WI v ENGLAND IN ENGLAND

[Arnik]

WI and England have played 80 tests in England and it is just about dead even.

WI won 29
England won 30
Drawn 21

From 1969 to 1991 it was all Windies - 21 years!!

From June 2000 it has been all England who have won 12, with 2 drawn.

[Rush]

From June 2000 it has been all England who have won 12, with 2 drawn.

The 40/30 test predictor has some bad news for Windies fans----most likely 4 40/30 WI players will be competing against 9 40/30 English players---team comparison----there is a 95 percent probability England will sweep the 3 test series----only inclement weather will result in a drawn test.

Rush

[Arnik]

----there is a 95 percent probability England will sweep the 3 test series----only inclement weather will result in a drawn test.

I think that is what most people expect given where England are and the quality of their batsmen and bowlers and the fact that they are playing at home.

There is added incentive for the English players because everyone sees the clash with South Africa later in the summer as a test championship and the English players will be very keen to do well against the Windies so that they play against SA.

Competition for the fast bowling places will be fierce since Broad is back from injury and Finn is keen to keep his place.

[mikesiva]

Here's an even more crucial statistic....

When is the last time that England lost a Test match that was played entirely in May to anyone?

Any guesses?

[Arnik]

Here's an even more crucial statistic....

When is the last time that England lost a Test match that was played entirely in May to anyone?

Any guesses?

OK you used the word "entirely" so the answer would be 0.

But you know England has lost 2 tests started in May

[mikesiva]

Here's an even more crucial statistic....

When is the last time that England lost a Test match that was played entirely in May to anyone?

Any guesses?

OK you used the word "entirely" so the answer would be 0.

But you know England has lost 2 tests started in May

[BallOil]

The West Indies Squad departs the Caribbean tomorrow, May 2nd,

[Rush]

The last time the West Indies played a test series in England was in 2009----they played 2 tests and were mauled by the Pommies. Going into that series West Indies captain Chris Gasyle was upset he had to leave his lucrative IPL contract to play test cricket in England. Infact, Gayle made it crystal clear that he wished test cricket would die. Gayle's negativity and nonchalance infected the team and they played appropriately---there was no fight in them.

RE: THE 2012 SERIES

Only inclement weather will prevent the WI from being swept.

A 3-0 TEST DEFEAT MAY MEAN THE END OF GIBSON'S TENURE AS COACH.

That would be great---let's all root for a WI 3-0 defeat in tests.

Rush

[mikesiva]

I don't think it's fair to say that the team was negative solely because of Gayle....

I was here in England when that series took place, and it was clear to me that none of the players wanted to be there.

Also, the Guardian journalist twisted Gayle's words to make him say something different from what he really said. The journalist asked Gayle if he would be sad if Test cricket died because of T20 cricket, and he said "No"....

Would I be sad if Test cricket died because of T20 cricket? No, I wouldn't....But does that mean I hate Test cricket? Absolutely not!

Interestingly, from that squad which last toured England, only Fidel, Shiv and Ramdin remain. Sammy had experience of playing in England on a previous tour, I believe....

What this does mean, though, is that this tour is going to be a serious eye-opener for some of the less experienced players!

[Rush]

I don't think it's fair to say that the team was negative solely because of Gayle....I was here in England when that series took place, and it was clear to me that none of the players wanted to be there.

Well, that tour was, indeed, forced on the players by the WICB----and the truth is Gayle was upset he had to leave his lucrative IPL contract to join the team---infact, he arrived late.

A FISH ROTS FROM THE HEAD.

And Gayle's stinking attitude was appalling.

Rush