Windies are touring Australia, it forms the 1st half of the Aussie summer who host Pakistan as the 2nd team later this year..
Date and Time in IST | Game | Venue |
| NOV 18-21 26 Nov – 30 Nov | Tour match vs Queensland 1st Test – | |
| 4 Dec – 8 Dec | 2nd Test – | |
| 16 Dec –20 Dec Feb 4 04:30 IST | 3rd Test – Prime Minister's XI v West Indians | Manuka Oval, Canberra |
| Sun 7 Feb (D/N) | 1st ODI – | |
| Tue 9 Feb (D/N) | 2nd ODI – | SCG |
| Fri 12 Feb (D/N) | 3rd ODI – | |
| Sun 14 Feb (D/N) | 4th ODI – | |
| Fri 19 Feb (D/N) | 5th ODI – | |
| Sun 21 Feb | 1st T20I – | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
| Tue 23 Feb (D/N) | 2nd T20I – | SCG |
The West Indians ended a difficult tour game on a high when they fought to secure a draw with a committed batting display against Queensland..
Windies were bowled out cheaply for 271. Many were playing their first match in Australia and it can be tough.. The bowling was below par, missing the likes of Jerome Taylor and Darren Powell.. Conceded 617,.. 2nd innings was better though..
With Chris Gayle a major doubt due to his mother's illness in Jamaica, Sarwan and Chanderpaul are likely to have more responsibility and it was the experienced pair who guided the side for much of the day during a 131-run stand..
Sarwan and Chanderpaul scored well in both the innings.. The one who came good was the teen aged Adrian
Barath.. He impressed all with his exploits in the Champions League recently concluded in India where his team Trinidad n Tobago had a dream run.. In the absence of the captain,Gayle, Travis Dowlin was Barath's partner against Queensland. It is an unfamiliar position for him. He went in No.3 in his two Tests against Bangladesh but his usual slot for Guyana is No.5.
In the 2nd innings, Narsingh Deonaraine was tried out at no.3.. Travis Dowlin played well for his 50..
The real test would be how well the bowlers cope up.. In the past, recent past, they had the likes of Walsh who was economical.. If these bowlers who have no experience at the international level keep leaking runs, then there would be no pressure on the world no.4..
Even though Australia are at no.4 in ICC test rankings, they are sure to dominate the proceedings throughout the series..
Windies will do well to at-least draw a match, that would be the biggest upset..
TEAM :
Australia: Watson, Katich, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, North, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle, Bollinger, Hauritz, Hilfenhaus ..
Clarke is back and so is Haddin.. The toss would be in having a 4th seamer or a spinner.. Watson can be the 4th seamer so having Hauritz would be a good option.. Hilfenhaus may make way for Bollinger who had a great tour of India..
West Indies: Gayle, Dowlin, Barath, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Deonaraine, Dwyane Bravo, Dinesh Ramdin, Brendon Nash, Sulieman Benn, Ravi Rampual, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor, Darren Sammy, Gavin Tonge..
Gayle has gone back home to be with his ill mother.. Sarwan and Chanderpaul are the only batting hopes.. Barath and Dowlin have to perform well and so should Nash.. Bravo will be useful with his bowling and experience, he has to be cautious in batting and not throw his wicket away.. He will be vulnerable in playing off the front foot..
Bowling is thin, Taylor is sore.. He is the lone bowler with considerable international experience.. Rampaul, Roach will probably form the back up.. Not expecting great performances from them.. Benn is a fast slow bowler, if that makes any sense.. I have never seen his turn the ball.. Sammy is too military medium to find a place in the side with bowling as criteria..
Leather hunt if windies bowl and quick wickets if they bat..
If they show the same fighting spirits as they did in the 2nd innings of the tour match, it would do the test matches a world of good.. Otherwise, test match's future and two tier system for tests will again crop up..
Biggest upset would be if a test is drawn, with no stoppage from weather..
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