West Indies vs. New Zealand (2 T20Is, 5 ODIs, 2 Tests)

[Doss]

Their first Test win over NZ since 1996. Which was, amazingly enough, the longest they had gone without victory against anyone (though admittedly the two hardly ever play each other).

 

[Pera]

Roach is having a ripping year.

 

[Doss]

Roach is having a ripping year.

34 wickets in 6 tests at 22.18 this year. Very good figures. Not surprising though, he showed on his tour here in 2009/10 that he has heaps of potential.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

First Test since 2002 where the Windies have had two opening partnerships of 50+.

Gayle batted the first 6 overs of the second innings without a box.

 

[Pera]

34 wickets in 6 tests at 22.18 this year. Very good figures. Not surprising though, he showed on his tour here in 2009/10 that he has heaps of potential.

Even more phenomenal considering the shit pitches and conditions fast bowlers have to deal with in the Caribbean.

 

[ioppolo]

Vettori ruled out of the next test.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

The knives are definetely out for Vettori as well at the moment

He'll be back to carve at the World T20.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Martin dropped! Watling, Southee and Boult in for NZ. Nethula must really have bowled some absolute crap in the warm-up match in order to miss out with no Vettori.

TINOOO in for the Windies. Sammy wins the toss and bowls. Plenty of moisture in the pitch by the looks of it.

 

[Pera]

Vettori should stick to limited overs cricket. Has been largely ineffectual for a while with the ball. Could play as a batsman but would need to make a heap more runs than he does now to keep a spot.

 

[Tassieboy]

Vettori's economy, however, is still effective. He was the one player who pulled Gayle back in Antigua. Although he didn't stop him...

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Fascinating match shaping up here. Already into the 3rd innings, stumps day two NZ are effectively 2/110 after taking a 50 run lead on first innings. Marlon Samuels 123 the only real contributor for WI. Gayle looked all at sea for some reason for his 8 off 50-something. Deonarine removed Guptill and Watling very late in the day to get the Windies back in it. 2/55 second dig.

 

[Tassieboy]

Gayle is cricket's biggest troll - 8 from 55 balls.

 

[Lethal44]

71 runs required with 6 wickets in hand, bring it home Shiv and well done to Marlon Samuels, great game.

 

[ioppolo]

Very fascinating day of cricket coming up. Wouldn't put it past the Windies to implode.

 

[Pera]

Marlon Samuels should have been playing like this 7 years ago.

Since that 2nd test against England, he has really blossomed as a middle order batsman.

 

[Doss]

WI did it easily in the end. They lost Roach with 23 needed, but had no problems other than that.

WI win by 5 wickets and win the series 2-0. Pretty disastrous tour for NZ really, smashed in all three formats.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

MOTS for Roach, and well deserved. There was no help in the pitches for him at all, and still managed to find some seam movement and enough bounce to hurry up the NZers. Just cut out the no-balls!

NZ are off to India next for 2 Tests and 2 T20Is. Could get ugly. NZ might continue playing for four seamers as well which might be a first in India by a visiting side. Although Simon Doull last night was advocating the selection of Bruce Martin, left-arm orthodox from Auckland. Surely not considering Nethula has just been given a central contract. Can Flynn or someone please regain fitness so Watlling can take the gloves again???

 

[Doss]

Roach has 39 wickets in 7 Tests this year at about 22.5. His career stats are now 82 wickets in 21 tests at 27.5, and that average has been dropping all year.

Make no mistake, this guy can bowl. He has a nice, simple action, is fast and moves the ball off the pitch, and because of his height, can really bowl the awkward 'skiddy' bouncer with aplomb. In my opinion, he has the potential to be their best pacemean since the Ambrose/Walsh days. Now just to fix his no-ball problem.

He could also do with more swing, but the signs for Roach are good.