West Indies v. Sth. Africa - Test series.

[Blanch]

Can't wait to see Laura bat against a 2nd rate bowling attack. He should score at least one half century for the tour and rest his laurels there.

**Note, I'm just giving the odd stir...to be taken in a lighthearted manner.

[couragous cloke]

yeeeeeeah funny stuff

[commonwombat]

Hhmm,

Not the news the Windies would have wanted. Realistically to take this series it would require:

1. Lara to be absolutely and consistently on his game and have consistent support from the likes of Chanderpaul and esp the openers. I'm tlking consistent, not just one belter of an innings and then AWOL for the rest of the series.

2. Career best performances from the bowling attack. Dillon is a known and respected quantity and Edwards has looked impressive so far but it is very early days and an immense amount is being asked of him. Drakes is a good solid tradesman. Bank's absence will hurt them as goes variety and will be missed come the third Test at Newlands.

SA's top order is still formidable namely Gibbs, Smith, Kirsten and Kallis. Kirsten's possible absence at Jo-burg MAY be helpful to WI. Smith may be going off the boil after his earlier fireworks but nonetheless these will be v large obstacles for WI to consistently overcome cheaply.

Middle order spots 5-6 are still unsettled. Dippenaar has justifiably been sent back to kindy and/or his mummy. Rudolph has been a fringe player for a while without settling but selection consistency may play it's part. McKenzie is so chronically superstitious to the point of paralysis and is not the player his father was. He is, however, a tough fighter and a good player of the short ball and his inadequacies vs spin should not be highlighted in this series.

The other main batting obstacles come in the forms of Pollock and Boucher at 7 & 8. These guys are contractually obliged to rescue the side regularly and generally they fulfill their job. Pollock has lost pace with the ball recently but his batting has correspondingly taken on a much more responsible tone and for the better. The remainder of the tail is nothing to write home about.

Neither side looks formidable with the ball. On paper, SA looks marginally better. WI's batting shows immense promise but consistent performances have been another matter. Much undoubtedly lies with Lara's performances and what support. SA has less flair but has greater consistency at the top and has consistent steel around 7-8

First Test: Wanderers (Johannesburg) Used to be a very fast bouncy track but played true in bounce. This has became less the case in recent years. Intelligent bowling will be the key and young bowlers should avoid the trap of bowling too short here.

2nd Test: Kingsmead (Durban) Pollock's home track. Generally a very good true batting wicket though there is usually assistance for the bowlers early.

3rd Test: Newlands (Cape Town) SA has historically a poor record here. The wicket can frequently play lower and slower here and turns more than most.

4th Test: Centurion Park (nr Pretoria) a newer ground. Generally a reasonable batting wicket though intelligent pacemen can do well here.

[couragous cloke]

Hmmm.. Nice Post commonwombat, well i tend to agree with you on most things u say there.. i think this is going to be a very close test series, and for sure whoever wins this series will have some serious bragging rights

But... i do get this slight feeling of a complete Whitewash! does anyone else get that feeling? thats the bad thing about following the windies of today, they can fall apart at any moment, and with the couple of injuries we've suffered in the last few days might just trigger it.

Anyway, With Kristen out that could be the door opening just slightly.

[Donny]

Windies draft in paceman
From correspondents in London - Fox Sports
December 11, 2003

WEST INDIES have called up fast bowler Adam Sanford to replace injured all-rounder Omari Banks on their tour of South Africa.

Sanford last represented the West Indies in 2002 against New Zealand and has played seven Tests.

The first of four Tests between South Africa and West Indies starts tomorrow.

[couragous cloke]

oh great