Australia in the West Indies

Pollard, Russell and Sammy does pack some deadly blows.  Andre Russell is a big dangerman for all opposing teams.  Check these stats.

Originally posted by spin wizard Pollard, Russell and Sammy does pack some deadly blows.  Andre Russell is a big dangerman for all opposing teams.  Check these stats.

yes, it'll be great to see Gayle in west indian colors, one thing is for sure, WI have improved immensely and remember they are without Ravi Rampaul, their best bowler, his inclusion will make them even stronger.

Australia did bowl pretty good at the end yesterday, much different from the past 2 ODI's.  The partnership between Bonner and Darren Bravo cost West Indies the game big time.  That was unacceptable for T20 Cricket.  St. Lucia is a 175 ground to feel safe in T20's.

Originally posted by sam_ahmed I dare say, WI will start WT20 as the favorites as I do not see any other side being as explosive, RSA might be the other favorite team

As much as I would like it to be true, I wouldn't say RSA are favorites. They have a really consistent side but not enough match-winners. Only AB, Levi and Albie with the bat and possibly Botha with the ball. They must select Tahir for the T20s though since it's being played in SL. If they leave him out and select Robin Peterson instead, they will bleed runs in the field. Although I would agree that WI are right up there as favorites along with the sub-continent sides.

Yeah, after watching IND bowl today, I wouldn't consider them favorites. Their batting line-up will be the best on show by a country mile but the bowling is just so poor, I can see them eventually getting into a position where the batting can't recover the runs they bleed in the field.

I don't think we'll play Smith though. Hashim and Levi are a dead cert to open and Smith isn't going to be in the side if he isn't opening. Also, Steyn hasn't played a T20I for about 2 years now, he isn't in the international T20 set-up for RSA. So we can't really count the skill and experience of Smith and Steyn because they won't play. I still think Hashim is unproven in the T20 format so I really don't think I would consider him a match-winner just yet.

I may have been a bit too harsh on our side though. You're right about Morne and I guess we can Tsotsobe to that as well since he is doing so well. Levi, Albie, AB, Duminy, Morkel, Tsotsobe and Botha. 7 excellent players who can all win RSA games but the main issue I have is with the passengers in the bowling attack. Guys like Parnell and Theron aren't good enough bowlers and they will be taken apart on flat surfaces in SL, which offer very little for the faster bowlers. RSA just need an X-factor bowler like a Malinga to partner the likes of Morkel, Tsotsobe and Botha. Then I would say RSA stand a very good chance of winning.

Back on topic, a great win for the WI. So far on the tour, AUS have won 3 matches and WI have won 3 matches. I bet the Aussies wouldn't have been expecting such a poor return but now comes the biggest challenge for the Windies. Can they possibly challenge the Aussies in the Test matches?

Test will be really interesting this time.Nothing can better with still a deadlock between the two teams after 7 encounters with 3 wins for each and a tie. So so so close.

Originally posted by sam_ahmed Another fine show by the West Indies and they are taking the fight to the Aussies once again, 25th ton for Chanders as WI post 448/9 dec. Some explosive sitting by Sammy towards the end. AUS are in some sort of bother 133/3 at lunch on Day 1, this is turning out to be a fascinating contest.

Watching the match ? I guess you were sleepy. 

Edited by MalhotraRaj84 - 09 April 2012 at 8:21pm

It was a typo Raj! :)

I like the cut of Clarke's gib !  Ponting captained a side that was for many years was just light years ahead off all opposition , in short , the side didn't need a pro-active captain to win matches. Clarke's inherited a side in transition and has not been cautious in his approach and yesterday's declaration epitomised that positivity.  That his side fielded for almost 2 days and conceded almost 450 runs must have been pretty demoralising. At the start of play yesterday and the early losses of Hussey and Siddle had me thinking that the Windies could well declare later in the day and go for the win. What happened shows the real beauty of test cricket - the tail made batting look easy and then the surprise declaration and Hilfenhaus reducing the home side to 4-3 - brilliant !! 
              What looked like a bore draw is now set up for a fantastic final day. If Australia pull off a win here the credit will go in equal amounts to the tail , the attack and Clarke , but in my eyes Clarke was the real star.
               The future for Australia looks rosy , Clarke always bats with panache and he's shown that he intends to captain in the same cavalier way - good luck to him , cricket needs captains that are willing to take risks and declaring short could well have set them up for a remarkable win.
             Having said all that , the Windies are far from out of this contest although I do think that the two at the crease do have to dig in and try and take the wind out of the Aussie sails. If they don't the Aussies could well be chasing below 200 and with maybe two and a half sessions to get them.    Whatever transpires , I'll be there tonight - all results still possible.


Edited by Sledger - 11 April 2012 at 6:06am

I don't think there was anything special with the decleration timing. As a captain , with just 40 runs deficit and and just about 4 sessions left when the series is at 0-0, it was but obvious that Aussies managment felt that they were safe and they could take a chance if early wicket falls ( that is what exactly happened). I prefectly agree that it was the perfect time to declare ... full marks to it , but I would say it was a safety first strategy rather than aggressive, not a surprise or nothing innovative about it.

Well Sam , if time is too less and team which is lagging wants to force a result , then they can let go a huge lead, I remember Fleming doing that with 199 odd run lead.

Edited by MalhotraRaj84 - 11 April 2012 at 7:05pm

What a match!! THIS IS REAL CRICKET unlike useless matches of IPL -

Sad for WI they did very well but in the end better team won. Very happy that Australia won

Sam there was nothing special about Clarke's captaincy declaring behind 40 is not a huge thing Mr Captain Cool Dhoni does it daily.




Edited by mystery - 11 April 2012 at 10:53pm

Clarke's declaration probably had something to do with the body language of the West Indians - they were seriously hacked off with the Aussie tail !  The timing of it was impeccable and the home side weren't expecting it - they were not in the right frame of mind when they went into bat - hence 4-3 !

       As for the finish , well done to the Aussies in pretty poor light. Fine attacking knock from Watson set it up and I expect they'll go on to win the series in some comfort.  Some pretty ragged bowling from the Windies , especially to the tail in the first innings. They still have a fragile mentality and simply don't know how to bury a side when they are on top. As for their tactics yesterday - one slip and a one day field in the 2nd over - what was that ??? They were never going to be able to prevent the Aussies from scoring at 3 an over , so they had to attack and try and take 10 wickets. I'm glad they lost , their whole approach yesterday was cockeyed !

congratulations to Australia on a really hard fought victory. I think Sledge is right, Clarke's declaration had a lot to do with the body language of the west indians, and no one was expecting a declaration at that time.