Australia v West Indies, 2nd Test, Adelaide, Dec 4-8

Well I was actually quite positive about our prospects on this tour when the squad was first selected but that has been tempered by abysmal series preparation, bad luck with injuries and an in-form opposition. A West Indies attack without Taylor and Edwards has absolutely no chance of taking 20 wickets against Australia on a pitch like Adelaide IMHO so we might have to play a slightly more negative lineup to sure up the batting. Sarwan is almost certain to be back so that is a huge boost. I really fancy him to score runs against these Aussie bowlers given the form he has been in this year. Our best hope of being competitive or maybe even more in this test is to win the toss and bat first. If Australia bat first and inevitably get a huge total it might be another painful test for West Indies supporters.

I reckon they will go with this lineup:

Gayle
Barath
Dowlin
Sarwan
Chanderpaul
Deonarine
Bravo
Ramdin (wk)
Roach
Rampaul
Tonge

Deonarine to take up the spinning duties on a flat track that offers virtually no spin anyway, Bravo to drop down to 7 because he is going to have to do way too much bowling on this tour.

I think they would be a bit hasty to drop Nash if they went with that lineup. He deserves another crack ahead of Deonarine. Dowlin punched above his weight in Brisbane, and although I reckon he'll be found out eventually, he deserves to play again at Adelaide. Benn will be picked. He wasn't that bad in Brisbane both with ball and bat, you have to admit WIFAN. His fielding is poor though.

I can't see WIndies challenging with that team. How's Crystal's bowling doing?

Any more seamer injuries, and Tino Best might have to be called up.

He could make a few bob repairing windows if he doesn't actually get to play.

Call Curtly Ambrose up, he'd still be able to do the business at medium pace.

WIFAN wrote:Well I was actually quite positive about our prospects on this tour when the squad was first selected but that has been tempered by abysmal series preparation, bad luck with injuries and an in-form opposition. A West Indies attack without Taylor and Edwards has absolutely no chance of taking 20 wickets against Australia on a pitch like Adelaide IMHO so we might have to play a slightly more negative lineup to sure up the batting. Sarwan is almost certain to be back so that is a huge boost. I really fancy him to score runs against these Aussie bowlers given the form he has been in this year. Our best hope of being competitive or maybe even more in this test is to win the toss and bat first. If Australia bat first and inevitably get a huge total it might be another painful test for West Indies supporters.

I reckon they will go with this lineup:

Gayle
Barath
Dowlin
Sarwan
Chanderpaul
Deonarine
Bravo
Ramdin (wk)
Roach
Rampaul
Tonge

Deonarine to take up the spinning duties on a flat track that offers virtually no spin anyway, Bravo to drop down to 7 because he is going to have to do way too much bowling on this tour.

If it's up to me I would have a similar side you have but pick Nash instead of Dowlin. I don't think Dowlin is a test player but I reckon they are going to keep him and drop Nash for Sarwan. I don't think they will drop Benn either. They seem to like him for some reason. So I think they are going to pick

Gayle
Barath
Sarwan
Chanderpaul
Dowlin
Bravo
Ramdin
Benn
Roach
Rampaul/Sammy
Tongue

DJ_Smerk wrote:Call Curtly Ambrose up, he'd still be able to do the business at medium pace.

Joel Garner is the tour manager. Even nudging 60yo he would still scare the shit out of me.

Bubbles confirmed in the XI by Drunky, with both making lots of noise about the plugged Dubber, but I've got a feeling Crystal may smash him all over Adelaide Oval

Essentially, if Bollinger did well in India then the NSP must think he'll do the same in Adelaide, especially with the similarities in the pitch.


I'm not sure of his other form, but is that ODI outing the sole reason for Doug's inclusion?

This is Les Burdett at work on the Adelaide Oval wicket...



It is and always has been a highway and methinks Bolly may find it hard going. But I'll be yahooing if he gets a bag.

And re: your Q about Bolly's ODI form being the catalyst, YES. Idiot Hilditch said JAMODI form was a good guide for the upcoming Tests. What an arseclown.

So he was pretty much picked off the back of a few decent ODI appearances?


Hm.


Good luck to the bloke.

....and the Warricrabs mostly got out to him in their double collapse last weekend ...obviously trying to help out their Big Bash teammate

So it'd be Midge and Doug opening the bowling?


On a flat pitch, Gayle might have some fun. Weirdly, Barath might struggle on the slower pitches.

I'd reckon Sids and Bolly, with Midge as 1st change.