uncertainty comes excitement. So it must be a good thing that we don’t quite know what to expect at Edgbaston over the next few days. We do know
Tony Gwynn Authentic Jersey that the ball is pink, that ticket sales are good and that it might be a good idea to bring a jumper (and maybe a blanket and a balaclava for the final session, which will probably end around 9.30pm every evening). Even better: get an invitation to a swish, warm hospitality box. We are less sure about how the pink ball will behave or how good this West Indies team will be. There has been a rapprochement of sorts between the players and the West Indies board, though that is not obvious from the Test squad selected. While the youngsters in the touring party prepare to do battle with England’s finest in Birmingham (the leg-spinner, Devendra Bishoo, is the only man over 30 in the tour party), the more familiar names are participating in the Caribbean Premier League. Understandably the older players are pondering their pensions. Pink balls and a witching hour: what to expect at England’s first day-night Test Read more The expectation is that England will win the series and that West Indies will be less of a challenge than South Africa. The tour manager, Joel Garner, has warned us not to underestimate his team and it has never been a great idea to argue with this genial giant. But he is bound to say that. The sources of optimism for West Indian fans are limited but they do exist. The last time these two sides met in Bridgetown, Barbados, in May 2015 West Indies won by five wickets to square the series. Five from that side are likely to be in action on Thursday at Edgbaston (compared to England’s six from two years ago). Moreover West Indies, unlike England, have already experienced a day-night Test match in October 2016, though whether the parallels between Dubai and Edgbaston are especially relevant remains to be
http://www.authenticsandiegopadres.com/Trevor-Cahill-Jersey seen. That was a remarkable game, albeit watched by a paltry crowd that never reached four figures. Pakistan scored 579 for three in their first innings with Azhar Ali registering a triple century, and 123 all out in their second with Bishoo taking eight for 48. As a consequence West Indies had an unlikely chance to win though in the end they fell short by 56 runs. Advertisement Over the last three years the West Indian bowling attack has remained relatively constant and occasionally dangerous. They will probably have the fastest bowlers in the match at Edgbaston in the contrasting shapes of Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel, provided the latter has corrected the no-ball problems that surfaced at Derby. These two pacemen will be supported by Jason Holder, who has had to learn about the trials of captaincy rapidly, something he has done with great maturity even though his side loses more games than they win. West Indies also possess the most experienced leg-spinner in the two squads if they choose to play him. Bishoo was playing first-class cricket when Mason Crane was just a chick. The other option is a four-man pace attack including the 20-year-old Alzarri Joseph, supported by the off-breaks of the all-rounder Roston Chase. But, on paper at least, the batting looks callow. Their recent middle order has often included Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels and even Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose last Test coincided with that victory over England on Barbados two years ago. Now there may be a star in that middle order capable of supporting the tenacious
http://www.authenticbuffalosabres.com/authentic-kyle-okposo-jersey Kraigg Brathwaite at the top – Chase has started his Test career impressively – but one cannot be sure of that. By the same token there are a few uncertainties within the England camp. Mark Stoneman becomes Alastair Cook’s 12th opening partner since his union with Andrew Strauss came to an end in August 2012. At 30 Stoneman will be the oldest debutant to walk out alongside Cook, which may be an asset. It has now reached a stage – even among cricket followers – when it is easier to name the wives of Henry VIII than all of Cook’s partners. Mark Stoneman’s debut against West Indies offers chance of Ashes place Read more Of his 11 previous companions at the top of the order, post-Strauss, Joe Root, inevitably, had the most consistent returns – and averaged 41 there – but the best of the rest, most of whom are young enough to have another go, are a long way off such respectability: they are Haseeb Hameed (Test average 32 at the top of the order), who will be monitored closely when Championship cricket finally resumes, Nick Compton (31) and Sam Robson (30). No doubt Stoneman was unhappy to be overlooked earlier in the summer but the timing of his selection could not be much better for someone who craves the unique challenge of an Ashes tour. Now he is surely guaranteed to play all three Tests against West Indies. Two scores of significance against them might be enough to get him on the plane to Australia. As an opening batsman of some experience Stoneman will be looking on at the toss with special interest on Thursday afternoon. The current theory about day-night cricket is that it is best to bat in the first session rather than in the twilight hours. Further down the order Dawid Malan, after two barren Tests against South Africa, will get at least one more chance after England resisted the possibility of picking Chris Woakes, or even Crane, in his place. Meanwhile the England and Wales Cricket Board, an organisation which often gives the impression
Adidas Linus Ullmark Jersey that they think they can control the weather judging by some of their scheduling, will be hoping for some unusually balmy Birmingham nights
