more power than Ramdin.  Ramdin is growing in the absence of a head coach.  things are fine up there, the team happier.  a low key Richardson more as manager than coach has struck a nice balance.  we should keep that going..Richardson as manager and sort of coach with Ramdin as captain

I am really happy the way things have gone with the team management recently.  deh shud keep it in place for a while..let it develop fully.  I might even start liking the Pie Bus

we also need a fast bowler.

Gabe has not been taking wickets but he is fast and can be manacing.  things may change with him and the wickets start to flow for him.

Cottrell has made strides and he is inline..maybe next in line.  I like Holder as all rounder potential but not as fast bowler.  he needs some more yards of pace..or else developing the devastating skills of a Vass of a slower pacer...

key is the team feeling itself like a team and playing like one..the results of which would be greater than the sum of its parts.  the tam is fine now.  the right leader is in place, a good team manager and selection panel. 

west indies is set up to improve now.  better people are in position running things

At this moment I don't see the West Indies beating India in India. They best they can hope for is a draw because India will be determined to win especially after the humiliation they faced in England in the test series. West Indies will fail at either the batting or bowling or even both during each of the three matches. Their mission will be to avoid a whitewash.

Mapster,


Gabriel will come good and I would opt for Blackwood for the ODIs and maybe both him and Johnson for tests.

I would rest Gayle for tests myself.

Has Rampaul retired?

I can just imagine Gabriel, Taylor and Roach on the faster tracks of South Africa. What a prospect.

I think Windies will compete very well but not sure they could win in India just yet.

The last time the West Indies won a test match in India was in December 1994---that's nearly 20 years ago.


* Since none of you will recall that WI victory---click on the link for the scorecard:

WI 443(Adams 174*)
India 387(Prabakar 120)
WI 301/3 dec(Lara 91)
India 114( Benjamin 5/65, Walsh 3/34)

www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63662.html

COMMENT:

* Can Roach, Taylor and Gabriel emulate Benjamin and Walsh ?

* The WI is overdue for a test win in India.

Rev

THANKS FOLR REMINDING ME OF RAMPAUL. HOW COULD i HAVE FORGOTTEN!

yes the return of Rampaul will solve the pace problem..will play before Gabe as long as he remains fit in my book

Roach, Taylor and Rampaul and Benn might..if you still talking to me that is