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ramnaresh-sarwan
Khan to the rescue?
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-March, 4 Comments »
The start made to Test cricket yesterday by England’s most recent pace bowling attempt Amjad Khan will have provided fans with a touch of consternation. Five no-balls, including three in his opening over, indicated a nervous start and Khan conceded 27 off his four overs in the fading Trinidad light. It was almost as if the man he has edged ahead of, Steve Harmison, had given Khan that same advice that Harmison himself was given on that fateful Brisbane morning in 2006.
What a relief, then, for England fans the next morning. Soon after Stuart Broad had removed night-watchman Daren Powell for a duck, Khan was brought on and picked up the prized wicket of West Indian run machine Ramnaresh Sarwan, bowling fast, full and, most importantly, straight. Not only were the nerves of yesterday evening gone, he had also removed Sarwan, a man who has not just been a thorn in England’s side but rather sticking right the way through them as he plundered run after run after run.
Khan’s spell this morning had all the verve and potential that England have desperately needed this series. The pitches have been slow, about as slow as a Brendan Nash over, and wickets have been hard to come by. Now I don’t assume at all that Khan is the sole answer to England winning this Test but his style of bowling is probably just what they need on these types of surfaces. There is also the possibility of reverse swing, which will have bowling experts licking their lips. Reverse swing – that key component that England have sought after ever since Simon Jones brutally harassed the Australians in 2005. Khan has also slipped in a few excellent short balls; fast, well directed and with just about enough controlled aggression to trouble the West Indians.
It’s still early on this third day but the wicket of Sarwan will have boosted England and they will be growing ever so slightly in confidence as a result. A long way to go still, but Khan may be on the correct path to helping bring England level in this series.
4 Comments »Just for one more wicket
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-February, No Comments; be the first!
What a match. When everyone arrived at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium last Friday, you could have scarcely believed the turn of events that would progress over the next few days. In the end, we were treated to a fantastic Test match, culminating in a brilliant last day in which England tried and tried and ultimately came up short.
One can point to Andrew Flintoff’s hip injury, which, despite his lion-hearted, heroic effort, slightly hindered his bowling. However, to say that it lost England the game is inaccurate. They bossed the game and the only time they let the West Indies get on top was the mammoth partnership between the high scoring Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. You can argue that having dominated the game and then not been able to win it shows England for the slightly weakened force they may well be nowadays but in the wake of the Jamaica shambles, the performance was pretty impressive.
Particular highlights? Graeme Swann’s display in both innings was highly impressive and was exactly what England fans have been praying for from Monty Panesar in the last few years. His five-wicket haul was the focal point of England’s first attempt at bowling to the Windies and was agonisingly close to picking up that final wicket in the dying moments of the match.
Stuart Broad also impressed. He’s picked up Chanderpaul’s wicket every time he has batted this series and bowled an inspired spell with the new ball on the final day. He batted brilliantly for a number eight in the first innings and Johnathan Agnew on the BBC website was moved to say that he thinks this series could be the making of Broad at international level. Andrew Strauss played a quite superb innings on the first day and was well supported by Owais Shah, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood. Alistair Cook played his part too although, infuriatingly, he was out in the 50’s in both innings of the match.
All in all, England can be proud of their effort. Yes, the inability to pick up the last wicket and win the game was both heart-breaking and disappointing but the whole five days were a good way to bounce back from the shambles of 51 all out the week previous and Strauss will know a lot more about his team and their character. Both teams move on to Barbados next week for the fourth test.
No Comments »All to play for
By Mark Tilley last year, at the start of February, 20 Comments »
The first test is evenly poised – England were slightly disappointing with the bat but still managed to post a competitive total. With the ball, they were admirable but the gargantuan partnership between Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan meant that damage limitation was always going to be the objective. Having said that, England fought their way back into it, led by the irrepressible Andrew Flintoff.
The fourth day looms with the West Indies holding a slender 34 run lead, with three wickets left. If England can wrap up the innings quickly then a good second innings could set up a victory charge on the final day. However, Brendan Nash currently stands in their way, having repelled everything England threw at him last night in a painfully slow but important innings. If the Windies can forge a lead of over 60 or 70 then the pressure will all be on England.
England? Pressure? No problem. It’s not like they’re prone to a batting collapse when trying to save the game, although Adelaide in 2006 and Hamilton in 2008 do spring to mind. However, having put the mockers on England, my money is on the draw. The Windies have looked impressive so far, much more disciplined than what many have come to expect from them. England have fought it out but haven’t been at their best and with two days to go, the only chance of a victory for either team is a massive effort from whoever wants it most. Like I said, I think they’ll settle on a draw and move on.
Thoughts on the outcome of the game?
20 Comments »Sarwan and Gayle’s tour diary blog
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of October, 3 Comments »
Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle are blogging their Champions Trophy thoughts at Cricinfo, which is worth keeping an eye on. See here.
3 Comments »West Indies v India, 4th Test, 3rd day
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of July, No Comments; be the first!
Fascinating Test match at Kingston. West Indies wrapped things up pretty quickly to dismiss India for 171. That left Windies 269 but they’ve already lost four – including Brian Lara and Shiv Chanderpaul.
All is not lost, as Ramnaresh Sarwan – the guts of the side, as far as I’m concerned; the real bare-knuckled streetfighter – is still there on 43, and they need another 164 to win. One thing’s certain: it won’t be a draw.
Money’s on India, but COME ON Windies! Live scorecard.
Update: bugger. Sarwan gone for 51.
No Comments »West Indies v India, 3rd Test
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of June, 1 Comment »
Now then, now then, now then. The West Indies are racing along in the third Test, which has been good to watch. After Daren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan both brought up their hundreds, India struck back to reduce the West Indies from 346 for 1 to 420 for 5. Regardless, a fairly splendid effort from West Indies (who we like, lots, here down the Corridor. Get down with the Corridor, in fact).
The series is level at 0-0 with one further Test to play after this one, which looks like rain could force a premature end.
1 Comment »Sarwan sinks India
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of May, No Comments; be the first!
As I’ve said far too many times, I’m a big West Indies fan and it was brilliant to see them sink India yesterday thanks to Ramnaresh Sarwan. Come on, Windies! Ryan reckons he’s coming of age, is Sarwan…
I didn’t see any of his innings, for reasons which I’ll explain later this week, but by all reports it was pretty damn fine.
No Comments »Chanderpaul resigns as West Indies captain
By Scott 4 years ago, mid-April, 1 Comment »
He’s made the move to concentrate on his batting. That is probably a good move- when he was in Australia last summer, he was a shadow of his fomer self. West Indies will have to think long term about his replacement. I’d bet on Ramnaresh Sarwan if forced to guess.
1 Comment »