India vs West Indies,1st Test,Match thread

[Karthik]

The first test between India and West Indies begins on 2nd June at Antigua.

The Windies would be extremely confident after their 4-1 ODI series victory.

[mudney]

I think they have the potential to win this series. They will have problems bowling out India if their batsman fire. Sehwag could do with some runs, and they got guys like Laxman and the incomparable Dravid so they will be a tough proposition.

However, I believe that with the home crowd roaring them on, and a bit of luck here and there, and some top performances from the batsman, they could sneak this series, which would be a great boost for the future competition of international cricket.

[ajsaw]

This game is shaping up to be a competition between the batsmen. There are a number of class batsmen in both teams.

The bowling on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. India have the only real world class bowler in Kumble.

If the batsmen play to their potential then it is hard to imagine the bowlers from either side bowling the opposition out twice.

[Wanderer]

India won the toss and elected to bat (no surprise there).

India: Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, VVS Laxman, M Kaif, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel ( Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan misses out)

Windies: Chris Gayle, Darren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Ian Bradshaw, Dave Mohammed, Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore.

Pre-test talks suggest to expect a high scoring match, with little assistance for the quicker bowlers.

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

Pre-test talks suggest to expect a high scoring match, with little assistance for the quicker bowlers.

Nothing new there then, the recreation ground has never offers anything much to the fast bowlers. Certainly a batsman's paradise for most of the match and you I would rate the chance of seeing a double hundred quite high.

The selection of Dave Mohammed for the West Indies certainly shows they have faith in him to take wickets. Last year the West Indies were going into games with a front line bowling attack of only pace bowlers which gave for little variation. Hopefully for the West Indies Dave Mohammed can work some magic.

You missed off VR Singh as a selection for India, only going into the game with one slow bowler either means Yuvraj Singh will be getting the ball more often or India are putting their faith in pace.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Vrock

You missed off VR Singh as a selection for India, only going into the game with one slow bowler either means Yuvraj Singh will be getting the ball more often or India are putting their faith in pace.

Eish! How could I miss the test debutant!? ...Well either the Indians are putting faith in pace, or maybe they've lost faith in Harbhajan.

And Fidel Edwards gets Jaffer in his second over,gone for 1. India 10/1.

[Vrock]

A good early wicket for the West Indians but I think would have preferred to get Sehwag out as early as possible.

If they have lost faith in Harbhajan and gone for the extra pace bowler on a wicket which fast bowlers should struggle on then they must have lost a fair amount of faith in him.

And Pathan missing out, damage limitation to his confidence?

[Wanderer]

Well, Greg did say Pathan is low on confidence...I just don't know how a player gets his confidence back carrying drinks...

Sehwag batting at better than a run-a-ball again. Already 6 fours in his 28*. But I'd like to agree with a comment Sir Viv made a day or so ago...India needs him to score big, and therefor he must learn to plan his innings.

[greg]

No real surprise to see Pathan dropped as there looks to be other better options in the pace attack at present.I am sure he will return some time in the future a better bowler for the break.

Sehwag batting the only way he knows,currently on 35 off 28 balls.

[Vrock]

Yes, Sehwag rocketing along at the moment, and it doesn't help that Ian Bradshaw so far has been straying down the legside so much.

The West Indian bowlers failure in test matches, going at more than five an over.

Sehwag is going at the ball hard, he punishing poor bowling in the main but edges have been found and luck has gone his way.