The Round Table

'West Indies should put up a fight'

May 20, 2008

Over the last two years, West Indies have improved slowly but inconsistently, while Australia have been losing players to retirements. Will West Indies be able to stretch the world's best team in their transitionary phase? Ian Chappell, Michael Holding and Sanjay Manjrekar preview the upcoming three-Test series

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Comments have now been closed for this article I think this series could be a defining moment for the Aussie team. What will happen if Hayden,Ponting and Hussy struggle? Can the younger players step up out of their shadow? Will Brett Lee's form continue outside of Australia and can MacGill do the job ??? I think YES but some could and may well struggle i will be looking for symonds for man of the series i think he has matured into not only one of the worlds for devastating batsmen but one of the worlds smartest batsmen. He plays to the conditions. I see the series ending in a tough battle, but the likes of Bravo,Chanderpaul need to play amazingly well in all 3 games. Aussies to win the 1st game pretty soundly and then end the series 2-0. They are just to well drilled to let these changes get them down and i really don't see anybody competing against them till South Africa later in the year and the ashes in england in 2009.... Posted by b-lazza on May 22 2008, 13:23 PM GMT I am not being unrealistic here I think West Indies have a chance of actually drawing the games and the possibility of winning a game. Our greatest weakness in the past has been the players themselves. Lack of concentration and player chemistry has been the team's downfall. Once they play the game in 15 sessions instead of thinking of 5 days they will be successful. My thought pattern is if they can keep up the focus for these periods and can carry over it will lead to a better understanding of the game. On the comments made of Bravo, sarwan and Chanderpaul's late arrival to the camp I think Dyson decided the best practice was actual playing cricket despite the form of the game and I can only agree with him. Think of it you're playing against the best bowlers of past and present compared with your own team mates, variety is the spice of life. I will not take anything from Australia they have the strongest team in the world but I think the pressure is more on them than the West Indies. Posted by llig on May 22 2008, 13:14 PM GMT i think, West Indies need the good administration and also good guiders, who can teach them about focus and make them realize that they are not lesser than anyone. And if you look at West Indies side then you will find all sort of combinations which is required to be a great team and what they just required is the commitment from the players and associates of West Indies cricket board. for instance, take the case of Royal Challenger in IPL, who seems fantastic line up on the paper before the start of IPL, but they disappointed in the league. so, in sports, one thing surely play a major role, that's 'Approaches'. Posted by criccircuit on May 22 2008, 12:32 PM GMT I think the windies are deluding themselves to think they will put up a good fight. It is a chance for the Australians to improve their already brilliant averages. The Windies need a couple of tall fast bowlers who can administer chin music of yesteryear because I personally believe that this is the Australian weakness. They can not hack balls into their rib cage. This is why the Australians are number 1 because pace attacks around the world are mediocre. Only England 2005 gave them a good game because of their pace attack. Posted by Nibsy on May 22 2008, 09:36 AM GMT A few years ago we thought that Hayden was in his twilight years, he proved us wrong by coming back strong as ever. It makes me sad to hear that the 3 key Windies players missed the boot camp for the IPL. What I'd give to see a Carribean side with the grit and team spirit of yesteryear - even though I am an England supporter! Posted by danmcb on May 22 2008, 08:08 AM GMT i don't rule out a 2:0 or 1:1 score for the series. i do think that we can draw one test match...and maybe even win one...i also think that the weather might influence the results. WI without Marlon- no big deal, I'm personally glad, he was wasting space, and not being able to bowl, he is just that much more useless to the team.I think that the new talent out there will want to make a mark for themselves,and try more; than someone who thinks they have a niche. having said this, forget the scoreline ,just giving a good showing would make me proud. not just that though,i really hope that the boys learn, they are undeniably the number 1 team, they will bring everything to light...both good..and bad. Gayle not playing, not sure if Sarwan is as effective a skipper. let Ryan hinds play in the middle, along with Benn, and play 3 quicks.I think having a long tail is important. THEY MUST GRAB ALL CHANCES THAT C0ME THEIR WAY!...catches, run outs etc Posted by madclown on May 22 2008, 06:34 AM GMT I expect the West Indies-Australia series to have even battles during certain sessions of play, with Australia coming on top. We won't win this series in a cake-walk! It is going to be an interesting 12 months for Australian and West Indian cricket. In reference to Australia, the side is in rebuilding mode for the 2009 Ashes series in the UK. Certain positions have not yet been cemented in my book (Phil Jacques, Michael Clarke and the spin bowling position) and the cricketing public would like to know if Matthew Hayden has passed his used by date!! The West Indian side is in rebuilding mode under CHris Gayle and John Dyson. Will they show patches of improvement to show world cricket that WI cricket is on the way up? Under John Dyson, Sri Lanka took 2 years to become a test cricket and one day force. Tom Moody took over in 2005 and they are a good side. I just wonder if the WI players are quick or slow learners. PAUL Posted by Governor on May 21 2008, 08:28 AM GMT Top ^