England v West Indies 2009

[number11]

The squad for the first test has been announced....and blimey, it's fairly surprising. Usually the press have a good idea of what is to come but their predictions of Bell getting the nod at 3 over Vaughan are off the mark.

Both Bell and Vaughan left out along with Shah, with Harmison also missing. Ravi has been selected and unless they intend bumping KP up to 3, it looks like he will be going in first wicket down. Big responsibility but what an opportunity for him. If he can get some runs against the Windies there he can secure his place in the pivotal position for at least the start of the ashes and perhaps really kickstart his international career.

Bresnan and Onions have also been included, so Im guessing we will be playing 5 bowlers with Prior at 6. I presume this is with a view to Freddie coming in at 7 when he is fit, thus shaping the team for how the selectors want it to look for the ashes.

 

[SUFC Forever]

Glad that they selected Bopara as he more than deserves his chance following his performances in the West Indies.

 

[MrB]

Brave move but I'm pleased. Vaughan hasn't done anything of note to warrant a recall and whilst I thought they might try to shoehorn Bell back in, I'm glad they've taken the chance with Bopara. Hopefully they won't immediately change things if he doesn't score runs in the first test.

 

[Ailsa Road Shrimper]

It looks like an attacking line up, hopefully this Lords Test won't be a draw, weather permitting. Not sure I'd feel confident about that batting line up against the Aussies, but at least there more of an emphisis on taking 20 wickets by playing 5 bowlers as this problem cost England in the Caribbean.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

The West Indies really are bad tourists.

 

[canveyshrimper]

The West Indies really are bad tourists.

I've just seen the WIndies wickets and their batting Bravo & possibly Chanderpaul apart was pitiful. It's been compounded by a poor start in the field. They don't appear to be trying and really are short chsnging the paying public.

 

[Southminster_Shrimper]

I've just seen the WIndies wickets and their batting Bravo & possibly Chanderpaul apart was pitiful. It's been compounded by a poor start in the field. They don't appear to be trying and really are short chsnging the paying public.

Not been a good side for a while now. They seem to have had a lot of off the field stuff going on in recent years which cant have helped.

A confidence boost is all we can take from these games before the revamped Aussies arrive. Hopefully we can raise our game to the occassion for their arrival.....first clue might be the 20/20 World Cup.

Looking forward to a summer of England cricket....cant wait

 

[The General]

Very impressive 328 this morning and we have just captured Gayle (b Broad c Ravi) and i cant see them chasing 200, let alone 300!

Kev

 

[Boreham Shrimper]

Well they finally managed 270 all out after 49.4 overs but thank God the tour that nobody wanted is over with. Not sure how we're going to do in the T20 World Cup (and I'm not all that bothered if I'm honest) but I'm really looking forward to the real action this summer, the Ashes.

It's a shame that we couldn't have played a team that actually wanted to be here to assess just what our chances are for the Ashes but with the Sri Lankans deciding they were going to make themselves a quick buck in the IPL we didn't have much choice. To be fair to the Windies, the conditions haven't generally been conducive to great cricket so far this "summer" (save for Sunday at Bristol) and if I were the ECB I'd think twice about scheduling such an extensive home international series programme so early in the season in the future.