Chris Gayle - West Indies

[Briedis]

I reckon the Windies have a champion in the making here. Big 100 against India, in India a couple of days ago and a 72 today (off 68 balls) which included a big 6 to bring up his 50.

There's a bit of Clive Lloyd about his batting. With youngsters the calibre of Hinds, Sarwan, Samuels and Gayle all starting to perform things look like they might be turning around for the Windies.

All four had good stats from the test series. Add Lara, Chanderpaul and Hooper to these young fellows and they should be able to score enough runs in the upcoming test series against Australia.

Their bowling attack still needs something though and this is what is letting them down in test cricket. Dillon is a lone hand, and that is a worry for them. Hopefully they will find at least two young quicks in the near future.

 

[wagstaff]

And Gayle added to his recent patch of good form by scoring 140 off just 127 balls in the one-dayer today against India.

Should be a key for the Windies come the World Cup.

 

[SpecialBruce]

As I'm a windies follower, I've been following the teams form for some time. Earlier on in the year, I rated Gayle as an upcoming star of the game. He is an opener and he also gets the occasional wicket. If his bowling comes good, he will make an excellent opener/allrounder. Sarwan as you have been saying has been getting a high number of runs per game and Chanderpaul has been in form. Hooper has been slightly down but just recently Samuels who has come in for Lara has played good. It will be interesting to see who the windies will take out for Lara. It will be out of Samuels and Hinds I think. Hinds hasn't been doing much lately.

As you've said about the bowling it lacks and only Dillon is their best fast bowler at the present time. Cameron Cuffy hasn't been playing that much. There is another bowler in Drakes who looks like he's going to be an upcoming star.

If the Windies can stay in form come the World Cup, Lara included when he gets back, he will add something else to the team, then I would consider putting some money on the Windies to win the cup. If their bowling picks up, I will definately put money on them. Things are turning around for this side.

 

[Squeak]

I hope Sarawn finally cracks it for a century soon. Test avge of 37 with a high score of 91, and in the aforementioned ODI last night, me and wagstaff followed on cricinfo as Cousin Hooper hogged the strike in the last 4 overs, leaving Sarwan stranded on 99 not out after the 50 overs.

 

[Squeak]

Here's the commentary from the last ball of that innings:

49.6 Nehra to Sarwan, two runs, flicked again to midwicket, and the
three-figure mark seems to be purposely eluding Sarwan, who now
ends up unbeaten on 99, the closest he has ever gotten to the
century!!

 

[London Dave]

Originally posted by SpecialBruce
As I'm a windies follower, I've been following the teams form for some time. ........
......... There is another bowler in Drakes who looks like he's going to be an upcoming star.

I assume you are talking of Vasbert Drakes, who must be approaching his mid 30's (not what I'd call up and coming), has played County Cricket here for several different teams over several seasons, and has also played in the SA 1st class comp for a couple of seasons....may have even played a few ODI's, but I wouldnt think he would play any part in the future of WI cricket. Is a professional mercenary, not a test player.

 

[Vindaloo Mat]

I was at the game in Ahmedabad where he scored 140 off about 130 a couple of days ago....my first live Indian cricket experience.

A great innings...only looked like getting out once which was when he was caught at deep square leg but the feilder touched the rope with his foot. Otherwise a truely dominating innings aka Clive Lloyd.

As for cricket in India.....think of the crowd noise immediatly after the end of the anthem in a final at the footy....that is the base noise....and it only goies up from there !!!


Vindaloo Mat

 

[Squeak]

Gayle hit another century last night, 101.

 

[Briedis]

Gayle so far has three tons and one 50 from 5 innings during this one day series, as well as over 400 runs too. Sarwan has been great too with three 50s and over 300 runs.

Go the Windies! It would be a MAJOR confidence dent for India to go down to the West Indies at home in a one day series so close to the World Cup.