West Indies v. Sth. Africa - Test series.

[Donny]

Windies ready, warns Lara

From correspondents in Johannesburg - Fox Sports


THE West Indies arrived here today for a four-Test tour with skipper Brian Lara warning they are unfazed by one of the most humiliating episodes in the team's history in an earlier tour.

Lara, who was captain when the West Indies toured South Africa in 1998-99 and were roundly drubbed in all five Tests, said the majority of his squad are players who had not been part of the ignominous defeat.

"The majority of this team was not here in 1998," the SAPA news agency quoted Lara as saying.

"We are going to play in our own era and make our own history for ourselves and the West Indies people."

Lara said his team, who arrived here from Zimbabwe where they won the Test series 1-0 and staged a sensational comeback to claim the five-match one-day series 3-2, are better prepared.

"Playing a month of international cricket ahead of a tough tour like this always helps," said Lara. "Zimbabwe really lifted themselves for us and they played some hard cricket. It was great preparation for this tour."

The West Indians will also play five one-day internationals in South Africa.

In Lara's favour will be a loss of potency in South Africa's bowling resources.

Five seasons ago, the West Indies ran into Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock when they were at the peak of their form.

Donald has retired from international cricket and although Pollock remains one of the most reliable bowlers in the game, he has lost pace.

[commonwombat]

Absolutely spot on re Sth African bowling stocks. Donald was asked to go on too long. Pollock is still a fine bowler but was never legitimately fast, now is only medium-fast.

Ntini can be genuinely quick and is the only frontline paceman to genuinely make the grade over last 5-6 years. Others, due to injury or being frankly not good enough, have failed to establish at Test level.

Kallis, after Pollock and Ntini, is the next most effective bowler but is the team's no.1 batsman. He is quicker than Pollock and is deceptive in pace. But the amount he may be called on to bowl can impact into his batting which SHOULD be his no.1 concern. A worry now with weakened bowling stocks.

Spin. Adams and Boje have never consistently done the business at Test level. Peterson is newer on the block and I know less of him but does not appear to be any sort of Messiah.

Overall; Sth African bowling stocks are at their weakest since theri return to Intl scene 12 years ago. May struggle to bowl out really strong sides cheaply. West Indies appear talented but erratic and undisciplined. It would not surprise to see Lara get away from them at least once. However it would require Lara to have an unusually consistent and productive series and receive consistent support from a number of others for W.I to grab the series.

Will post my synopsis on Sth African batting later.

[Sultan of spin]

SA are definitely favorites but the Windies are certainly not without a chance. Lara is some of the best form of his career and has been well supported recently by Sarwan, Gayle and co. Windies bowling attack though is still only mediocre and is their main weakness, having said that though SA batting isn't as good as it once was and as wombat has already stated their bowling also has dropped away.

So I wouldn't expect anything like the belting SA gave them last time. My prediction either 2-2 or 2-1 to SA, I'd like to pick the Windies but maybe they are still a little short on experience to beat the likes of SA in an away test series just yet, but I hope i'm wrong.

[commonwombat]

You may not be far wrong, Sultan. The Windies have the potential to possible steal a match or two but realistically lack the experience, consistency in batting and more importantly consistent penetration in bowling attack to pull off this series.

With regards to the SA batting, their top order (ie Gibbs, Kirsten, Smith and Kallis) still stack up very nicely thank you very much but the middle order is somewhat rubbery. The likes of Dippenaar, McKenzie, Rudolph etc have yet to consistently convince at the top level. Therefore it is the likes of Pollock and Boucher to regularly rescue things.

Thankfully Pollock's drop in bowling pace has been countered by greater consistency with the bat. A further observation is the decline in the tail. Whereas SA sides of the 90's were often bolstered by capable batting down to 10, this is no longer the case.

WI will be reliant on Dillon to have a career best series along with young Edwards really turning his undoubted potential into consistent performance. Unless they can consistently break the strong SA top order, it may be a case of not this time.

Wombat's fearless prediction: SA to win 2 maybe 3 Tests and win series. Windies may pull 1 match 2 at most optimistic. 2 maybe 3 drawn matches could be on the cards due to less than sensational attacks on both sides.

[Newelly]

What became of Wayward Hayward? He had some genuine pace at 140+ km/h. Injury or lack of form?

[commonwombat]

Nantie Hayward has struggled to stay injury free for any length of time since their last Aus tour.

Yes, he was genuinely quick, capable of 150+ on the odd occassion and with some rough edges smoothed may have been a solid performer at top level but certainly was NO Allan Donald.

[couragous cloke]

OH isnt this going to be interesting... I mark this test series, the series when the windies were risen from the Dead. South Africa are finally vulnerable and we couldnt of ran into them at a better time

They have a poor bowling line up which should be dispatched with out talented batters. That obviously works both ways so im pickin a VERY high scoring test series.

Lara is ready to explode and if he can get on a roll, maybe... For ONCE his teammates can follow the leader and jump on the princes Band Wagon.

All on Fox Sports so im ready for some sleepless nights

South Africa Hear we COME!

[Donny]

Lara leads West Indians to victory in pipe-opener

Wisden Cricinfo staff


The West Indian tourists kicked off the South African leg of their tour with a 12-run victory in a 45-over game against Nicky Oppenheimer's XI, in the traditional curtain-raiser at the lovely Randjesfontein ground.

Oppenheimer's XI looked out of it when the in-form Zander de Bruyn was caught and bowled by Chris Gayle for 31 in the 39th over, which left them 164 for 5 and needing another 78 to win from 6.5 overs, but a forthright stand between the unheralded pair of Vaughan van Jaarsveld, whose muscular unbeaten 49 from 46 balls contained four sixes but no fours, and Albie Morkel, who scurried to 22 not out from 20 balls, took their side close to an upset.

Earlier the West Indians had enjoyed themselves in amassing a handy total of 241 for 4 in their 45 overs. Daren Ganga acclimatised with 70 from 103 balls, with ten fours and a six, and put on 87 for the first wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made 53. At the end in came Brian Lara to thump 53 from only 28 balls - he clouted four fours and three sixes - which turned out to be a vital contribution in the end.

[commonwombat]

Got ya kit packed ready for the call, CC ???

You are correct in stating that SA is vulnerable but you're pinning yr hopes on some big maybes. Firstly that Lara has one belter of a series, secondly that one or more of the supporting cast can consistently back him up and thirdly that the less than threatening WI attack can consistently do the business.

Basically both teams have less than sensational attacks, SA looks to have the edge in this area. Will have to look at the tour schedule to see where and when the matches are.

[Donny]

Here 'tis, wombat.

West Indies in South Africa, Dec 2003 - Feb 2004
Match Schedule

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date Match Venue
==== ===== =====
December
3 Nicky Oppenheimer XI Randjesfontein
5-8 Free State Bloemfontein
12-16 First Test Johannesburg
19-22 Tour match East London
26-30 Second Test Durban

January
2-6 Third Test Cape Town
9-12 Tour match Benoni
16-20 Fourth Test Centurion
23 South Africa 'A' Paarl (d/n)
25 First ODI Cape Town (d/n)
28 Second ODI Port Elizabeth (d/n)
30 Third ODI Durban (d/n)

February
1 Fourth ODI Centurion
4 Fifth ODI Johannesburg (d/n)

[Donny]

Chanderpaul and Jacobs leave Free State tottering

Wisden Cricinfo staff

A record-breaking partnership between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ridley Jacobs put the West Indians in a commanding position of their match against Free State at the end of the second day's play at Bloemfontein. The West Indians were finally dismissed for a daunting 618, and then in the final three overs of the day reduced Free State to 3 for 2.

Chanderpaul smashed 245, his first double hundred, and Jacobs 149 as they took their stand to 359, breaking the first-class record in South Africa for the fifth wicket of 342, held by Eric Rowan and Paul Gibb for Transvaal against North-Eastern Transvaal in 1951-52.

Free State's second-string attack toiled for almost two sessions without a breakthrough as Chanderpaul and Jacobs cut loose, and when Wycliffe Deacon finally trapped Jacobs leg-before, it was the first wicket in over day. From then on in the bowlers had a better time as the West Indians lost their last five wickets for 29 runs as they pushed for quick runs.

Free State were left with a tricky three overs to face, and within nine balls they were two wickets down as Jonathan Beukes and Rayno Arendse were both dismissed.

[Donny]

Free State made 264. Rampaul took 5/55.

The Windies had a massive (354) lead but batted again.

Gayle went for a duck in the first over and Hinds (27) and Sarwan (1) also were dismissed early.

Then Ganga and Baugh added 249 with Baugh slamming 158 n.o. from 154 balls with 18 fours and 5 sixes. Ganga hit a more sedate 101 n.o.

They declared on 3/289 leaving a target of 644 from 41 overs.

Should be a breeze - only 16 r.p.o. needed. Go Free State !!

[Donny]

Baugh ballistics enliven an inevitable draw

Wisden Cricinfo staff

The West Indians' only first-class match before the Test series gets under way at Johannesburg on Friday (Dec 12) ended in the draw that was the only likely outcome once Brian Lara opted for batting practice rather than enforcing the follow-on yesterday - but a rumbustious innings from Carlton Baugh, who slapped 158 not out in less than three hours, enlivened the final day and further dispirited the Free State bowlers.

Resuming at 39 for 2 the West Indians soon lost Ramnaresh Sarwan for 1, but that only brought Baugh to the crease. Perhaps stung by the century his rioval for the wicketkeeping gloves, Ridley Jacobs, completed on the second day, Baugh hit out, collecting five sixes and 18 fours as he skeetered to a career-best innings. In all he faced 154 balls, in 178 minutes, and added an unbeaten 249 for the fourth wicket with Daren Ganga, whose own century - 12 fours and a six - was somewhat overshadowed.

When Lara eventually put an end to the bowlers' torture Free State needed the little matter of 644 to win. They satisfied themselves by pottering to 97 for 2 from the 32 overs possible before the captains shook hands. There was time for Ryan McLaren to complete his maiden first-class half-century before the close.

The West Indians had an enjoyable time in Bloemfontein, with a heartening bowling performance in skittling Free State for 264 to set alongside two dominant batting displays. But as they travel down to Jo'burg they will be aware that South Africa at the Wanderers is likely to be a different kettle of fish indeed.

[Donny]

Third Windies player sent home
From correspondents in Bloemfontein - Fox Sports
December 9, 2003

WEST Indies suffered another injury blow today when off-spinner Omari Banks was forced out of the tour of South Africa.

Banks is suffering from a stress fracture of the lower back and becomes the third player to head home because of injury, following paceman Jerome Taylor and batsman Marlon Samuels.


The first Test begins at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday.

[couragous cloke]

Bloody injuries everywhere.... its ok its ok, aslong as lara's ok