After a boring IPL, and a host of limited overs series' over the months, Test cricket is finally back when West indies take on the kiwis at the Sabina park. To all the cricket enthusiast who were waiting for test cricket there is no better day to watch the first day of Test cricket on sunday.
It is said that TEST CRICKET IS THE FORM OF CRICKET WHICH SEPARATES THE MEN FROM THE BOYS. West indies who have been a force to reckon with in the t20's are a completely different side when it comes to test cricket. Can the bigger names adapt to the conditions. Apart from Shivnarine Chanderpaul, none of the batsmen can be trusted.
The test series hold an specific importance in both the cricketing countries when Denesh Ramdin will look to start his reign as captain. Christopher Henry Gayle is set to make his 100th appearance in whites whereas fully fit Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach are back in the side.
On the other hand, NZ's weakness against spin isn't unnoticed. Will Taylor and Williamson help them overcome this weakness against a rejuvenated Shillingford who has single-handedly taken bulk of the wickets for 12 or so months now.
Lets look at their squads now.
It is said that TEST CRICKET IS THE FORM OF CRICKET WHICH SEPARATES THE MEN FROM THE BOYS. West indies who have been a force to reckon with in the t20's are a completely different side when it comes to test cricket. Can the bigger names adapt to the conditions. Apart from Shivnarine Chanderpaul, none of the batsmen can be trusted.
The test series hold an specific importance in both the cricketing countries when Denesh Ramdin will look to start his reign as captain. Christopher Henry Gayle is set to make his 100th appearance in whites whereas fully fit Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach are back in the side.
On the other hand, NZ's weakness against spin isn't unnoticed. Will Taylor and Williamson help them overcome this weakness against a rejuvenated Shillingford who has single-handedly taken bulk of the wickets for 12 or so months now.
Lets look at their squads now.
West Indies
Denesh Ramdin (capt), Sulieman Benn, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle,Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford, Jerome Taylor and Jason Holder.
New Zealand
Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (capt), Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi.
Strengths:
West Indies: Any team is formidable at home and with the big man playing his 100th test at his home ground, a lot must be expected from him in this test.. We'll get to see the ever so dependable Shivnarine Chanderpaul in whites again. This guy gets better with age. A fully fit Jerome Taylor is a treat to watch
New Zealand: New Zealand's batting revolves around Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. Baz can use the long handle to great effect too. With the evolution of Neil Wagner, Trent Boult and Tim Southee this unit looks a perfect pace trio as they are called TNT.
Weakness:
West Indies: One cannot guarantee which Shillingford might turn up after all the accusations about his action. Gayle can never be trusted in Tests whereas Denesh Ramdin has not been tested as a captain. So it will be difficult for west indies to get used to test cricket just after most of their players have returned from the IPL.
New Zealand: We all know how destructive Baz is but the problem with him is that he shows flashes of brilliance in test cricket but he is not that consistent. They have not got a quality spinner in. Ish Sodhi with 6 caps is their 1st spinner. It will be very difficult for this team to find a guy who can fill Vettori's shoes.
All in all a great game of cricket that we an enjoy. Personally I think this wil be a draw looking at the attack of both teams and considering how slow the Jamaica wicket is.
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