More West Indies Cricket News, Less Chat.
History was made at the Alpart Sports Club, St Elizabeth, yesterday when the in-form Marlon Samuels slammed a majestic unbeaten 250 to put Jamaica in pole position on day three of their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day Tournament opening-round clash against Guyana.
Samuels: I write down that I need 200 and I end up getting 250
Well done Marlon
We Miss u in World Cup 2011
Keep up that form Marlon and you will get a call up to the WI team, that for sure!!!!
Mail
Member
Samuels need to have an exceptional Season and this start sets him on the right course. Personally I think he has to have 2 good seasons following his cheating ban to be in contention.
In the event he is contention either after 1 or 2 season who do you think he should replace?
This Time We Need 300 Runs From U
lbw375
Member
I dont think its a matter of replacing anyone in the top 6.
The argument that we have a settled top 6 doesnt wash with me as we havent been winning matches, so as far as I am concerned we shouldnt even put forward the notion that we have a settled XI. Samuels and one other should be on the squad and we play the batsmen in form.
The side is woefully lacking based on Darren Sammy's performances to date, we cannot afford to play 2 all-rounders (Bravo & Sammy) in test matches or 3 (Bravo, Sammy, Pollard) in ODIs.
If the top 6 places is a fight between
1. Gayle
2. Barath
3. Darren Bravo
4. Sarwan
5. Chanderpaul
6. Nash
7. Samuels
8. Dwayne Bravo
9. Simmon (if he does well in this year's competition)
it cannot be bad for the test team.
Our bowling with Sammy is suspect as he seems not penetrative enough, a bowling unit of
1. Benn
2. Roach
3. Taylor
4. Edwards
5. Pascal
6. Another Spinner - Odean Brown, Imran Khan, whoever
gives us options
Based on Samuels' performances in the T20, in the practice matches for Jamaica, if he makes 700 plus runs for the season there is no reason why he shouldnt be drafted back into the West Indies squad immediately. The selectors did the right thing in not rushing him back for the WC, (as some are suggesting) let him prove that after a 2 year layoff he has the ability to perform and see if he has matured
Mail
Member
LBW375,
I tend to agree with you in the principle of the arguement but in the context of Samuels we need to see sustained performances.
You are right about Sammy and not sure what your feelings are but he is not a test player as neither his batting nor bowling is up to scrtch and he weakens the test team as we awill always be one bowler short.
Assuming Samuels is in contention I would agree with your 9 plus Deonarine as he has done enough not to be forgotten so quickly. I also tend to agree that we cannot take the top 6 for granted but I suspect your top 6 will be the test top 6.
I will not mention either of Edwards and Taylor until they have proven they are fully fit and although taking wickets in the 4 day competition is important I want to see them bowl lots of overs to prove their all round fitness. Taylor looked match rusty in the T20 and I hear Edwards is up for selection for BIM so we see. My thinking therefore excludes them for the India and Pakistan tour unles they do exceptionally well.
I think Imran Khan has gone off the boil and am a big fan of Odean but having seen him recently not sure he will cut the test scene but happy for him to have a crack. I like the look of Narine but he has some way to go to prove his worth plus answering the question of his action. He seems a mix of Mendis and a Saqlain.
For the ODIs I disagree and would have Sammy Big Bravo and Pollard in. However Pollard has continued to disappoint in 50 overs, Sammy has failed to spark nevermind fire and Bravo is there or there about.
As much as I love Shiv as a 'National' treasure, I think he needs to step aside after the World Cup and focus on Tests even if he is player of the tournament! He looks very fit and agile but we need to preserve him I think.
baxup
Member
I agree with your views on Samuels and Deo.
I think Deo would and should be back of the pack given his injury and the light that was shed on his fitness.
Simmons will end up at the back of the pack. He is lacking technically and has been around FC cricket for a long time now where he has not demonstrated consistencies. A few big innings is what's holding him up. I still wish him all the best and hopes he prove me wrong.
Mail
Member
baxup,
Yes and that technical flaw I see in Sarwan, Gayle and others and that is playing with a horizontal bat too close to off stump.
My view is that the intake the HPC is too low and players who are on the fringe should be given the opportunity to work on their game at the HPC. I am aware that T&T do have batting consultants, most recently Greenidge, working with their players.
baxup
Member
My view is that the intake the HPC is too low and players who are on the fringe should be given the opportunity to work on their game at the HPC.
I don't know if I exactly agree with you there. Players on the fringe should be in the HPC if there is a definite need for them in the senior team. Otherwise they should be in the A team (a good a-team management structure may be the next step).
Though the HPC is new and we are still in a trial phase I think the purpose is just right at the moment. Work on players just coming out of the U19 level.
If you look at Deo, Simmons etc. they are good examples of players who did not get the right help in the 19-24 age range and that has hurt them. I am ok with cutting our losses as we move forward.
lbw375
Member
Yeah, Deo should also be in the mix, I was disappointed with his initial dropping from the squad as I thought he had done enough to retain his place. His subsequent injuries has further pushed him back.
I am more concerned about our bowling though as Benn and Roach are the only 2 that have been consistently "good", I would much rather Roach, Taylor, Edwards and Benn in tests. I only hope Edwards and Taylor come through this system fit and consistent
Mail
Member
I need not give examples but what, we have seen for quite some time now is that many players do incredibly well at the Domestic level and cannot step up to International level and we need to understand why to ensure talent is nurtured and not wasted.
A lot of Cricket is down to discipline and mental toughness and whilst the first can be thought, you either have the second quality or not although you can work at toughness.
The players who have failed are undoubtedly talented but in the absence of Professional cricket a short season does some but not much to sharpen skills and prepare one for the higher challenges.
So there is much for the WICB and local Boards to address although the HPC might pick up some of these responsibilities under Toby.
Kirk Edwards have had some good score but still averages under 40 (which is good comparatively) and attention must be paid to his development. I am yet to be convinced but his score against the Lions against a reasonable attack goes some way to getting me on his side.
I would like to the infrastructure turning our fantastic potential into performances and with this best wishes to all the players for the rest of the 4 day tournament.
Rally.....
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