Tri-Nation Tournament West Indies

by msp83 Fri 28 Jun 2013, 9:18 am

First topic message reminder :

Before the dust ssettles on the Champion's trophy, we have yet another Tri Nations tournament involving India. West Indies hosts the tournament with Sri Lanka being the 3rd side involved.
For West Indies, this is an opportunity to jell well under the leadership of new skipper Dwayne Bravo. Ramnaresh Sarwan is dropped due to poor form, and there is no place for young seamer Jason Holder either. West Indies have retained the rest of the squad that played the CT.
As for Sri Lanka, this tournament gives further opportunities to the likes of Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne and skipper Angelo Mathews to make the step up that reduce the side's real dependence on senior players like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Although both were in fime form during the CT, the younger players have to make the qualitative step sooner rather than later, as Kumar and Mahela won't be around for ever. Opener and senior player Tillakaratne Dilshan is out with an injury, otherwise Lanka have also retained the rest of their CT squad.
As for India this is an opportunity to consolidate the gains from the CT. The young squad should benefit from more game time with each other. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik have the opportunity to firm up their place in the side. The slowish and lowish nature of the tracks in the West Indies should suit Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and it presents a challenge to the quick bowlers to adapt quickly from the more friendly conditions in England, though there was no serious swing available in most of the games there. All-rounder Irfan Pathan is out with an injury, but the rest of the winning squad that played in the CT are there for this tournament.
Like most of the Tri-Nations tournament, this one is also a money spinner mostly due to India's presence, and it has come at the cost of a 2 test series between West Indies and Sri Lanka. There is no larger context to this tournament as such, but all the 3 teams have something to add to, consolidate, and improve up on.

by msp83 Thu 04 Jul 2013, 9:28 am

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Anyway, today's rant. The other day if you remember I had a go at Ishant's fielding (couldn't help noticing that when they showed "highlights" of India's fielding lapses yesterday Ishant did figure with a rather dodgy effort to stop the ball at fine-leg )

Today I shall attack something that sits increasingly poorly with me: the tendency of sides batting first to get someone to substitute for one of their batsmen who made a big score. Yesterday we saw Jeethan Mendis (good fielder) on for Tharanga (not a great fielder (except at short-leg where he's pretty sharp) and had scored a big hundred). I'm going to admit: I hate this. I'm pretty sure players are only meant to be off the field if something's wrong with them? In any case, I would never give up my chance to be out in the field with my teammats just because I'd done my bit with the bat. It's also unfair as the team chasing can obviously not employ the same tactics.

I believe the practise started with the great Gloucestershire limited overs sides of the late 90s. They would fairly regularly, when defending a total, get someone to substitute for the rather old Kim Barnett. I'm sure they're many examples, but two spring to my mind, both fairly recent.

1) SA vs England 2012. Amla had smacked 150 or so, came out to field, badly misjudged one at third-man which span past him, and I seem to remember he fumbled at least one other. Promptly went off with a "bad back" not to be seen again in the game.

2) Sehwag after smashing that 200+ (can't remember who it was against). Didn't come out at all. Made doubly worse as he was captain that day. Does leading your country mean so little to him? Very disappointing.

As I said other examples probably exist, but to me it's something I'm not a fan of, at all, as it seems to give the side batting first an advantage. Notice that it's never someone who can bowl, or a very good fielder, who comes off. Should they think about changing things so that time off the field carries through to the following batting innings in any case? Any thoughts on this?

Very true MFC. I hope the ICC does something about this. But not on the lines of what they did with the runners. That particular ruling I didn't like at the time of issue, and increasingly its proving rather ridiculous.

by KP_fan Fri 05 Jul 2013, 7:51 am

^i agree...they need to stop the substitute....immeditael in t20 and odis

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 6:45 pm

India v West Indies today.
Couldn't watch most of India's innings, but they've posted a big score here, 311-7 in 50 overs. Captain's knock from Virat Kohli. From 2 of 13 to 35 of 45 to 102 of 83.. The openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma put together another hundred partnership, and Dhawan scored a nice looking 69. Rohit scored 46, and R Ashwin remained not out 25 and was involved in a 90 run partnership with Kohli for the 7th wicket.
Of course Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels are the major threats for the Indians. Johnson Charles, Dwayne Bravo and Kiron Pollard are all capable stroke makers, and Darren Bravo has the ability to play the long hand. But India have the runs on the board, and that can put the opposition under pressure.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 7:17 pm

Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in the side today after a rather surprising decision to sit him out in the last match, and he gets the usual early wicket, and this time its the big one of Chris Gayle. Gayle gone caught behind for 10. And now Bhuvi gets another, its Darren Bravo , edging to Ashwin at slip. West Indies 25-2 after 5.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 7:38 pm

After those 2 wickets, the West Indies innings had slowed down just a little bit, but now Johnson Charles has restarted swinging his bat, and so far, its coming off for him. He really is a strange player, hits the balls in strange spots, when he connects well, it really travels, and when he mishits, it often lands in between fielders. Never looks assured in the crease, but he has started delivering more consistently of late.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 7:39 pm

And the stupid rain's on its way!.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 7:44 pm

And the interesting thing about this tournament is that there is a reserve day!.

by subhranshu.kumar.5 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 7:50 pm

Reserve day really!!!! So both team will bat again or the same match will continue.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 8:19 pm

The same match will continue I suppose.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 8:21 pm

Last update from cricinfo that came some time ago, suggested the rain had stopped. Remains to bee seen whether it'll return by the time the ground is readied for play to resume.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:18 pm

The match has resumed. We've lost 11 overs. West Indies have to chase down a revised target of 274 in 39 overs.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:25 pm

After surviving a very strong caught behind appeal from the Indians of a superb delivery from Ishant Sharma, Marlon Samuels duely edges the next ball and Karthik complets the catch. West Indies 64-3 after 12. Kieron Pollard in at 5, ahead of Dwayne Bravo.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:26 pm

And Pollard goes first ball!. Bhuvneshwar with his 3rd!.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:28 pm

West Indies 65-4 after 13.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:28 pm

Dwayne Bravo joins Charles.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:34 pm

And Charles goes as well, Ishant with his 2nd wicket. Charles was set and was looking dangerous. Ramdin joins his skipper. West Indies 69-5.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:38 pm

And now Bravo takes one smack on his privates!. He's looking in some real pain.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:48 pm

The seamers have been getting the ball to talk for India, and as Bhuvneshwar is done with an 8 oover spell, its spin from one end, Ravindra Jadeja it is.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:50 pm

After being dropped for the last game, Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved the team management wrong in the first given opportunity with a fine fine spell. 3- 29 in his 8 overs, including the massive early wicket of Chris Gayle.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 9:51 pm

Double spin attack now, Ravichandran Ashwin replacing Ishant.
The way the ball was moving about for Ishant, perhaps Kohli should have given a couple of overs to Umesh Yadav?

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 10:02 pm

Umesh back on, and strikes first ball. Ramdin goes, and Bhuvi again getting himself involved with another wicket, with the catch this time.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 10:03 pm

Darren Sammy, in decent striking form with the bat in recent times, joins Bravo.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 10:10 pm

And now goes the captain Bravo, Umesh gets him LBW. West Indies 108-7.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 10:21 pm

Sammy doesn't last too long either, a 3rd wicket for Umesh. West Indies 113-8.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 10:51 pm

Roach and Narine are having a bash out there. India need to restrict West to under 219. They are 161-8 after 32.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 10:53 pm

India just had a chance in Jadeja's last over, but Bhuvneshwer and Raina didn't communicate well while going for the skier and it eventually landed between the 2 of them. Narine smashed the next one for 6 sa well. Sloppy from India.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 10:57 pm

West Indies 169-8 after 33.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 11:00 pm

Jadeja breaks the partnership at last. This time Narine's slog settles with the fielder in the deep.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 11:01 pm

The Best of the lot now joins Roach.

by msp83 Fri 05 Jul 2013, 11:03 pm

Jadeja gets the better of Roach next ball, bowled via pad. India get the important bonus point.

by Gerry SA Fri 05 Jul 2013, 11:12 pm

So the match against Sri Lanka's flat track bullies was a one off for India.

Excellent knock by Kohli, first 100 in 13 innings.

Excellent bowling by Yadav and Kumar.

Hopefully Windies beat the Sri Lankan pancake specialists on Sunday.

by msp83 Sun 07 Jul 2013, 10:41 am

West Indies v Sri Lanka today. A win will see WI through to the final, a Sri Lankan win today will make the last match between India and Sri Lanka important for everyone.
West Indies will be without their captain Dwayne Bravo, who is hit with a suspension for slow overrates.

by msp83 Sun 07 Jul 2013, 6:16 pm

Rain stopped play after Sri Lanka reached 60-3 after 19 overs, having been put in by the West Indies.
West Indies are missing capatain Bravo, Sunil Narine and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith and Jason Holder taking their places.

by msp83 Sun 07 Jul 2013, 6:47 pm

We haven't had the official word yet, but this game is certainly moving towards the reserve day as the rain keeps coming down.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 4:47 pm

The match has restarted and we have a 45 over game. Sri Lanka are 95-4 after 27 overs. Lahiru Thirimanne the batsman out today, an atrocious ODI innings from him, 23 of 73 is a pathetic effort!.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 4:48 pm

Sangakkara is batting on 31, and Sri Lanka need him to bat through to post a respectable total here, and the rest of the batting lineup, starting from skipper Angelo Mathews, will have to bat around him.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 5:21 pm

The rain's back. Sri Lanka 122-4 after 32.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 6:46 pm

Sri Lanka finish with 219-8. Kumar Sangakkara playing an excellent innings, not out 90 of 95. There was not much support for him from the other end, Mathews played a good hand and picked up the tempo of the innings, and the West Indies bowlers gave away plenty in terms of extras. They have a revised ttarget of 230 in 41 overs to chse down. Always, Gayle and Samuels are the key men, and Johnson Charles would do well to maintain the newfound consistency.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 7:00 pm

Kulasekara has just put a very difficult return chance from Chris Gayle down. Seems to have done himself some damage as well during that drop. West Indies 14-0.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 7:01 pm

Kulasekara is in serious pain, and he walks off the field. Thirimanne to complete the over.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 7:04 pm

Gayle trying to play too many shots early on, not his typical mode of operation, and he doesn't look settled at all. Gayle's trying to go after wider balls from Arenga, the bowler trying to keep it wide enough from Gayle.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 7:06 pm

Gayle was beaten 3 times in that over, but he managed to smash 2 of the 3 he connected from Arenga for 4.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 7:12 pm

Gayle's gone, Mathews replacing the injured Kulasekara, Gayle goes for 14, West Indies 25-1 after 5 overs. Devon Smith joins Charles.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 7:15 pm

Now Eranga strikes, Charles gone, brilliantly caught and bowled for 14. West Indies in early trouble, 29-2. Marlon Samuels in at 4, joins Devon Smith.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 7:18 pm

West Indies falling apart, double strike from Eranga, Samuels gone for a duck. West Indies 29-3.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 8:33 pm

West Indies 96-4 after 26. Bravo and Simmons building a partnership to stabilize after they were down to 31-4.

by shivfan Mon 08 Jul 2013, 9:27 pm

A good innings of 67 from 78 by Simmons gave the Windies a chance, but his departure means that SL are favourites now...especially with Pollard out for a duck.

by shivfan Mon 08 Jul 2013, 9:37 pm

Lil Bravo out for 70....that should be the end of it now.

by msp83 Mon 08 Jul 2013, 10:12 pm

Sri Lanka eventually win the game by 40 runs. Darren Bravo and Lendl Simmons resisted, but even without Kulesekara, the Sri Lankan bowlers stuck to their task, skipper Angelo Mathews leading the way with 4 wickets.
Sri Lanka have a pretty healthy run rate, and they really have to lose so badly to Intia to crash out of the tournament. A bonus point winn will see India through, a Sri Lankan win knock them out, and if India win with a bonus point, then they have to win with a healthy margin to deny the West Indies.

by KP_fan Tue 09 Jul 2013, 7:49 am

If India win...they are through
If Lanka win or game rained out...WI & Lanka are throuhg

WI inspite of all the talent they have.....are frivolous over 50 overs.....just can't sustain their coehision/ focus/ organized approach over that "long" duration.
They seem to have accepted 20 over as "their" brand of cricket and destiny.

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