I’ve been reading a lot of articles and reports congratulating the West Indies on their draw in the second test, with Chris Gayle in particular coming in for praise. I can’t help but wonder if it’s not a little premature.
There is no doubt they have improved from the first test at the Gabba, but let;s face it, it would be hard not to.
The reality is that the West Indies were unable to push their advantage against an Australian team that is looking increasingly middle of the road.
This is a team that pales in comparison to those of the past decade. There is no Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath picking up wickets at will. There is no Brett Lee blowing away batsmen with 150 km/h thunderbolts. And there is no Hayden, Langer, Martyn or Gilchrist to set or chase any size of total.
This is a team with a workmen like bowling line up, and with the exception of Ponting and Clarke, a batting lineup that is either inexperienced or out of form.
Yet, still the men from the Caribbean are being applauded for a draw that ensured the Aussies will retain the Frank Worrell Trophy, which they have held since 1995.
As for Gayle, his composed innings of 165 runs off 285 only reinforced the frustration of his previous three innings in the series. In all these cases, Gayle got out after playing irresponsible or lazy shots.
This innings only served to show the incredible talent and ability he possesses when, all too infrequently committing himself.
When focused, Gayle has shown he has the capability to dismantle any bowling line up with a combination of strength and trademark West Indian flair.
As for the rest of his team, Dwayne Bravo continues to show he is a world class player and others showed they can perform at Test level.
But the real proof will be in reproducing and improving on this standard of play in the third Test.
If the Windies, and Gayle, can continue this form and level the series in the third Test, then I will pat them on the back say well done.
Fisher Price
Guest
12 wickets against India, yes. But they came after he and the rest of the attack had already been thoroughly dismantled and the Indians were throwing caution to the wind.
Justin
Guest
Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls perhaps? ;) As there is no other thread I'll slip into the state of the AUS team. The selectors have created a situation they are going to find hard to get out of. They have made it clear that certain players are up to it and certain others arent. The problem is they have got the players the wrong way around. The players they think are up to it - Watson (as an opener this is). Since when in the history of Tests has an all-rounder been an opening batsmen? As he showed in Adelaide he is a more than useful bowler (swing and pace). Yes he is performing OK with the bat but he would be better for AUS in the middle order. They are exhausting a player who has a horrendous history of injury, its a matter of time before the burden gets too much (in fact I think he may have some sort of stomach strain now). We have an abundance of openers (which I will mention later). Hussey - a great period of 4-5 years is over, he should have been dumped in England. He is struggling against some average bowling. 70 runs off 200 balls in Adelaide on a terrific batting wicket. The 100 he got in England had more chances than I care to remember, he was bloody lucky and looked all at sea in Brisbane also. Seems to be nicking gentle seamers behind the wicket every other day. Why he is batting at 4 also I will never know. Clarke has been so superior to him over the past 18-24 months its not funny and he is much more fluent. Averaging around 35 for the past 2 years and importantly his strike rate is down by 10 in this period. Hauritz - Another player who while not playing badly is just not up to it. He has little penetration in Tests when players dont have to go after him. Does he even attempt to spin the ball? Give it a bloody rip Nate, it might turn for you one day. Another great opportunity in Adelaide to make a statement and we got 2-180! He might have got a few in Brisbane but the WI were not ready for a Test match. He has only 3 top 6 wickets so far this series. The guy has NEVER taken 5 wickets in an inning in first class cricket! He averages 45 in FCC! Now the guys who should be in for the above - we only need to find 2 players as Watson should bat at 6. For openers there are numerous contenders. Now if someone mentioned to you there was a 20yr who had played 30 first class matches at nearly 60 with a similar strike rate you would have them in the side. If that same player averaged 52 with a sr of 59 in Tests with 2 tons and a fifty, all AWAY from home, would you really drop him? Yes PJ Hughes should be opening for AUS and should never have been dropped. He should have been reinstated for this series. The selectors may have stuffed him for the next few years as he is seemingly struggling to figure out which way to play. I say play the way you were and slowly but surely work on that short ball. I would have him in the ODI side too, Shaun Marsh is overrated. If you dont want Hughes then how about Chris Rogers or Phil Jaques, both average over 50 in domestic cricket. I still think Jason Kraja? is the man to take the spin role. Anyone who takes 12 wickets v India in India must be worth persisting with. He is a huge turner of the ball, unlike Hauritz and has become more economical since he has been dropped. Has 13 wickets so far in SS this year, decent with the bat and excellent in the field. Dropped after not producing on a road in Perth v SA. There are some younger potential spinners in the wing like Holland and Smith but they need another couple of years by the looks of them. The team has become defensive also, our rr has been down so these changes will give us more runs and more time to bowl the opposition out. With more runs and time attacking bowlers like JK can come into their own. Unfortunately I am not confident in the selectors doing much about it. How CA gave Hilditch another 2 years beggars belief!