Kemar Roach ruled out of rest of tour

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/18272290

Bad news for WI obviously but I'd also say bad news for England, we need practice against top quality fast bowling ahead of the SA series and he was the most testing challenge the batsmen will get to face. Disappointing all round.

Doesn't leave them with much of a bowling attack!

The good: Tino Best might get a game, great for comedy value

The bad: Windies will be even less competitive, and won't learn if Bairstow is up to facing fast bowling

Agree with both of the above: it means Bairstow will face a less stern test and should he succeed we will be forced to hear everyone say in unison "oh but it's only because Roach wasn't playing".

jeffwinger wrote:Bad news for WI obviously but I'd also say bad news for England, we need practice against top quality fast bowling ahead of the SA series and he was the most testing challenge the batsmen will get to face. Disappointing all round.

Bad news for the West Indies, but very good news for Johnny Bairstow who probably is relieved that he has a better chance of making a century at Edgbaston.

Narine to replace him

shankythebiggestengfan wrote:Narine to replace him

An interesting one, but perhaps justified.

They must have gone through the process of "Who will give us the best chance of winning at Edgbaston?". And the absence of credible pace-bowling options not already injured or on the tour left them coming up with Narine. His FC record is certainly good, albeit over a very short sample. But, based on England's winter performances, the introduction of a so-called mystery spinner could be to greater effect than bringing in a back-up seamer.

I would imagine that Best, Fidel, Shillingford and Narine will all play in the two day match. Shillingford and Fidel need form, whilst the viability of playing Best or Narine in the Test needs to be examined.

My personal view is that whilst Tino is a joy to watch, he tends to be far too wayward for an international.

Shelsey93 wrote:

shankythebiggestengfan wrote:Narine to replace him

An interesting one, but perhaps justified.

They must have gone through the process of "Who will give us the best chance of winning at Edgbaston?". And the absence of credible pace-bowling options not already injured or on the tour left them coming up with Narine. His FC record is certainly good, albeit over a very short sample. But, based on England's winter performances, the introduction of a so-called mystery spinner could be to greater effect than bringing in a back-up seamer.

I would imagine that Best, Fidel, Shillingford and Narine will all play in the two day match. Shillingford and Fidel need form, whilst the viability of playing Best or Narine in the Test needs to be examined.

My personal view is that whilst Tino is a joy to watch, he tends to be far too wayward for an international.

What about the 6ft 6/6ft 8 inch young paceman Jason Holder?