Sammy has always presented himself as a coach who selects his team based on the conditions - horses for courses he says. Yet it increasingly appears that there are certain players who are guaranteed a place regardless of fitness or how their inclusion affects the team's balance.

In this second Test against Pakistan, it seems we went in with both of our all-rounders carrying injuries that have significantly limited their bowling. On a pitch offering assistance to the spinners, Hodge has ended up bowling more overs than Chase, who is supposed to be the team's spinning all-rounder. Greaves also appears to be injured and unable to bowl.

With three other quality fast bowlers in the side, Greaves' lack of bowling is easier to absorb. The bigger concern is the spin department. If Chase isn't fit enough to make a meaningful contribution with the ball on a turning wicket, would Joshua Bishop then have been the better selection?

@b4u8me2

Greaves got injured when batting going for a quick single!

Most/many fans cannot understand how Warrican, not only got picked but was also blessed with the VC job. Now we see the absolute favoritism facing us. The more things change the more they get worse.

@CCW

Oh, that's what happened to Greaves? Thanks for that. I missed that.

@b4u8me2

yep very unfortunate an he's been sorely missed!

@b4u8me2

I asked the Joshua Bishop question on the first morning

Do we now see that Chase being unable to bowl was a big error. Warrican did his part but he needed support. Playing Chase to bat at number 7 wasn't more beneficial than playing Bishop who could have also contributed with the bat and actually bowl spin on this spinners wicket. Also, why the hell did we prepared a spinners wicket!!!!

Think it is abundantly clear that the experiment of Hope as test wicketkeeper is a doomed idea.

He scored 10 and 15 in his second innings plus looked tired and non committed in each one.

I also think he is far too passive for the role which he leaves to Greaves.

All we are doing is shortening his career which would be a shame as he is our premium batsman.

@Conorboy

Good point.

When Sri Lanka began relying heavily on the batting of Sanga, he gave up the gloves in Test cricket.

Some of us always opposed the idea of Shai keeping wicket in Test cricket.

Shai Hope keeping in Tests is madness when you consider how brittle our batting can be. I rather have a ready to go Shai Hope than a tired one. It feels like they trying to squeeze extra batting in with Hope keeping.

@Conorboy

To much to be wk in all three formats captaining two and also key batsman .really i woud have not played him in this match the wi know they cant lose the series.

@velo

Burnout coming soon.

We can argue about the selection and rightly so, it should be debated. However, Pakistan will likely draw this series due to one massive error by CWI. Once again, as it was a few years ago when India toured, they roll out another slow, low turner. It suits the tourists...NOT the home side, who have a potent fast bowling attack.

Give yourselves the best chance to win and make the Caribbean as difficult a place to visit as possible for touring sides...HOME field advantage, not touring team advantage.

@4REALQUICKS

Well made points on cricinfo.

😀

@mikesiva

Yes, they posted my comment there too I saw that.

Unfortunately...and it pains me to say it...but this game looks gone...a track similar to the one in Tarouba and we'd probably already be toasting a 2-0 series win.