Around the Wicket

Volume 4 - Calypso Crisis Part III

OK – as the series draws ever closer – let’s take a look at the Windies batting. It’s hard to predict their side, because they currently have an 18 man training squad, much to my disgust. They will cut 4 players from the 18 at the end of that, and that will be their test squad.

Now - only two men average over 40 with the bat for the Windies. Ramnaresh Sarwan averages 40.12, and Shiv Chanderpaul averages 47.24, and is their only real class player – even if he does face the wrong way. As for the rest, well they’re woeful. The Windies of late are littered with players who continually promise much, but deliver little. (Sarwan and Chanderpaul excluded)

Let’s take a look at Chris Gayle. Plain and simply, this guy is a flat track bully. When he faces average bowling on good pitches, he can be one of the most dominant players in the world. However, when conditions aren’t in his favour, too often he gives his team nothing. Combined with his laid-back attitude, it makes observers think he doesn’t work hard or care enough about his batting. I also think he’s batting out of his depth, and while he averages 38 opening the batting – I think he could average 45 in the middle order.

This is the bit where I was going to roast Marlon Samuels – but it’s no longer valid as he won’t be part of the team. Check out my previous blog if you want to know what I think of Samuels and his… little misdemeanour.

The other batsmen don’t fill anyone with confidence either. Darren Ganga averages about 26, and has good technique, but doesn’t make runs, and Devon Smith has poor technique and doesn’t make runs either. Dinesh Ramdin (the keeper) might make a few runs, and then there’s Chattergoon and Morton who are also poor. Dwayne (or Johnny) Bravo might get a few runs, and I hope he does, because I have a lot of time for Bravo. He strikes me as a very hard working cricketer, and has “spark”. He might make a very good captain one day – but he might want to talk to Freddie Flintoff about all rounders captaining not very good sides.

Finally – there’s been some on field action since I last blogged. The Poms are on top against NZ, but will probably run out of time to get a result. Especially if Bucknor keeps offering bad light to the batsmen. I don’t think he likes the London weather. And the Aussies are playing the Jamaican XI. MacGill took 4 for in the first dig, and Katich and Hodge are both in the side to see who will replace Clarke. I thought both men’s ships had sailed to be honest, and I would have preferred to see Dave Hussey get the call up.