4th and Final Test: West Indies v India at QPO

48 - 2

14.4
Ashwin to Bravo, an offspinner drift and turn beats Bravo, already committed into a

defensive shot, doesn't account for the ball that spins past his bat face to hit off stump !! 

Disappointed Joseph was left out. Bravo's poor run of form continues. Not sure what Leon was thinking?

The forecast yesterday showed the chance of thunderstorms across 3 of the days play. Perhaps still a chance of WI eeking out a draw and denying India top spot.

I can see the logic for Spin and Swing friendly QPO :

gives a chance for both Chase an offie and Bishoo the leggie !

Gabe at home, Cummins in form and Holder will have to handle the new Cherry.

Interestingly, over the last 5 years, fast bowlers have had more success at QPO.

Pace bowlers at QPO last 5 years: 38 wickets at an average of 27.78 and strike-rate of 59.8
Spinners at QPO last 5 years: 24 wickets at an average of 34.54 and strike-rate of 82.9.

Spinners have fared much worse bowling in the 3rd & 4th inns over last 10 years: 20 wickets at an average of 35.80 and strike-rate of 83.3, as compared to fast bowlers taking 40 wickets at an average of 29.87 and a strike-rate of 53.2.

What was the ratio or aggregate of overs bowled.

Fast bowlers are always handed the ball.

We have had minimal Ws here at QPO.

BUT hosted the Most TEST in the Caribbean.

Ami has 66 wickets here  ?

In 3rd & 4th inns over last 10 years - spinners have bowled 274.2 overs. Fast bowlers 354 overs. So pacers have taken double the amount of wickets in just 80 more overs. Fast bowlers strike-rate is much lower (59.8 vs 82.9).

Spinners have fared worse in the 3rd & 4th inns at QPO over last 10 years in comparison to the collective average by spinners in 3rd & 4th inns across all grounds over this period (31.79 ave and strike-rate of 64.3).

Fast bowlers collective average in 3rd & 4th inns across all grounds over this period is 30.85 with a strike-rate of 58.8. So fast bowlers have fared better at QPO than the collective average.

It looks as though VK and India looked at the stats and determined that playing the extra spinner (Jadeja) wasn't really beneficial. WI obviously thought otherwise.

Top 15 all-time Leading wicket takers at QPO:

Darn, Lance Gibbs bowled 790 overs here

Inshan Ali and Ambi is close enough but Wickets are less than half !

Overall numbers at QPO:
Pacers: 11545.5 overs bowled, 1136 wickets at an average of 27.35 and strike-rate of 69.9.
Spinners: 9046.2 overs bowled, 611 wickets at an average of 36.64 and strike-rate of 88.8.