England tour of the West Indies 2019 (3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20s)

[VirgilHilts]

From BBC Sport: England's average partnership in the two Tests in this series is 16.

 

[PhatBoy]

For a series many thought would be instantly forgettable, just two tests in and it already has enough for a book.

That knock from Bravo was super. As Phatboy said, in dry statistical terms it is just a plain old fifty, but it had more guts and determination than most centuries I have seen.

Holder is one of the most noble cricketers of recent times who was given the sort of shit sandwich that, at a young age he could have been forgiven for chucking it in and joining the 20/20 world circus. Finally he gets due reward for such dedication.

And there are no words suitable that can relay my respect for young Joseph.

What an incredible effort from a kid to go out there and play today.

And his wickets were crucial, he broke the game open.

This side has played with so much determination and intelligence. Even in the rare successes we’ve had, those aren’t two qualities that have been inherently visible.

Holder is just f***ing the ****.

 

[swanssince2002]

I will be honest. Its that sort of play that would make the 80s Windies proud.

Then watch England become world beaters against us haha, just like the time they played against India.

 

[sandeano]

Holder is just f***ing the ****.

He has been my favourite player in the world for some time now. Not so much for his cricketing abilities (which are splendid) but for his calm and dignified manner and the way he has pulled that team together under trying circumstances. To see him get that double hundred was one of the great cricketing pleasures of my lifetime.

 

[footyfan1978]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a way to celebrate Poms 300th Test loss.
Well done Jason Holder and your Windies team. Keep it coming.
Best morning of cricket from West Indies since we dethroned them ourselves in 1995.
This is great for Test cricket. I had my doubts they would back up the win in Barbados but they surprised me and won in style.
2-0 and now go on please and make it 3-0

 

[Stopher]

Yep, I recall Holder scoring a century against England the last time they toured in 2015. It ultimately allowed the Windies to hold out for the draw.

His celebration was the thing that struck me- just a couple of firm taps on his Windies shirt logo. It wasn't some Pogba-esque, vain, Instagram-ready show of floggery, but a genuine show of pride and passion.

I guess seeing it from such a young player from a team caught up in the T20 circus (and all the issues it caused with selection etc) really impressed me. It appears I wasn't wrong either.

 

[footyfan1978]

I will be honest. Its that sort of play that would make the 80s Windies proud.

The great Viv was there watching. Jeff Dujon said it is the longest amount of time the Windies have played consistently good cricket for days on end. I worried they would fall back to more recent trends but they can hopefully make this their new habit. Holder and their management finally have a group of players truly working together and playing for each other and West Indies cricket. Been so so long since seen it worried we may never see it again.

 

[Squeaky]

Awesome.
Great result and i would love to see a 3-0 whitewash!!!

 

[footyfan1978]

Brendan Julian rubbing it in to Michael Vaughan. Love it.

 

[Sproj]

Wow just wow. England are receiving a hiding the likes of which haven't been spotted in the windies against seriously good teams for decades. This is great

Calling England a seriously good team is a stretch, they are pretty average to be honest with three stand outs in Root, Anderson and Broad, all of whom are seemingly on their last legs or seriously out of form.

 

[Stopher]

It was highlighted by the commentary on talksport just how ruthless they've been too. Impressive.

 

[footyfan1978]

I hope they bat Bairstow number 3 against us. Would be as dumb a mistake as us opening in Test matches with Finch.
If Poms do not pick wisely the Ashes are coming home. Do not understand why they playing the wrong Curran too.

 

[Zevon]

Not much I can add that everyone else hasn’t said already. Just a thrilling, stunning, heartwarming, satisfying win. Haven’t seen them play so consistently well for such a sustained period in god knows how long. So glad to see them get the rewards they deserve for what has clearly been the hard work they put in. Hope they really put the foot to the throat now and crush them again in the third test for 3-0.

Take a bow gentlemen.

 

[Wedge McManus]

England showed the windies a total lack of respect by just rolling up expecting to win easy... Backfired spectacularly...I deadset hope root hasn't stopped crying since that six off Anderson to win the series.

 

[Wolfs]

Holder is the greatest cricket all of time. I am not listening to proper reasoning.

Broad should be captain of England lol. He called what they were supposed to do but nope

 

[Doss]

Some lovely viewing here: https://www.crickethighlights2.com/...est-day-3-highlights-feb-2-2019/?tabgarb=tab3

 

[The Dawes]

Set the IQ for 9.00am Wednesday morning
2nd Test review on Fox Cricket
Must see TV

Well done windies, Jason Holder is the modern day Clive Lloyd

 

[Hamingja]

How come the WI always seem to do well against England but are absolute arse whenever we play them.

For the record they have won one test match against us since 1999, 1 win and 4 draws in the last 27.

Against England it is 5 wins, 6 draws, 7 losses in the last 18 since 2009.

 

[PhatBoy]

How come the WI always seem to do well against England but are absolute arse whenever we play them.

The last couple of series over there, we’ve had our moments - devendra bishoo and Jerome Taylor have both had some big spells but usually the wheels would fall off somewhere. Plus most of the current side either weren’t around or weren’t established last time Australia toured.
Last time WI were here, again they had their moments, I th8nk they took 3 wickets in the first session of the series in Hobart before Marsh and Voges (?) hit massive scores - Bravo hit a sparkling hundred that game and Brathwaite an uncharacteristically attacking 94 in the second innings but not much in between.
Moreover, their bowling attack at that point wasn’t as good as it is now. Holder was just a containing bowler, Roach hadn’t recovered from his car accident, Carlos Brathwaite was being used as a seamer.

This team wouldn’t beat Australia in Australia but I would give them a big chance in the West Indies.

 

[Doss]

How come the WI always seem to do well against England but are absolute arse whenever we play them.

For the record they have won one test match against us since 1999, 1 in the last 27.

West Indies were very competitive in the 2009 series in Australia and 2012 series in the West Indies, but it has been very grim for the most part.

There is something in the pyschology of the contest that seems to cause WI to lift against the English; it deserted them for a horror period between 2000 and 2007 where England won 13 against them in 16 Tests and didn't lose one, but since then it's definitely come back.

For the record, WI have now won four of the last six Tests between themselves and England. And England have, stretching back to the last Test of the 2004 series (Lara's 400 game) only won one of their last 11 Tests in the Caribbean.

 

[Doss]

Also, Kemar Roach wicket watch: 13 in the series for bugger all cost, 179 at 27.4 in his career now.

200 wickets genuinely in sight for him now; when was the last time WI had a 200+ wicket bowler playing for them? Would be Courtney Walsh would it not? I know Fidel Edwards ended on about 165-170 and others, like Dillon and Taylor, were more around the 130 mark.

 

[Sea fog]

Way to go Windies!

 

[Chaisa]

Holder's stats right now - batting average of 33.64, bowling average of 27.69. Better than Botham and Kapil, for example.

 

[legend166]

Am I reading the future tours program right in that we don't play a test against the Windies until summer 22/23 and even then it's only a two test series?

Rubbish.

 

[Blue1980]

This is outstanding as I think everyone in world cricket wants a strong West Indies, will add so much to the game.

I hope Holder is remembered as a legend of West Indian cricket up with the 3 W’s, Richards, Lloyd etc. Be seen as the man who stood up and pulled them back from the brink and led them to being a power again.

Seems their bowling is excellent, batting has gritted it out without being spectacular. Bravo is potentially one of the best in the world and Braithwaite is someone who can bat long periods. Find a couple more to average around 40 they could end up being the same levels as at least us and England.

Challenge for them now is to begin at least being competitive away from home. This is a good start though, even though they gave beaten England in home series they gave generally been hard fought, this has been a threshing.