West Indies v England, 3rd Test, St John's, Feb 15-19

by Basil Fri 13 Feb 2009, 20:14

I wonder if the teams might be changed. Jimmikins was picked because reverse swing, it was thought, was going to be a factor. if the outfield at the ARG is lush, maybe England might revert to Harmy. Funny, in an ironic sort of way.

by Guest Fri 13 Feb 2009, 20:16

Has anyone seen the ARG lately? Suspect

by Basil Fri 13 Feb 2009, 20:25

This quote is from Chris Gayle on the BBC website:

"I gather there's alot of football played there and the field is a bit bumpy, even the wicket has acouple of ridges, so you have some uneven bounce"

You couldn't make it up.

by Guest Fri 13 Feb 2009, 20:44

There's a certain innocence to it all.

by JKLever Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:31

Last I heard about the ARG was that one of the stands was falling to bits?

Anyone know when it last hosted test cricket? Must be a couple of years at least....

by Basil Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:32

150 might be a winning score!

by Gary 111 Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:32

Would think Harmison is likely to play after all!

Reports from England's practice session in the nets said the wickets were quite lively and that Harmison had pinned a couple of the England batsmen. His main successes, Old Trafford '06, Sabina Park 2nd innings, etc have been where the pitch is dodgy and he can mindlessly bang it in back of a length without thinking too much.

Maybe Andy Roberts should have let the wicket fall into disrepair earlier - would have saved us some very boring Tests in the 90s. Though i'm sure Brian Lara wouldn't agree.

by JKLever Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:35

Gary 111 wrote:Would think Harmison is likely to play after all!

Reports from England's practice session in the nets said the wickets were quite lively and that Harmison had pinned a couple of the England batsmen. His main successes, Old Trafford '06, Sabina Park 2nd innings, etc have been where the pitch is dodgy and he can mindlessly bang it in back of a length without thinking too much.

Maybe Andy Roberts should have let the wicket fall into disrepair earlier - would have saved us some very boring Tests in the 90s. Though i'm sure Brian Lara wouldn't agree.

The Harmison/Anderson debate was never as clear cut as the Bell/Shah one. They're both pretty useless unless conditions suit them so I wouldn't rule that out...

by Gary 111 Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:35

JKLever wrote:Last I heard about the ARG was that one of the stands was falling to bits?

Anyone know when it last hosted test cricket? Must be a couple of years at least....

Failing that there's a car park round the back of the office building where I work. Its only a few hours flight from Antigua and we can stick a matt out in the middle and paint some lines on it. There might be a few cars on the outfield but its usually pretty empty at the weekends and i'm sure the security guard won't mind too much.

by Chivalry Augustus Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:36

JKLever wrote:Last I heard about the ARG was that one of the stands was falling to bits?

Anyone know when it last hosted test cricket? Must be a couple of years at least....

Someone tie Ian Bell up under there. I'm happy for him to become a martyr for the sake of getting rid of him. So long as he doesn't resurrect and become the new Jesus, as is probably quite likely with Ian Bell.

by JKLever Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:38

Wonder if the return to the ARG will get the locals to return out of nostalgia too?

by LeFromage Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:49

Think I read somewhere that Jammy had totally decked The Bellatron in the nets, during this week's build up at the ARG.

Perhaps that's what got him the nod. Perhaps Big Steve was still lumbering in and letting fly at half-pace and the PTB thought: "f*ck this for a game of soldiers."

In any case, if it's a shite wicket, at least there'll be a result. Which will make a pleasant change for Antigua.

by JKLever Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:53

The ARG was one of West Indies' most iconic grounds; a ramshackle of a venue with a prison adorning one side that played host to two of Brian Lara's world records, but the ground hasn't hosted a Test since 2006 and has gradually fallen into disuse. It has mainly been used for practice and preparation, and England enjoyed a surprisingly spicy net session in the run-up to the second Test, but Gayle voiced concerns about staging a hastily-arranged Test match at such a creakingly old venue.

"We practised there but take into consideration the field wasn't up to standard there as well," he said. "It was a bit bumpy - I gather there's a lot of football played there. The field is a bit bumpy, even the wicket has a couple of ridges so you have some uneven bounce."

Hurst, though, remained optimistic that the ARG would be fit in time. "The security people have made a good look around and gave it the okay," he said. "The stands looked okay, there's one stand that may have a limited number of people who can use it."

If that happened in England there's no way health and safety would let us play there.

by Gary 111 Fri 13 Feb 2009, 21:54

Oh, it was Jimmy who sconed Bell? For some reason I thought it was Harmison. Any way, well done whoever it was.

Although these extra two days recovery could be all Bell needs to make his triumphant comeback. I can see a well-crafted 42 followed up with a resolute 37 as England are bowled out for 131 chasing 160 to win.

by WIFAN Fri 13 Feb 2009, 22:45

The top deck of one of the stands will be closed I think as it has fallen into disrepair.

I'm just happy that the 8,000 fans will get some cricket, and the locals who boycott the new stadium will attend as well, making for a much better atmosphere.

We might even see an appearance from Gravy.

by lardbucket Fri 13 Feb 2009, 23:37

Agree with Gary; Bell will be back ... Shah made no runs at all in the Second Test. He was an absolute passenger.

by doctorspin Sat 14 Feb 2009, 01:09

lardbucket wrote:Agree with Gary; Bell will be back ... Shah made no runs at all in the Second Test. He was an absolute passenger.

by JKLever Sat 14 Feb 2009, 10:16

West Indies v England, 3rd Test, St John's, Feb 15-19 _4547710

Hmmmm....

As long as the run ups are fine it should be ok, I've seen cricket played on far worse.

I gather this is where both teams have practiced in the nets, could be a lively deck!

Apparently only going to be a limited number of camera positions, so no referrals for this game either.

by beamer Sat 14 Feb 2009, 10:22

As long as the run-up areas are OK and the pitch isn't likely to produce a 2-day result, and of course that it's safe for the spectators, then it should be the right decision to play. But whether it's worth the gamble is questionable, you have to wonder if a similar outcome to the first attempt would finish the tour.

by beamer Sat 14 Feb 2009, 17:16

Gary 111 wrote:Failing that there's a car park round the back of the office building where I work. Its only a few hours flight from Antigua and we can stick a matt out in the middle and paint some lines on it.

Any particular Matt? Prior perhaps? Wink

by Yorkie Jill Sat 14 Feb 2009, 17:38

Dello wrote:Think I read somewhere that Jammy had totally decked The Bellatron in the nets, during this week's build up at the ARG.

the quote was: "Poor Ian Bell was flattened by a James Anderson bouncer."

How I larfed.

by LeFromage Sat 14 Feb 2009, 19:05

I like to think he cried. And possibly urinated a little.

by OP Tipping Sat 14 Feb 2009, 19:39

I hope that young lad Ian Bell gets another chance, he showed a lot of promise in the 1st match.

by OP Tipping Sat 14 Feb 2009, 19:41

BTW did the insertion of this match require any tour fixtures to be bumped?

by WIFAN Sat 14 Feb 2009, 21:53

I think the warm up match before the Barbados test has been canceled.

Not 100% sure though.

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