West Indies need 287

By Will 5 months ago Leave a comment on this post

What a game in Jamaica where West Indies are (somehow) putting Australia under all sorts of pressure. As I write, West Indies have begun their second-innings chase of 287 after bowling Australia out for 167 who, at one point, were 18 for 5. 5 for 18, 18 for 5 - go on, say it. It’s immense fun. I can’t remember the last time Australia’s top-order failed so spectacularly though my colleague reminded me of Edgbaston in 1997.

Is this the demise of the once great Australia? Of course it’s not - but it might be the beginning of the end, if that’s not contradicting myself. The embryo of a decline. It’s also pleasing to see Australian journalists are just as fickle as us Brits. Alex Brown, in the SMH, ponders the question and comes across all doom and gloom.

Being the West Indian fan that I am, and despising Australia as a pom’s birthright allows, I’m egging them on all 287 runs. Keep an eye on the scorecard…

Tags: australia, australia-in-west-indies, dominance, west-indies |

Comments to “West Indies need 287” William wrote:
May 26th, 2008 at 12.21 am

It’s rare enough that we get a Test match perfectly poised in the fourth innings with all results possible, but now we have two at once! Tomorrow will be great.

England need 218 with 9 wickets remaining.
Windies need 241 with 9 wickets remaining.

Without Symonds’ innings, the West Indies would probably have made it, but another 241 runs is a lot for them to muster. Good to know the Aussies are starting to have self-doubts though!

Elliott wrote:
May 26th, 2008 at 12.50 am

I don’t think that any of the Aussie players would be doubting that they will win this test match!

Mayby at 5-17 there might of been a little bit of doubt creeping in though…

But yes, its fair to say there won’t be much sleep had in my house tonight!

CurryCricketer wrote:
May 26th, 2008 at 5.26 am

Heard Jim Maxwell on the radio this morning. He made the point that Australia may well be relying on Binga Lee and Stuey Clark to get the wickets for them today - as opposed to Stuey MacGill, who you’d expect to be a threat on a 5th day pitch.

Mitch Johnson will really need to put in tomorrow if he wants to keep his test spot for the next game on Friday.

Had there been one S.K.Warne in the team, the result would be beyond doubt. However with him missing, things aren’t so certain. These are interesting times in which we live.

Marcus wrote:
May 26th, 2008 at 6.47 am

I find it funny how everyone focuses on the bad balls MacGill bowls that get wickets, but ignore the good ones he bowls that don’t.

But the Windies are really playing well here- I’m glad they’re finally playing a five-man attack and a specialist spinner, who I hope gets a good run. When Taylor comes back for probably Sammy the attack will be even better- as will the batting, with Gayle and possibly Chattergoon returning. If they win here, they have a more-than-decent crack at the series, although Australia’s strength will be improved.

But still, I don’t anyone thought that they’d put up such a fight this early in the series.

Ad wrote:
May 26th, 2008 at 9.30 am

I think England and W.Indies will both lose, but what great fun if either/both pull off a win. Being a proud Englishman, I’d rather Australia lost than England won.

Steve wrote:
May 26th, 2008 at 9.37 am

Funny how people always associate Warne with winning, and Australia losing when without Warne. THey forget that Australia lost with him as well, notably one Ashes series when he bowled himself into the ground and we still lost.

MacGill may still return to form tomorrow. After all his stats are about as good as Warne’s.

Will,

Mitchell Johnson is not part of Australia’s top order. He’s a bowler, you know.

Elliott wrote:
May 27th, 2008 at 2.05 pm

Perhaps is wasnt actully the nightwatch man in that test, mayby he actully has been promoted up the order infront of Symo…

Michael wrote:
June 2nd, 2008 at 4.16 pm

He’s not a top order bat but he can bat a bit. Doesn’t matter; we were still 5 down for less than 20 for the first time in about three thousand years. That was pretty big news.

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West Indies need 287