WI v Australia - series predictions

Now that the WICB has come up with whatever compromise has been agreed upon, and something close tto the best Windian team available has been sent, how will they fare in the series beginning in JUST 3 WEEKS (thank fark) against an Australian side that is still clearly rebuilding after major personnel changes over the last 3 years, with ageing and injured players at the top of the order and behind the stumps, and a seemingly endless recycling of the keepers and bowlers? Might they actually win?

AUSTRALIAN 12 (likely, with 'shadow' players bracketed):

Simon Katich
Shane Watson (Chris Rogers, Phil Hughes, Phil Jaques)
Ricky Ponting
Michael Clarke (erk - Brad Hodge)
Mike Hussey
Marcus North
Brad Haddin (Tim Paine, Chris Hartley, Graham Manou, Luke Ronchi, Matthew Wade)
Jason Krejza / Nathan Hauritz / Jon Holland / Beau Casson / Chris Simpson / even Bryce McGain
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Ben Hilfenhaus
Stuart Clark

I see this year as an excellent opportunity for Australia to examine its spin prospects closely, as the West Indies (barring Lara) have traditionally struggled against spin in recent years. My preference would be for Krejza in the Tests and perhaps Hauritz or even someone like Simpson in the ODIs. Depending on the nature of the injuries to and recovery rate of Haddin and Paine, it may also be an opportunity to examine Ronchi at the top level, especially whilst he seems to be in cracking batting form, although i think any of the other keepers named above would do a better job behind the stumps than Haddin, and bat adequately. Amongst the batsmen, Katich and Hussey would seem to be nearing (<2 years) the end of their careers; but barring injury I suspect both will see out this summer and be fairly desperate to hang on until the return Ashes next year. The faster bowlers are on a real merry-go-round at present ... the four I've listed, all Ashes tourists, are probably the best of the bunch; though there is a pack just behind them (Noffke, Magoffin, Dorey, Geeves, young Walter from Queensland, Bollinger, McKay, and a host of random Dubbers).

With the Australian team looking less established than it has for some time, I fancy the West Indians to accredit themeselves fairly well if they can unite themselves behind Gayle, and (a big if) if Gayle, Sarwan, and Chanderpaul can perform to their ability.

My tip? A 2-1 series result, and I'm not at all sure which way.

AUS will win 2-0

How will there be a draw?

it will be interesting to see how Brendan Nash goes with the bat...

... slowly, I expect. I wonder if he'll get a bowl? I doubt he bowled much for Queensland, if at all, but the Windians have been giving him a trundle occasionally. His first wicket in Australia, if it comes, may be a Test wicket, which would be highly unusual for a Shield-raised player. Ken Eastwood might have achieved this 'feat', I'll need to check.

1-1 or 2-0.

You betting on there being a draw as well, smerky? Can't see it myself . . .

I was pushing for a draw during the Ashes, I got close, but no cigar...

no, smerky, a drawn test . . it's a 3 test series . . .

Well there's less likely to be a drawn test, unless it rains.



I just want the Windies to show a bit of fire.

2-1 Australia IMHO. Our bowling attack will get it together for one test but ultimately the better side will triumph.

WIFAN wrote:2-1 Australia IMHO. Our bowling attack will get it together for one test but ultimately the better side will triumph.

Similar to the SAF series in SAF. I hope they keep the tempo high throughout the series (which they failed to do after winning the first test in SAF). WI need to regain the passion and fiyah of years gone by.


Cliche or not, its just what is needed.

problem is that the WI players haven't played much cricket lately so they will be VERY rusty

Totally agree PP, and whats more we only have one warm up match which will probably be against Queensland's teeny boppers.

The lack of Australian experience in our squad is also worrying. Gayle, Sarwan, Shiv, Bravo and Ramdin are the only ones who have toured Australia before. Obviously Nash spent a lot of time in Australia and he is going to have to have a chat with the younger players like Barath.

Similar to the SAF series in SAF. I hope they keep the tempo high throughout the series (which they failed to do after winning the first test in SAF). WI need to regain the passion and fiyah of years gone by.

Yeah thats exactly how I see it going unfortunately. We might even win the first test just like we did in SA when Taylor, Edwards and Bravo had a field day at PE. Our bowlers are perfectly capable of bowling the Aussies out cheaply (they dismissed a much stronger Australian side for 154 in 2008), but I just can't see it happening more than once.

WIFAN wrote:2-1 Australia IMHO. Our bowling attack will get it together for one test but ultimately the better side will triumph.

Wiffy

You know the umps will step in as soon as the Windies look like getting a sniff and fire out all your batsmen and not give any Ozzies out