England Test tour of WI, March 1-28

[bigfluffylemon]

Cheers sussex. I got the impression from comments made above that the pitch didn't do a whole lot and the early wickets were more careless batting than great bowling.

I guess we'll see.

[sussexpob]

Cheers sussex. I got the impression from comments made above that the pitch didn't do a whole lot and the early wickets were more careless batting than great bowling.

I guess we'll see.

The ball was swinging, but windies didn't bowl well for their wickets Only really holder got the ball in the right areas consistently. So wickets are on offer for good bowling with the new ball, after 30 odd overs it looks arm a slow, flat wicket that's decent for batting .

[yuppie]

Back to back 100;s for Bairstow

Foakes contributing as well.

Stokes plays with a straight bat and knows where his off stump is. Would do a better job opening. Short term fix for sure but why not?

[sussexpob]

I think atm England are preserving whatever Stokes has in the tank left at this level, yuppie. As stated yesterday, he's not expected to bowl this series. Seems after his stress related issues he's going to transfer more to a batsman as they don't want to overload him.

It wouldn't surprise me if Ben is close to calling it a day. Just a hunch, but he took time off in consecutive summers....and out if all English players, he'd make a pretty penny trawling the T20 leagues

[alfie]

In fairness to Stokes , he was out of action for some time for personal reasons ; had a hand injury ; arguably came back too soon - and copped a bad injury from overdoing his bowling ... I didn't really expect him to dominate immediately.
This determined , if scratchy , effort wasn't a bad start. Let's give him some time , eh ?

[sussexpob]

In fairness to Stokes , he was out of action for some time for personal reasons ; had a hand injury ; arguably came back too soon - and copped a bad injury from overdoing his bowling ... I didn't really expect him to dominate immediately.
This determined , if scratchy , effort wasn't a bad start. Let's give him some time , eh ?

This is two different things, Alfie.

The first, do I expect him to need time to play himself back into form/was his selection too early, I have covered before - and I think considering my reputation towards him, I have been very understanding and patient. At no stage in the Ashes did I criticize his play (in fact, considering the seriousness I take his personal issues, I have given him pretty much a free pass).

But the second is just reality; in the future he is going to be bowling less and less. Even before his time off and injuries his IPL coach was saying they were not going to bowl him in the last IPL to preserve his batting. And now he's in this series apparently as a specialist batter, as he was picked in for (I think) the last 2 Ashes tests. The transition is happening right now. Just look at the longer term stats - Career as a whole, averages 23 overs a test with the ball. Last three years that's dropped to 13. And that will drop again if he does indeed not bowl this series.

As for the longer term, I said it was just a feeling based on his time out the game. Other players who took time out with similar issues (Trott and Trescothick) didnt return for long. This is not a judgement as him as a person or a cricketer, just how I see reality. I hope he proves me wrong..... I am more concerned about him as a human being than being an asset for England cricket.

[alfie]

Sorry , Sussex : didn't intend my comment as a shot at your post - I agree you've certainly ... moderated ? your criticisms of Ben ; and I think you are correct in assuming he will probably bowl less and hence be more reliant on his batting in the future (though I fancy he will still be a pretty handy fifth bowler)

Was more a reaction to a lot of stuff I have seen in various places expressing disappointment with his batting returns in these last few months. Which also touches , I guess , on your feelings about his long term prospects. I may well be wrong but I think Tests mean a lot to him and don't see him going for franchise loot as an alternative. He is a rather different sort of character to Trescothick and Trott in a lot of ways ; so while he clearly has had issues other than physical that have recently impacted his game , I think he is more likely to continue in the game...but of course , like you , I am speculating...

Agree his own well being is more important than just cricket. But I think it is perhaps important enough to him that he is unlikely to walk away any time soon. As always , time will tell.

[alfie]

Apart from the matter of Stokes : I enjoyed day one. Much more entertaining than the bore draw in Pakistan !

Thought West Indies bowled pretty well early on - particularly Roach and Holder. Fell away a bit (apart from the excellent Holder) as the day and the ball wore on.

England top order was as frail as usual though I am not about to write off the new boy on one innings. And the fight back from Bairstow and Stokes - almost a carbon copy of their efforts in Sydney - was quite encouraging ; as was the handy contribution from Foakes. Not getting carried away yet but that middle order doesn't look too bad...shame about the top

Lot of work to do still so hope YJB and the bowlers can kick on a bit. But for day one I'm giving England a pass - with Bairstow due a for backing up his Sydney form in fine style.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bit of a collapse, but England probably have plenty. Again, wickets to the newer ball.

[mikesiva]

England 311 all out.

Bairstow 140

Seales 4-79

[sussexpob]

Well that ended suddenly. Game was slipping away, but its in sight if Windies can bat well....

A porous batting line up vs an inexperienced, out of form attack.... game on I guess

[Arthur Crabtree]

Another good score for JB1. Maybe he's going to repay his run of opportunities.

Good effort by Holder too.

[sussexpob]

England' glorious new ball attack and their important new responsibilities lasts 3 overs before woakes is whipped off

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presume this is just an over before lunch for Leach.

[sussexpob]

England' glorious new ball attack and their important new responsibilities lasts 3 overs before woakes is whipped off

And spin on in over 9.....I guess the captain fully endorsed strauss' new ball attack