From: mcbean@vax.oxford.ac.uk
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: re: W.I - Aus Final
Date: 21 Jan 93 20:05:11 GMT
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620

In article <llqv3nINNfco@news.bbn.com>, ckhan@BBN.COM writes:
> MacBean, in his unlimited wisdom, writes:

damning with faint praise Chico?-:)

> and if it does happen turn out that Haynes time on the team is limited, then
> the decision will be absolutely validated.  I don't think we'll see a new
> captain for the West Indies before Lara assumes the mantle.
> 

He captained Trinidad & Tobago at 20, so I guess he should be a sure pick!
> There are a few alternatives to Lambert as a replacement for Simmons.  I
> think Delroy Morgan deserves a chance.  He has been steady in Red Stripe for
> a while now.  Wallace also did reasonably well on his one (limited) tour 
> and I think is a good prospect.  My #2 choice though would be Robert Samuels,
> I suppose.


I think that Delroy Morgan's time may have passed.  I haven't seen Samuels yet,
but starting in 94 I should be au fait with all the Red Stripe hopefuls.  Now
if I can only persuade my future employers the telephone company to install an
internet link-:)
> 
> Of course, my #1 guy is still Lambert.  I'd be the first to admit that his
> defense is limited and his style would never be confused with David Gower's,
> but he has proved that he is able score runs - many runs - in first class
> cricket.

For what it's worth he did look okay against England till he comitted suicide
when Tufnell apppeared.

> Perhaps you're right.  Maybe sitting a series out will provide the incentive he
> needs decide if he wants to be a Test cricketer or not.  I don't think his 
> ability has ever been questioned, he just can't seem to get his mind working
> the way it should.

I think he makes a good case for seeing a sports psychologist.  No one I have
ever seen (including Gower) makes batting look so easy, then he does something
really stupid.

> 
> I agree about Adams (naturally ;-)).  I can think of no reason to exclude him
> for the foreseeable future, even if it means that Logie cannot get a play.  Of
> course, sitting Hooper out for the Pak. series will assure Adams of a spot.
> I don't know what else I can say about Adams except that we haven't even started
> to see what he can do as yet.  I haven't been so enthused about a cricketer
> since Kallicharran!

You are truly the #1 Adams fan!  I'm not that enthusiastic about him. 
Personally, I think he's closer to Gomes (an accumulator) than to Kalli (a bit
more panache).  Good solid player though.

> Joseph is one of those rare animals - a genuine Guyanese fast bowler!  There
> has been only two known sightings of the species before (John Trim and Colin
> Croft) playing for the West Indies.

Too many perfect batting pitches.  BTW I think that Croft would have been the
greatest if he hadn't gone to South Africa.  Quick, nasty from short of a
length and movement both ways.

> 
> After a brilliant start to his career in regional competition, he went to
> England for a season (I think it might have been Hampshire on recommendation
> of Mako when he was unable to play for a season for some reason, but I can't
> really remember, it being about three years ago or so) and had a disasterous
> year.  He developed a serious problem with bowling no balls.  Not being a
> fast bowler, I could never understand why it would be so difficult to correct
> for a no ball problem - maybe some r.s.c quickie can enlighten me.
> 
> Anyway, for the last year or so he has been bowling remarkably well and has 
> been knocking on the door but just can't get a foot in.  I'm not aware of
> the disciplinary problems but I hope the rumour is unfounded.  When Hooper
> is dropped (?!?) he may be the only Guyanese prospect for the team!  In any
> event, he's still pretty young and so may still get a chance.

Thanks for the info.  Now I'm off to do battle with the redoutable Dr. A. N.
Walker who is convinced that we re-invented bodyline and were "obsessed with
winning", among other unmentionables-:)


>     What do they know of cricket who only cricket knows.  -  C.L.R. James

Jack-squat diddley-:)

Ciao,
McBean.