I think he has to .. Pow is no opener and was very lucky to stay as long as he did last night.

Correct that, Pow is no batsman. If Sarwan is fit then either X or sammy should open. If not then X open and Sammy 3

Since Hinds is no longer opening and no spot for Pow in the middle, then Sammy has to play, even if he opens. At least we can rely on him to throw in 10 overs. If Sarwan cant play, then maybe the X man comes back, although Powells experience and power as a clean up hitter is very useful.

In terms of batting and bowling, Samuels is far superior to Pow Pow.. So why was he dropped for Pow Pow? Samuels must come back into the team for the next game.

This as easy as kissing hands. 1. Xavier was one of top 2 batsmen in regional OD series. Gayle, Hinds, Powell ALL played in that series. None of them was the other top batsman in that series. 2. Xavier was taken to VB as an opening batsman. 3. Xavier is a better batsman than Powell, Samuels, or the 2 of them combined. 4. Hinds is not a good opener in ODI. If not for his bowling, he would struggle to make the team. One good score once in a blue moon not good enough. 5. Gayle is unreliable. One score of 50+ in every 10 innings or so is not doing the job. 6. Powell is not an opening batsman, neither is he a reliable batsman. 7. Xavier cannot do worse than Hinds, Gayle or Powell. Put it all together and there is only one answer. Xavier must play in his rightful position. Xavier must open the batting. 8)

[url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2004-05/OD_TOURNEYS/VBS/STATS/VBS_JAN-FEB2005_ODI_AVS_WI.html]V&B Stats to date- you decide[/url]

In reply to Chrissy Lawd chrisyy. I go need to do some serious maths to decide based on dem stats...Cos Sammy and Pow Pow average is just about de same and de X-man only get 1 game. I say unleash the youth

In reply to redbaron If Gayle scores 50 once ever 10 innings why is his avg close to 40? I guess Ganga scores a 50 once every 100 innings?

chanderpaul has got to open in the next game. he's in top form and our top order needs someone who can rotate the strike if gayle or one of the other big hitters get's going at the top. Marlon may also have to bat at four with lara coming at three to break up all those left handers. Chris gayle really needs a good score to take some of the pressure off the middle order. powell should play. i would want a guy with more experience and he's a better fielder under pressure. marshall was a little nerveous in the field and pak were hitting balls right at him and turing for two. So i'll play powell and hopes he's only needed to bat in the last ten. i'll say it one more time someone needs a big score otherwise that middle just a crack under pressure. My team if sarwan can't play. 1) gayle 2) Chanderpaul 3) Lara 4) hinds 5) Samuels 6) Marshall/ powell 7)Bravo 8)Brown 9)bradshaw 10)collins 11)King

In reply to gunplay: Not a bad team. I agree with Lara at #3. Shiv can open but I prefer De X-man to open. My team if sarwan can't play. 1) gayle 2) Marshall 3) Lara 4) Chanderpaul 5) hinds 6) powell/ Samuels 7)Bravo 8)Brown 9)bradshaw 10)collins 11)King

We've been searching for openers for eons now and we still keep trying people that we know will NEVER fill the role. Shiv, Powell, Hinds, Ganga...openers? Xavier got on this tour due to his prowess opening, so where is he!!!

In reply to TanteMerle i can live with that squad but someone needs a really big score at the top. Between gayle and marshall someone has to step up to the plate and bat like they life depended on it. i wouldn't want to give pak the upperhand if we're two down again and need the middle to do all the work like they did last time. i doubt pak would sit back like they did and allow that to happen again. fifity something for two. sarwan off injured and you've got one slip????????? that was really poor by the captain.

In reply to Dre_Day Powell is no batsman and should be dropped from WI team permanently.Marshall should be opening and if Gayle doesn't come good for the rest of this series he should be dropped for the SA series and replaced with Shiv or Devon Smith.

In reply to redbaron Unreliable for now and he should be dropped if he doesn't come good depending on how this series goes as I outlined in my thread.Your head is too far Ganga's rear end how can Gayle deliver 1 in 10 innings for his career and still be in WI team talk some sense man.Only Lara has a better career consistency for WI current batsmen than Gayle.