by SEAN GILBERT

As is so often the case, the West Indies saved their best for last, when the series was already decided. Although they were still outclassed by Australia, Lara's double century ensured that the match made it into the fifth day, no mean feat in recent times. In fact, but for rather one sided display of shoddy umpiring the West Indies could easily have drawn this match, and just possibly pulled off a win.

The bright lights were Lara, of course, but also Bravo the bowler and Bravo the batsman, Ramdin still looking the part of a wicketkeeper batsman, and Corey Collymore's steadfast professionalism. These were tempered by Chanderpaul's thoroughly inadequate captaincy, the assorted failures of all the batsmen except Lara, and the impotence of the young bowlers.

Sean I guess posters have moved on now but I will take time to make a few comments as you were kind enough to put time into the assessment...I think though that this assessment of the team is most important as it is of the last test...There is little to disagree with but I will still share some different thoughts... I feel Bravo deserved an A+ ...Simply an outstanding performance by the young man...there are two important things about him you did not mention...One he thinks about his game in the process of the match...He is not small and stylish like some of our batting greats nor is tall and imposing like the bowling greats...he is average physically but his mind makes up for all that. Second admirable trait is that he does not appear to get bugged down by the negative team atmosphere...That helps him transcend all the politics and he even bring alongs some of the less heavy and earth bound guys with him. Here is to hoping that he and Ramdin too can find ways to keep injuries at the gate. Maybe Yoga or Pilates or something so...I hope they realise they gone have to do it themselves....I hope Brian also has a chat or two with Bravo re this concern. Darren Powells grade is a grade too high...his grade should not be better than Dwayne Smith's....His bowling was equal to Dwayne's batting...the things they are employed to do...Also Fidel who did a similar or even better job with the bat than Powell and whose bowling was better as far the result column goes got a D+ too.... I suspect Darren needs to be all juiced up on some kinna emotion for him to do as well as his ability...He did well in SL; I am thinking it is b/c he was quite emotional about the reaction to his decision to go...he bowled well in the last match when the guys were defiant sort of of Bowden's nonsense. His bowling has been a real disappointment this series after having a relatively good series in SL. He showed real signs of improvement there.. Oh and by the way is "F" the grade that follows "E" or "Fs" are not part of grading scheme? :lol: :P

Completely rubbish decision to give Powell a better rating than Edwards. Powell did nothing, whilst Edwards at least took some wickets. Bravo deserved an A+ as well as Lara.

i can only laugh eh What has devon Smith done for a D of any kind????????? stupseeeeeeeeee Why Fidel Get a D+ ?? say what - did you watch the game?? Powell a C+?? for ??? anyways ur grades.... :cry: :cry:

[url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ausvwi/content/story/227638.html]copycats to rhatid[/url] Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! By the way SLP you're correct - Fidel bowled way better than DP.

In reply to SamlordPirate Correct bro.........well well..........

Sean Which part of that c+ of Powell's is bowling?? :roll: :roll:

In reply to SamlordPirate It's seems harder for a Windward Islands player to get a run in a Windies team than for camel to pass through the eye of the needle. The knives have been out for Devon within a couple of days of his first innings 80 in the first test. But i would put it to you anti-Devon people that in the few chances he has had at bat he has made more significant innnings against the best bowling in the world that Gayle and W.Hinds, neither of whom are likely to be able to adapt enought to ever become reliable openers. Devon's half century (cut short by another blatant Kuertzen robbery) in his very first test against a quality Australian attack was a gutsy performance, especially sign he got such negative body language from his opening partner, who obvioulsy felt that his Jamaican compatriot should have been there in his place. But his century on an extremely difficult Sabina pitch against the combined threat of Harmison, at his express best, Hoggard, Jones and Flintoff set him apart - literally. No other batsman got close to a century in that series against the English attack until the run feast at the Recreation Ground. He was again on his own in scoring his 80+ in the first test. Smith is the man we must invest in as opener. Please give him the type of time to settle that has been afforded to the Sarwans, Gayles and Hinds.

In reply to Flickcan I can't argue with Sean's ratings except when it comes to Powell. But I have to admit that I have developed a thing against this guy - I just do not like to see him, particularly when he his clapping his hands in that Digicel ad. I also had him to drop after he started to stare up into the statosphere trying to follow the big six that Bret Lee hit off him in the first test. Then there was the foiled runout effort against MacGill in this last test. The guy just does too many retarded looking things. But if you ask me for cricketing justification I got plenty of that too - as was mentioned earlier in this post he needs to be juiced up to do anything and he can't do it for very long. More often than not he comes on and releases the pressure with loose, unthreatening bowling.

The thing I love the most about Powell's bowling is the confused look on his face right after he's been hit by a batsman or, as is often the case, a tailender. I can't help but think of Chrissy and "huh?". Arawak

In reply to Logic I don't know if I agree with you all about powell...i can't put my finger on it and he was pretty much innocuous, but I just feel he has the potential to spark...his control is good...he obviously has a brain which we see when he's batting...I just wish that amongst the 500 aussies BK has added to the paylist...i can't help wondering why he never felt a bowling coach should be there?? I also think that Devon has a right to be given 2-3 more tours, at least....and of course you have a right to ask the question re hinds...but don't forget it doesn't take the rest of the world long to work out our batsmen and its up to them to change or adjust accordingly. Which is why ronnie does well until he plays that god awful hook shot... gayle is never going to get technically better ...somedays he'll win, some he'll lose and if you're going to keep him there, you need solidity at the other end. Lara, Bravo, Ramdin and Collymore just warm my heart...say no more and last but not least... Take away the responsibility of captaincy from chanders in such a way that he doesn't feel devastated, and he'll be right back on track. Folks he can't handle it, mentally...lets not throw away our steadiest batsman for a cell phone...he has a good 4-5 years to give us as Mr Reliable The only people who needed an F were the umpires...all bar none... the WICB, who need an F where it hurts...and BK...what has he done for us lately??

In reply to Logic bro - i ama fan of Devon Smith - I stil lbeleive that he can be the deal but F he continue wid that stupid edge to slip each time he batting - he gine lose a fan I just caan understand the purose of SIR G in the team's administrative setup and this sorta crap sill happening i geying he two more series...score runs or thru the door... we can try anudda one.. 8)

It seems that there is still a fair degree of insularity in this forum as manifested by the constant bashing of one cricketer or another by posters who do not hail from the cricketer(s) homeland. I doubt if anyone in this forum has played test cricket which is not to say that they are not entitled to their opinions. However, it might be well worth re-visiting the assessment made by none other than the great Andy Roberts regarding Powell. I daresay that I would be more inclined to accept Andy's belief that Powell is by and large a key bowler in the WINDIES line-up. Whatever has caused him to under-perform in the 3 tests cannot be found in the negative verbiage spewed all over this forum. The same situation applies to Chris Gayle. Here we have a player who has scored a triple century as an opener and has taken some wickets with his offspin being relegated by posters below Devon Smith who has yet to show any real mettle against genuine pace. Lest it be forgotten, Smith has also had a few chances in the past and the reason why he has been in and out of the team can easily be found by reviewing his performance. As they say use facts and not emotions. Yes he scored a useful 80+ runs at the 'Gabba but managed a mere 25% of that amount in the following 5 innings. Despite this fact I believe he should remain in the team and be given more opportunities to see if he is in fact a test opener. Edwards has real pace but unfortunately is not strong enough to maintain his hostility for prolonged periods. There are equally fast and stronger bowlers back in the Caribbean who should be considered as well - Andrew Richardson is one who comes to mind. I would not give Lara an A+ as one innings in six do not amount to such a high rating. Emotions has no place in making assessments of anyone or anything. Finally, I am not one who is concerned about records as sooner or later such will be surpassed. Instead, the focus ought to be on getting the team to perform consistently instead of isolated pockets of individual brilliance. What has made the Aussies and recently the Pommies so much better than the WINDIES is that the former two play as a team!!

In reply to Arawak

In reply to Fortis hey: You don't grow intelligence. This was the quickie best chance to prove theit metal. G

In reply to Fortis

Mr. Sean Gilbert. I wonda whey ya frum. In all fairness ta you, ya assessment is ya opinion and we shood respeck dat. However therein lies a big problem, ya opinion. How could a man gat tief out, field superb, bowl well, and receive similar grade to a man who batted poorly, and field like a skunt. BTW I mean Matrix and Blinds. I really doan no what ta make of ya assessment. Sars is VC and gat out stupidly in de furst. Field poorly, missing a catch in de furst ova, not trying to uplift de players in de ozzie furts innings, etc. He did bowl well, but as VC did he demand mo bowling, or let dat skunt Shiv bowl oddas. Fa a VC, his pisspoor furst two days, outshone he 2nd inning tief out and all. He get a facking E. I could go on and on but, why. Bowle gets a facking F, BTW. Fa dis assessment you, get a facking D. But, keep up de good effort. :lol:

In reply to Fortis

In reply to Fortis

In reply to Chrissy

In reply to Arawak And you would be correct in rating one mediocre batsman against his equal. :wink:

Is "steadfast professionalism" a new euphemism for "abject failure"???? Does it accurately describe the abysmal incompetence of Collyevenmoremediocrethanever, his inability to out tailenders, his expensive 8 wickets at 36.50 each? And the player who is second in both batting and bowling, he gets only A, not A+???? Gilbert gets an FF from me. Facting Failure. :roll:

In reply to redbaron You realise the headline is: WI v Aus: Third Test Report Card . It's not a series review. Having trouble reading there?

In reply to Chrissy Talk to me when darlin' daren can break the 120 run barrier, let alone 300. Arawak

I concede that the Lara rating for the 3rd. test is in fact correct. I find Chrissy's postings amusing rather than disappointing, as I still believe she knows something about cricket. To reiterate, Devon Smith is not as good an opener as Chris Gayle. Maybe some time in the future he will improve, but currently his place in the team is not assured. Chrissy - You do not have a clue about "FORTIS". You may be living in JA. but I can assure you the term "insular" is as distant from that noble North St. institution as the earth is from the sun. To the contrary, the legacy of the "College" is one of reaching out and helping others, not bashing or ostracizing same. Fortis Always!

FIDEL CARD Needs to be remark. Because. Based on overs, maidens, runs , Wickets Powell 24 6 80 0 Powell 14 2 40 1 Edwards 23 4 114 3 1st Innings Edwards 11 1 52 0 McGrath 30 3 106 3 1st Innings I woul not give McGrath a D+ for his first innings figures, would you? I therefore call for a Remark Fiidel. This MARKING scheme is the usual harsh and hopeless approach to annalising WI CRICKET of late. STAY BLESSED!

JUST clarifying what I just said