West Indies v England, 1st Test, North Sound, 8-12 March, 2022

This might be an interesting series.

Go the Windies! Make them grovel!

Errr ... "make 'em grovel" is the kiss of death ...


Though maybe in current circumstances that term is melodramatic. I dunno.

We’ve only won one series there since the 1960s, despite their recent crapulosity in the proper game… England always seem to arrive in the Caribbean in some sort of interim transition mode.

Main hope is that a few of the newer players make a statement that they’re here to stay. Actually winning the series would be a bonus, as would be a few scores over 300. Prove there’s life beyond Anderson and Broad. And we might even get to see Stokes, Woakes and Foakes in the same team at last, in which case anything else is acceptable

Robinson's back has gone again. He is a complete liability until he sorts out his fitness.

Wood seemingly down with illness as well, I heard. Colly will have to play and bowl his old wobblers at this rate…

If only we had a couple of reserves with recent experience of playing in the Caribbean to call upon. Oh wait................

Happy 70th by the way to the Master Blaster, whose name is on both the venue for this match and the new series trophy shared with Lord Brexit…

(How can someone I actually remember watching play in his prime be 70? )

Get Botham in there.

First decent thing he'll have done for years.

Wisden Trophy replaced by the Scrumpy Cup?

PeterCS wrote:Get Botham in there.

First decent thing he'll have done for years.

What, as coach? Or to negotiate with Putin?

By the way, BT covering this tour for UK TV, but it will be interesting to see Sky’s roster for this summer. In the last couple of years, for varying reasons, they’ve lost Willis, Gower, Botham, Holding, Lloyd and Warne. That’s some hole to fill. Can they replace those iconic voices, particularly when their monopoly on coverage has started to be diluted?

beamer wrote:

PeterCS wrote:Get Botham in there.

First decent thing he'll have done for years.

What, as coach? Or to negotiate with Putin?

By the way, BT covering this tour for UK TV, but it will be interesting to see Sky’s roster for this summer. In the last couple of years, for varying reasons, they’ve lost Willis, Gower, Botham, Holding, Lloyd and Warne. That’s some hole to fill. Can they replace those iconic voices, particularly when their monopoly on coverage has started to be diluted?

There's always Alex Tudor.

You don't negotiate with Putin.

Other than to expose him to those still with no eyes to see.


No, I was suggesting he roll his arm over, in the absence of available qucks/medium pacers.

Best thing he would have done since the Lamby adverts on TV.

Anyway - almost time for the band to strike up "Entry of the Gladiators".

PeterCS wrote:Anyway - almost time for the band to strike up "Entry of the Gladiators".

Wolf, Saracen, Jet and Lightning?

England win the toss and bat.

Leach plays, Stokes, Woakes and Foakes all feature! The Window in for the injured Tommy.

cricinfo natterers catching the spirit of this game ...

No Hope in a Chase for WI

If Joel Wilson gives you out I guess you have to review…

So much for the Zak 'n' Zac Show.

At least England have a WOW attack when they get to bowl (sometime after luch?)

PeterCS wrote:So much for the Zak 'n' Zac Show.

Bring back Rory Burns. Or Monty Burns. Or Monty Panesar, or something like that…

Zakistan needs more work… DH next lamb to the slaughter, then it’s back to the old guard. Can we threaten 200 here?

Or even 100? Odds on being skittled by lunch here.

One man can’t carry a batting line-up forever. Could have forgiven him jumping ship for the franchise circus after the Ashes.

Things are looking up - England haven't lost a wicket for over half an hour now.