[size=14pt]The WI selectors know from the last game that this bowling attack (Shilly, Sammy, Best, Gabriel, Deo) is weak. West Indies fans on radio shows, message boards and clubs have been ranting about this bowling attack for the past week, and now the selectors do what they always do and persist with their own silly decisions. Maybe it's an ego thing: they love to persist with bad bowlers in the "hope" that they will eventually be proven right.
Best and Gabriel cannot lead a bowling attack.
Deo was presumably chosen because he can bat slowly and for a long time in Test matches, but this choice is already an admittance that the WI selectors have no faith in its frontline batsmen.
I predict three NZ batsmen getting centuries in the first innings. If our bowlers do well, I will eat my own words.[/size]
[quote author=The Chairman link=topic=85951.msg537770#msg537770 date=1386723616]
the only other choices were narine and cotterel
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This.
Trinidaddy, whom would you pick from these two? And how would it improve the bowling lineup considerably?
I have no idea why Ravi ain't playing though. Would've easily trusted him to lead the attack more than Gabriel and Best.
Based on the squad in New Zealand the team selected seems to be the best complement of players. However I read somewhere where either Gibson or Sammy said they had toyed with the idea of playing Narine but the pitch seemed unhelpful so why play Shillingford?
I too am not sure why Rampaul is not in this team, unless he is injured but appeared fine in the India ODIs. He seems a real impact bowler and more often than not, he takes early wickets. His fuller length makes him quite suitable for New Zealand conditions.
This is perhaps where the selectors made an error in the first place. I would give Narine many more ODIs to continue his development, allowing Shillingford the opportunity to be lead test bowler.
I had previously been a bit critical of Deonarine purely because, on what I see, he can be a better batsman and he does not seem to have learnt or developed. However his allround game makes him a good candidate for the number 6 spot. However he is capable of scoring 100s and needs to buckle down.
8 hours later, and this bowling attack I criticised did very well. It looks like they will get SA out for 350-360, which is reasonably good. I honestly expected a 500 for NZ. Is NZ's low score due to good bowling or bat batting, though?
Gabriel can't bowl.
Rampaul is an excellent bowler, but he can only give you 5 or so great overs in Tests. He seems to get tired quickly and lose his body. If you play him in tests, you have to use him very sparingly.
I would play Shilly and Narine together, Holder and Santokie, keep Sammy and find another fast pacer. Right now our best quicks are Roach and Rampaul.
8 hours later, and this bowling attack I criticised did very well. It looks like they will get SA out for 350-360, which is reasonably good. I honestly expected a 500 for NZ.
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[quote author=TRINIDADDY link=topic=85951.msg537852#msg537852 date=1386777165]
8 hours later, and this bowling attack I criticised did very well. It looks like they will get SA out for 350-360, which is reasonably good. I honestly expected a 500 for NZ. Is NZ's low score due to good bowling or bat batting, though?
360 is a very large total for this unpredictable West Indies line up. Bowling first, a Captain will aim to get the opposition out for under 300. However time will tell.
Gabriel can't bowl. I think Gabriel is a fine prospect but his persistent injuries have hampered his progress. In this test he looks more challenging to face. He is a young guy making his way and should be first of second change to allow his development. This opportunity has not been afforded to him and may have a negative impact on his cricketing future. From the numbers, he was extremely steady in his first spell so as a Coach, I would be please with that improvement.
Rampaul is an excellent bowler, but he can only give you 5 or so great overs in Tests. He seems to get tired quickly and lose his body. If you play him in tests, you have to use him very sparingly. Mitchell Johnson is used in short sharp bursts and I am not sure I agree you can only get 5 good overs per test from Rampaul. He is an impact bowler so use him in spells of 6 overs. I would say 8 at the start and 5-6 overs spells thereafter. That will get you 24 overs in the day if required. In this test none of the seamers bowled 20 overs yesterday.
I believe the real question is not necessarily about any particular bowler but how they complement each other.
I would play Shilly and Narine together, Holder and Santokie, keep Sammy and find another fast pacer. That seems a very interesting, if not strange, suggestion especially if you are talking tests. Are you suggesting 6 bowlers? I would think the Captain does not lend to a potent attack.
Right now our best quicks are Roach and Rampaul. Interesting one is injured and the other is not even in the squad.
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