Final: West Indies vs England at Kolkata (discussion)

England's first 2 games were at Wankhede. This is a big batting track. England made 182 and 230 there.

Kolkata, where the Final is taking place, is slow and usually gives lower scores. But people said that about Delhi and England made about 170 there.

On paper, England's batting line up is better than Indias. They open with Roy and Hayles. Roy's been getting better as the tournament progresses and Hayles has done nothing but crap so is probably due one good innings.

Then you have Root, a modern great in the Kohli mould. If you somehow manage to knock these guys out cheaply, you then have Buttler, Morgan, Stokes and Ali, all decent and all capable of mad slogging.

West Indies' main problem is that nobody's been consistent with the bat. Gayle turned up for one game then disappeared. Marlon likewise has only played one semi-decent game. Fletcher turned up big-time for one game but then got injured and kicked off the team. Charles has had 1 decent game (on a batting paradise). Ramdin, Sammy and Bravo have done nothing with the bat. Andre has been the most consistent, with 2 good games.

Of course in T20s you really only need one batsman to turn up. It's probably why the format suits the West Indies. Iconsistency hurts you less in T20s.

On the flip-side, consistently playing in T20 leagues is why WI batsmen manage to be good at the format whilst sucking in Tests and ODIs. The WICB outsourced the training of its T20 batsmen to foreign leagues. As a result, we won the 2012 WC, would have reached the 2014 finals had it not been for a rain-out, and we're now in the 2016 finals. Practise makes perfect. If we played more high quality test and odi games we would produce better test and odi players.

Incidentally, I thought Sammy's bowling changes during the India game were terrible. At Kolkata he needs to utilize Gayle much more. I would bowl Badree (x4), Benn (x4), Bravo (x4), Gayle (x3), Sammy (x1), Andre (x2), Carlos (x2).

I am a bit disappointed with Halo but pleased, bar the one game when Vince came in, he has been retained in the team.

West Indies got to the final as someone has always stepped up and that is what it is all about.

The young England team, compared to the Windies, have continually grown stronger and that bodes well. My only concern with our approach is that although I think we should play freely, when conditions dictate we should be a bit more measured.

It would be a shame if Eden Garden is the traditional low scoring venue for this showcase final but most pitches have played ok thus far.

West Indies always seems better at chasing and until our bowlers clicked we too wanted to chase but I think the Lankan game would have given the squad confidence in defending a total.

Jordan and Stokes have both improved bowling at the death so this should be a good final.

Do you think all the sourpuss Indians would not turn up at the final? Ha ha ha.....

Analysis Paralysis !

Johnson Charles was forced to peak with a a 19 - 2 scoreline.

I can see him repeating on a slow track.


The rest should have all played in Kolkata

Whom are KKR  players on our Squad    ??

wait ...wait ...only dre Rus and Sunil    :-\

www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-leag...nt/squad/832937.html

Jason Holder??

Bought for this summer IPL : you cant have him playing and he have to live there 

www.cricketcountry.com/news/ipl-2016-auc...knight-riders-395217

Beside he has been warming the Bench , entire campaign !

Sammy


don't believe in him

Ramdin and that botched Kohli run out : repeated of course by BraBits

should they sit as a penalty ?

Their Bats were NOT even needed .

Samuels cannot Bowl by ICC ruling

This is KKR  Dre Russ Home ground....he gets the (x4)

Nah ........ but I couldn't believe them both missing from so close by 'a coat of paint' !!!!