The batsmen are being forced to play too defensively and negatively. Every second innings they play is an excercise in ball blocking. With a stronger bowling attack, I think, the middle order might gain some confidence. A good bowling attack inspires batsmen to play hard for a win.
I would drop Samuels for the next game and let both Hope and Dowrich play.
I'd also drop Holder for Alzari, but Alzari's just flown home.
If Holder plays, I would make him bat at 1 to 4. A guy like him in the top order can have a good effect on the team. He can break up the field and confuse the opposition.
I like Ketchim's idea of letting Bravo open. He already bats like an opener. Might as well officially make him one.
I think this is the WI's last test for the year (then an ODI series vs Zim and SL?). So Singh won't get any games this year. I imagine next year he will play for Samuels, Leon or Hope.
[quote author=TRINIDADDY link=topic=106746.msg717695#msg717695 date=1477421947]
Maybe force Holder to open or bat at 2.
I like Ketchim's idea of letting Bravo open. He already bats like an opener.
[/quote]
This is the kinda suggestions that is Logic !!!
Bravo looked extremely comfortable as an Opener by default !
and yes, force Holder up as opposed to destroying Leon
Quote:Opening and batting at 3 are two different psychological challenges.
An opener's job is to blunt the opposition and see off the new ball. WI's openers can't do this, always falling early and so leaving Bravo to do the task at number 3 anyway.
Bravo, because the team is so weak, has long decided he is a Chanderpaul-esque batsman. He curbs his flashy shots and tries to bat with focus. If you've got such a constipated (in a good way) batsman, might as well put him to open. That's what England do with Cook and what India did with Gavaskar.
The opposite approach is the Aussie way: 2 cowlashers (Langer, Hayden, Warner etc) to open. I like this too. Stick two cowlashers there and tell them to slog a 40-50 each. Imagine Carlos and Holder opening.
I take that point apropos Bravo but find it bizarre suggesting Holder as opener or batting at 3 as he has never done that in his career and whilst he has pretty good technique lower down the order this is like trying to manufacture him into something he has never been.
However I maintain my position about opening and batting at 3. Boycott, some time ago, was talking about this and gave a really good insight into the psyche, in his view.
Holder, even lower down the order, is not consistent enough but given the environment anything is worth a try. Leroy is a top order batsman and more suitable, on paper, in that opening slot than Holder. Leroy should get the next test and save all the instability.
I just think the selectors have to back players. Its all about temperament and approach.
[quote author=TRINIDADDY link=topic=106746.msg717698#msg717698 date=1477422783]
WI's openers can't do this, always falling early and so leaving Bravo to do the task
[/quote]
not Fair ! Leon is NOT a bona fide opener.
Mail is biased re: Bravo playing outta his spot
BUT do not extend the same thinking to Leon, a middle order Batsman!
