3rd ODI: West Indies v South Africa

[Occasional Fan]

Starts today in Bridgetown, Barbados, at 1435 BST (1335 GMT). A chance here for South Africa to take the series, which they currently lead 2-0. Your comments here, please.

[Richard Jenkins]

I find it really difficult to judge the status of one day sides. After the ICC cup in England last year , which the West Indies won, I thought that South Africa looked jaded and unlikely to threaten the West Indies for this series. However i thoght that home advantage would play a role. I thought Chanderpaul as captain was a really good idea, but now I'm not so sure. The West Indies side has had a long time without international cricket and I suppose it shows!

Ridley Jacobs slammed Lara for being selfish, Hinds got fined for agressive behaviour and has been dropped for the 3rd ODI and Runako Morton is back in unless his grandma dies (again)

squads
West Indies squad Shivnarine Chanderpaul (capt), Chris Gayle, Xavier Marshall, Runako Morton, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Courtney Browne (wk), Corey Collymore, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Ian Bradshaw.

South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith, 2 Boeta Dippenaar, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 Herschelle Gibbs, 5 Justin Ontong, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Justin Kemp, 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Charl Langeveldt, 10 Andre Nel, 11 Makhaya Ntini.

Fidel Edwards wasn't even in the original squad listing and I pm'ed all my fantasy players saying 'do you want to change him' and now it looks like he'll play after all. next time i'll do the changes after the series. A click here shows an ever changing squad http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2..._WI-SQUAD.html

None of the WI bankers have really fired in the ODI contests so far, perhaps this will change now?
My prediction...
South Africa to win by 5 wickets.

[Teatime FatCat]

Why did Runako lie about his grandmother in the first place? Does anyone know the story?

[Richard Jenkins]

His career took a nose dive when he pulled out of the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka after lying about the death of his grandmother. His career has been rather blighted with unfortunate incidents.
In 2001 he was expelled from the WI academy
in 2002/3 he was suspended for a year from the leeward island training squad after telling fibs about his grandmother and recieved an unfavourable medical report from the clinical psychologist.( i kid you not)
In 2004 he was arrested for stabbing his cousin allegedly. he recieved a reprimand.

he has only playes a few ODI's? Two i think?

If i remember correctly there was another cricketer involved in the 'grandma' incident but his name escapes me. I think the plan was to avoid a 'meaningless' match but i can't be sure. searching now

[Teatime FatCat]

Yes two games, and I think has scored a grand total of 19 runs. That coupled with his obvious clean disciplinary record and good team ethic makes him a sensible and natural selection for this Windies side.

[Richard Jenkins]

I still don't know why he told the story about his grandmother and can't find other cricketers involved, although at the same time Tino Best and Sulieman Benn were also reprimanded .
http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/conte...ry/121055.html

[Paoli]

I think Runako has a few problems...

[Zainub]

Few? That's a good understatement me thinks. Anyway West Indies have got lots of problems, they're batting needs to fire, the big names, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Lara and Gayle - these guys need to get some serious runs. Othewise this series is history.

[John]

SA look set to dominate. The WI have lost faith in their capitain. Their batsmen know their bowlers are going to let them down they don't know what a good score will be with their bowling attack.

[Ninjaman]

The WI have lost faith in their capitain.

Technically, you can't lose what you never really had.