In the Test arena, just about every match involving the Calypso Kids has resulted in a loss from positions of dominance, most recently displayed during the tour of England. But why? There is no doubting that West Indies cricket is far from the ferocious force that dominated the world stage for two decades. West Indies cricket seems to have lost passion, direction and identity. Unlike the calypso teams of the 70s and 80s, there seems to be a distinct lack of a burning desire to win in contemporary players. Everyone remembers how aggressive West Indian teams used to be, losing was not an option. Whether inspired by the end of a Jamaican blunt, in the lyrics of Bob Marley, or the aggressive style of cricket instilled in the team by the charismatic Clive Lloyd, the West Indies cricket put together a team of champions  unrivaled in world  cricket.

A great documentary about the era is Fire in Bablyon (below).

 Bring it forward to 2012, the last decade has not been easy.

Since the retirement of greats such as Curly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Brian Lara, Windies Indies cricket has lost its spark. Not for lack of talent, internal politics has at times intervened. The well publicised spat between the Calypso Crippler Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board drew a line between an international players’ commitment to national duties, and a mercenaries lust for money. Since Gayles’ departure there has been little stability at the top of the order with an endless procession of promising first class talent either not cut out for the pressure of international cricket, or lacking discipline to take their game to the next level. Senior players such as the rock-solid Shivnarine Chanderpaul have shouldered this extra responsibility with honour, but at times allowed the poor performances of West Indies cricket to go under the radar.

Let me put it to you this way, if the West Indies had their shit together there is no reason why they couldn’t be the 5th ranked Test team in the world after England, South Africa, Australia and India. On their day, they could beat any team in the world.

Here is my synopsis of the State of Play in West Indian cricket, starting at the top with captain Darren Sammy.

Darren Sammy – “The Godfather”

Is Darren Sammy unbalancing West Indies cricket?

Sammy is the sort of guy you would love to have at your local cricket club. He is tall, honest, well spoken and hits the spot 9 times out of 10 without bumping up insurance premiums. I really like Sammy, everyone does. But not everyone is convinced that the perennial best clubman makes the cut in the West Indies Test first eleven. For lack of better options, he qualifies. A full strength West Indies cricket side may think better of it.

Chris Gayle – “The Predator”

Chris Gayle is quite possibly from another planet. He regularly sends cricket balls back to the mother ship.

So I am getting ahead of myself a bit here, Chris Gayle is NOT in the Test team as yet – but will be soon *touch wood*. Gayle is no doubt a mutant, super-freak from planet Magic Puff, sent to earth with a mission to dispatch as many cricket balls back into orbit as possible. The Predator, also known as the Calypso Crippler, would not be out of place with a necklace of shrunken bowler’s heads adorning his massive frame. If he wasn’t so busy signing deals with world power brokers at the IPL, his place in the West Indian top order could make all the difference to a batting line up which relies too much on the likes of Chanderpaul.

Sunil Narine – “The Riddler”

With a bag full of tricks Sunil Narine is one of the hottest bowlers in the 2012 Indian Premier League.

Not since Ajantha Mendis stormed onto the scene against India has there been so much talk about an off-spinner. What looks like a rather unassuming bowling action  is the ideal foil for an arsenal of variations which have left the most experienced international batsmen reeling like Rex Hunt in a red light district. It is unlikely we will see Narine in the Test squad any time soon, according to some pundits, if ever. With the lure of a limited overs Boon-anza each year and relative  inexperience at first-class level, there is little need for Sunil to plough away his trade during 5 day scorchers.

Here’s a bo-peep if you haven’t seen him already.

To be continued….

To come…

Shivnarine Chanderpaul – How long can he keep going?

Kieron Pollard – Too cool for the international school?

Andre Russell –  Star in the making.

Dwayne Bravo – The forgotten Bravo has plenty left to offer.

———

Shane Watson’s Down Under Odyssey

Read to the melody of Men at Work’s “Land Down Under”

———

Travellin’ in the fired up Windies,

On a cricket tour, head full of Pommies.

I had a strange captain, his name was Clarky,

He took me aside during breakfast.

And he said…

“ Do you mind batting a bit Down Under?

Where Ponting’s glow was a natural wonder?

Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the Warner?

He’s smashing the ball to every corner! “

………

I’m bred from a man in Ipswitch!

Where life can sometimes be a real bitch.

I said on this occasion I am willing to switch,

As long as I don’t end up as the next Mitch.

And he said….

“ Well now you are batting Down Under,

Where runs are easy as pie to plunder.

Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the Warner?

He’s smashing the ball to every corner!

Yeaa-aaah…“

—-  Musical Interlude as the Tour unfolds..   —-

Lying naked, dead in Babylon,

With a slack jaw, thanks to Sammy.

I said to Clarky are you trying to ruin me?

As for wickets and runs – I don’t have many!

And he said….

“ Now you see what its like batting Down Under,

Where spinners toil and batsmen flounder!

Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the Warner?

Guess not, he hasn’t made a score either.

You better get used to batting Down Under,

You better run, you better start to plunder… “

…..
…
.

Rest in Peace Greg Ham

Here is a video of Shane Watson batting up the order and in his best form. For more information about Shane Watson batting and his recent form check out this!

The biggest draw card in this Big Bash series is undoubtedly Shane Warne.

Warney will rise to the occasion during the 2011 Big Bash!

The home town favorite turn tabloid king may think better of a career in cooking. A mishap flipping bacon caused The King of Spin to sear his bowling fingers just a week out from the Star’s Big Bash opener against Adelaide. Warney’s position in the team may not be as crucial for his bowling, as the confidence it will give the other players. I have always considered Shane to be one of the best tactical captains, and astute mentors in the game.

"Shane Warne hasn't had a good flipper for years."

Matthew Hayden is an interesting one. Haydo looked scratchy 2 years ago, and unlike Warne will have to rely heavily on his eye and reflexes. Will he bring out the Mongoose this time around? I hope so, it’s good for a laugh for Big Bash fans, even though it may be less than effective.

"Let me spank you real good."

The Big Bash may never soar to the heights of the Indian Premier League, but the new tournament has certainly captured the imagination of the general public. The advertising campaign has been slick – by cricketing standards – with urban centric themes and cross-city rivalries present in much of the marketing material so far. It is a good starting point for a relatively new idea. Previously state rivalries have often failed to capture the imagination of the largely urban dwelling legion of fans, but you would expect a city based competition may garner a little more localised support.

I like the branding of the Melbourne teams. Anyone who has lived, traveled or read about Melbourne would know the city is quite divided in terms of social affiliation and cliche; the Stars and Renegades define this separation perfectly.

The Melbourne Stars are the team appealing to gossip column fashionistas, stay at home Dad’s, frequenters of the Jam Factory gelati store, bogan Australians, young people who have no idea about cricket and Eddie McGuire. The Renegades on the other hand appeal to a vastly different set of Big Bash fanfare. Whether you are a drug afflicted ex prisoner walking the line, part of the hip and ‘alternative’ crowd, a punk rocker who likes to cut himself, or Pakistani national who frequents shisha bars along Sydney Road; this team has you sold.

Melbourne Renegades (6.2 Betfair, 5.5 SportsBet)

Colour: Red
Captain: Andrew McDonald
Home Ground: Etihad Stadium
Overseas Players: Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq (both Pakistan)

My pick of the tournament. Shahid Afridi, need I say more. Don’t even bother about his batting, Afridi is a proven match winner with the ball in 20-20. A variation of pace, top-spin and skid has allowed the one they call Boom-Boom to retain his place with the national team on bowling alone, yet on his day can still be the most destructive of batsmen. The biggest worry for the Renegades has to be Shaun Tait. Yes, the big man is lightning, but he also leaks runs at an economy over 7.0 in the shorter format. It is crucial Tait has his radar on for the duration of the Big Bash as one expensive spell could end the Renegade’s tournaments. The suprise packet for mine is Glenn Maxwell, who can score quickly and also bowl tidily. With Brad Hodge back in the team they are surely the team to beat.

Melbourne Stars (6.8 Betfair, 5.5 SportsBet)

Colour: Green
Captain: Cameron White
Home Ground: MCG
Overseas Players: Luke Wright and Jade Dernbach (both England)

Whilst Shane Warne attracts the media scrum, you would expect quasi-fringe national players such as David Hussey and Cameron White to use this format as a stepping stone back into contention. Adam Voges will play an important Bevan-esque role in the lower middle order, having to either consolidate an innings or press home the advantage in the post 10 over period. The pace bowling department seems OK, without being brilliant. Jade Dernbach has an arsenal of variations, but is he a one trick pony? India worked him over during the ODI series, it may be a matter of time before other teams start to pick him off. A solid all round team, with a couple of match winners, brilliant captain and a glorious home ground. I expect them to make the semi-finals.

Most runs for series:    Aaron Finch (Renegades).

Most wickets for series:    Shahid Afridi (Renegades).

Will be putting a further update up tonight, covering all teams in the Big Bash League.

Peace in cricket and Godspeed.

Have you ever been to The Vic in Richmond to watch the last session of Test Match cricket during sundown? If not, you are missing something really special. The Punter Ponting – my man, the fighter, junk-yard dog, street brawler, captain of Australia, the great one. I had a feeling that Ricky was due for a big one. Anyone who has followed me in past posts may think I have something against Punter, I don’t. Ricky for me has always been special. He is a fallible human, flawed in technique and personality, much like myself. My heart filled with pride watching Ricky bat out the afternoon session like a true Test Match cricket professional. Congratulations Punter!

Ok, enough of that.

Let’s review the card for today.

Let’s keep this short and simple. Vettori batted like a champ until a brain explosion, calling for a very short single on 96 – chaos in a Test Match cricket environment. I don’t know what got into Dan the Man, the innings as a whole was as cool as you would like, ala’ Fonze. At this stage the Black Caps had the Aussies on the ropes, stifling their opposition in the Gabba bout with a mixture of combination uppercuts and low-blows to the gully region. There was no need for the single.

Young and Bracewell’s stay at the crease lacked conviction. The lack of big game experience shone through, hopefully a better showing in the next dig.

I expect more with the bat from Southee, especially in a Test Match cricket situation, with a partner edging towards a major milestone. The loft to mid-on ill-planned, more akin to a John Daly approach shot on a water hazardous par 4. Pull ya head in Tim.

Chris Martin, the many with the most ducks in Test Match cricket was funny.

So the Kiwis were bowled out for 295, not bad but 300 would have looked a shite load better on paper.

The Aussies came out to bat, hence the card (thanks CricInfo, you guys are ma boys).

Dave Warner was very unlucky, poor chap. Like a Looney Tunes character Warner’s eyes rolled with dollar bills at the first sight of a short one. Two problems – it was well directed at the body, and Southee bowls a ball as heavy at Fred Flinstone’s favoured cut of steak. If Southee were to start his own Southee Steak franchine, Phil Hughes would definitely be the butcher. What a hack, enough said.

I really like Khawaja, or as I call him Aussie Koala. Uzzie is a special batsmen, a mainstay in the Test Match cricket lineup. If I met him in the supermarket I would shake his hand and offer to carry the groceries. A ton is not too far Uzzie, you are a champ, just believe.

Punter Ponting, aside from running out Khawaja showed steely resolve for much of his innings. Good to see Punter swallow a bit of the pride and leave some balls on merit – Ricky wouldn’t have batted like this 12 months ago. Really happy for you Punter, you are a true legend and deserve to get a bag of runs this summer. Hope you get to triple figures tomorrow, really do.

Peace.

See you tomorrow.

Scorecard Courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo.

Anyone who watched the first two sessions of the Test Match will tell you the Black Cap dismissals were piss poor at best. After starting out in a blaze on a pitch which offered something for the bowlers early, a clear lack of patience brought about the undoing of New Zealand’s top order. Whether or not it was a pre-game plan to unsettle the young Australians, there really was no excuse for an array of shots better placed in a 20-20 or one day match. This is Test Match cricket after all.

After putting on 40 runs without losing a wicket Guptill and McCullum looked to have seen off the hardest morning conditions. Whilst McCullum flashed at full swinging deliveries from Pattinson and Siddle, Guptill looked the linchpin of the opening pair until he was drawn into flailing at a seaming Siddle delivery and edging through to Haddin.

McCullum followed soon after, an unforgivable attempt at a square cut under the circumstances – a shot selection better left for that one month in India. Ok, I understand that McCullum plays one way like Charlie Sheen – Go! - but that is no reason to launch into the first day of a Test series like he’s been banging 7 gram rocks in the hotel room prior to play.

It came as no surprise that at 2/56 the situation may not have been perfectly tailored to Ross Taylor’s game – pardon the pun. I like the big Kiwi, but the situation required more from the Captain and he failed to protect his wicket, playing on a half volley with eyes as wide as a saucepan.

Jesse Ryder, well what can you expect. I thought he threw out the bong 12 months ago? I guess not.

Australia still on top, but  a captain’s knock by Vettori has kept New Zealand’s total respectable.

Peace in Cricket and Godspeed. Viva los’ Test Match cricket.

It’s overcast in Brisbane, the pitch has a tinge of green. May not be the worst toss to lose for Australia – The overhead conditions and early pace could make batting difficult for the New Zealanders, it is crucial they do not lose more than 2 wickets in this first session. Australia will also be happy to field and give their debutants a chance to get into the game.

Let’s get ready for a very interesting first session of cricket, hopefully better than the Michael Clarke toss record…

Can’t you just feel the inertia pulling you toward the couch for two months of sizzling sausages, stupidity and senseless commentary banter? We are spoiled for choice as cricket lovers this Summer.

To begin,  we can expect one of the closest tussles between the Aussies and our neighbours across the ditch in at least as long as two decades. Following that we have an epic month of cricket against the emerging behemoths India, in what will certainly be the last series of Test match cricket between Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and most likely Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. Squeezed in between the Test series we are launching the Big Bash League. Whether you like it or not it’s hard to ignore the lineup of overseas stars such as Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi, along with the comebacks of our very own Shane Warne and Matthew Hayden.

The Gabba Test against New Zealand may not have you salivating like the upcoming Boxing Day match against India, but it is the perfect condiment to whet your appetite and lubricate your innards for the excess cricket saturation to follow.

Let’s be honest, both teams have been less than convincing in recent years. Australia, having slumped to fourth in the Test Rankings are in no position to take any series lightly. New Zealand on the other hand have languished to a lowly eighth, and not having won a Test in Australia for 26 years will be desperate to add some respectability to a Test ranking which fails to be justified by a talented list.

It looks certain Australia will play at least three debutants. Shane Watson’s injury will surely open the door for aggressive opener David Warner whilst James Pattison is expected to share the new ball with Peter Siddle. Michell Starc and Ben Cutting will likely contend for the last bowling position but my preference would be to go with Cutting as home ground experience may assist. In fact, I have never been a great fan of Mitchell Starc, he could well be a doppelganger for Mitchell Johnson if he were to get inked up to the eyeballs.

New Zealand have a similar problem with inexperience. It is the second Test for fast bowler Doug Bracewell and batsmen Reece Young but as the touring team and underdog coming to terms with the pressure of such a huge match will likely hit the home team harder.

My key players for the game include:

David Warner: As noted in a previous article and my own opinion, Warner has the capability to be a top line Test batsmen. Some qualities, whether 20-20, Test or One Day are transferable across formats and David Warner has arguably the best hand eye coordination in the country. Sure, his mindset was not manufactured for Test cricket, but over the last 2 years I have witnessed him tightening up some of the major technical flaws which have kept him out of contention and without a better option it is a good gamble by the selectors.

Peter Siddle: I have rarely given Piddles a break, but he is getting a ‘one Test only’ reprieve (for lack of better options).  The most experienced  member of Australia’s hastily procured line up it is essential for Piddles to administer extreme aggression and pain on the New Zealand batsmen. While the ball is new it is imperative he bowls full to extract some life out of what should be a rather giving Brisbane pitch.

Jesse Ryder: He is an enigmatic match winner who can change the course of a game when set. I am just not convinced a fast bouncy surface suits his game, his majority scores seemed to have been derived from  slow and low sub continental wickets. If the tour game is anything to go by, he is in touch and likes to score fast. If New Zealand is any chance of winning this Test match Ryder needs to make a contribution.

Prediction:

I feel that Australia are way under the odds at 2.0  and New Zealand are a fair shout at 7.0 on Betfair. The major issue is to be the weather, which is expected to affect at least 2 of the 5 days scheduled. On this news the Draw has tightened considerably in from 3.2 to 2.7 over the last twenty four hours.

At this stage I would suggest a Draw is the most likely result, but for those tempted by a bit of value I would be taking a nibble at New Zealand for a bit of fun.

For high batting, I am going to say the Punter Ponting based purely on his love for scoring at the Gabba. Good luck Ricky.

Peace in Cricket and Godspeed. Love Summer.

More importantly, is the David Warner batting style suited to the longer form of the game? Experts, past players and administration sit on either side of the fence.

What is the value of a wicket? Ask an economist and they will tell you it’s the price of three stumps and two bails. Wiser men will tell you attempting to quantify the value of a wicket can be a futile endeavour as every batsmen, series and format of the game can cause stocks to rise and fall violently like a bad day at the ASX.

In the cricketing market, blue chip stocks such as Kallis, Tendulkar and Ponting have maintained a consistent presence on Test Street in recent decades. At the other end of the spectrum the stocks in 20-20 Town have been dominated by players such as Warner, Pollard and Gayle; short term investments capable of fast return.

Until recent times, the Australian Test Selectors have scoured Test Street for the next generation of Australian Test cricketers. Whilst maintaining a solid investment in safe havens such as Ponting and Hussey, start-ups such as Hughes and Khawaja have failed to capitalise on the flow of selection capital. With Test Street almost exhausted of investment, the Argus Review has turned its attention to 20-20 Town.

David Warner’s inclusion in to the Australian squad may be a watershed moment for Australian selection policies. In the past Warner may have grinded years at First Class level before berthing an opportunity at cricket’s Holy Grail; the Test. For a player with batting talent built on a foundation of confidence, faith from selectors may yield an exponential result in the future. Whilst some critics of the inclusion are less than convinced by the David Warner batting mentality, some forget that Matthew Hayden was tarnished by a similar brush many years ago.

This article was written prior to Warner’s team inclusion, Googlie Cricket blog are thrilled to see David Warner batting in Test matches for Australia.

Losing the toss could be a double edged sword. On one hand, Smith was happy to bowl, which on paper seems a good choice at this stage. From the first ball Steyn had it talking and it was inevitable that the Aussies would lose a couple early on. But for South Africa, bowling first means batting last. Already the pitch has shown some signs of inconsistent bounce and slowing, it could be a difficult 5th day pitch to negotiate.

If Shane Watson was a thoroughbred racehorse his record would read something like 30 starts, 2 wins, 15 placings and 3 DNF (did not finish). The local form guide would rate him as an “honest trier with plenty of potential, but one who has failed to convert good runs into wins and has bled on several occassions.”

He would likely be a Godolphin Stable discard, an ex-favourite of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, spared of a brutal slaying by a peasant stablehand and smuggled to the island of Australia in the hull of a dusty Sheep Express. A born sprinter, he would be re-trained  over time by an Outback Jack such as Joe Janiak, taught the art of stamina and patience and sent to the big city in search of Spring Group 1 glory.

All that glitters would not be Gold, however. As Watto’s first start causes an old hip injury to flare up, putting his Spring Carnival campaign in jeopary. Janiak, spurred by a blood oath to rule the world one taxi cab at a time would then seek the advice of Pauline Hanson’s political advisor and set about getting the dream back on track.

On a misty Melbourne morning Janiak goes to work in his cousins garage, converting the boot of a taxi into a mobile chemical labratory capable of producing some of the most potent steroids, anaethetics and pro-biotics known to man; and Ricky Ponting. Luckily, most ingredients are easily purchased over the counter at the local Council Office, yet the smoked collarbone of an orphan infidel and baby teeth of Steve Smith’s first cousin would be harder to extract. A few phonecalls to local racing identities will ensure all is well that ends well; an injection or two later and big Shane is ready to start the following Saturday.

Moving forward, at the barriers in the Cox Plate. Janiak pulls up in his quasi-taxi-mobile-Boost-juicer, giving Shane the last of his remedy. The starter signals and Watson bursts out of the barriers, severely tearing the muscle on his hip flexxer upon sprinting. Hopes dashed, promosing career and dreams of global equine domination all but over.

The story in racing, as in cricket, presents three questions of morality. Was Watson rushed back too soon? Did Waston, being a horse, have any say in the trainers insistence of medicating an early comeback? Should Watson have been saved for a bigger, more important feature race in coming weeks?

I answer Yes to all of the above.

The Shane Watson injury situation has often brought me to the edge of insanity, demonstrated well in this article.