Kamlesh Barjati
Banned
- Joined
- 26 May 2011
- Messages
- 1,087
- Reaction score
- 31
WINDSOR PARK (Dominica): Of all Caribbean islands that contribute to West Indies cricket, Dominica - that plays host to the newly constructed Windsor Park Stadium - is easily the least prominent one where history of the game and those who played it are concerned.
In fact, the stadium isn't just meant for cricket. Constructed by the Chinese in 2007, it is a multi-purpose facility and cricket is a recent addition to the list of sports the venue can host.
Unlike the Sabina Park and Kensington Oval, nothing about this venue is seeped in history. So, the two teams, India especially, have to take fresh guard.
Dominica may be a less imposing venue when compared to the Sabina Park and the Kensington Oval, but the conditions may not be too different. Like both those stadiums, even the Windsor Park is located close to the sea and therefore wind along with the ever-threatening prospect of rain are always a possibility. Wind will be more of a factor as the stadium is only partially covered.
Expect Praveen Kumar to get as much swing as he got in the first two Tests.
The Windsor Park is also similar to the previous two venues where bounce is concerned. West Indies captain Darren Sammy says the venue "has always assisted fast bowlers" and he expects nothing different this time around.
Tus, one can expect Ishant Sharma to put up another good show in this series.
The hosts, from the beginning of this series, and the visitors who have just about reached and got a feel of the wicket, can expect familiar conditions when the Test begins here on Wednesday. While Sammy will look to once again play his role in the shadow of two fast bowlers - Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul, MS Dhoni will once again go back to asking Munaf Patel the question if he's fit.
There's been no news from the India camps as yet over the fragile bowler's fitness. It'll be interesting if Dhoni would think of dropping Abhimanyu Mithun, Munaf's replacement in the eleven at Oval, if the senior bowler can play. Mithun certainly looked ordinary in the last Test and while wickets came his way, there was nothing much for the batsman to counter -- both in terms of pace and swing -- except for the bowler maintaining a single good line throughout.
Sarwan dropped
The West Indies meanwhile have replaced struggling batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan with 21-year-old Leeward Island batsman Kieran Powell.
Sarwan had managed just 54 runs in the four innings against Pakistan and 29 against India in the first two Tests. The selectors have replaced him with Powell, who has played two one-dayers for the West Indies in 2009.
Rain in Dominica
It doesn't look like the third Test will be void of rain either. Like Barbados, the clouds have been looming large over the island of Dominica too and unpredictable rain seems to be the only predictable thing here. A hilly terrain surrounds the stadium and the sea breeze ensures frequent showers here from June onwards.
With the fear of rain already hovering above, both teams need to consider that. The Barbados Test saw at least six-and-half hours of play being washed away, something that eventually didn't help a result between the two teams.
Webster's working
Sammy feels that Rudi Webster's motivational lectures to batsmen and the therapy that is currently on to help the West Indies team play more positively, is working on the team. The hosts came up with a far more improved batting performance in the last Test at the Kensington Oval and this was the first game for Sammy's men after bringing Rudi on board.
The senior psychoanalyst hails from Barbados and has worked with former West Indians cricketers of the 70s and 80s. "Ya, I'm sure the time that we're spending with Webster is helping," Sammy said, after giving India a good fight in the second Test.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-west-indies/top-stories/India-West-Indies-3rd-Test-pitch-likely-to-help-pacers/articleshow/9105594.cms
In fact, the stadium isn't just meant for cricket. Constructed by the Chinese in 2007, it is a multi-purpose facility and cricket is a recent addition to the list of sports the venue can host.
Unlike the Sabina Park and Kensington Oval, nothing about this venue is seeped in history. So, the two teams, India especially, have to take fresh guard.
Dominica may be a less imposing venue when compared to the Sabina Park and the Kensington Oval, but the conditions may not be too different. Like both those stadiums, even the Windsor Park is located close to the sea and therefore wind along with the ever-threatening prospect of rain are always a possibility. Wind will be more of a factor as the stadium is only partially covered.
Expect Praveen Kumar to get as much swing as he got in the first two Tests.
The Windsor Park is also similar to the previous two venues where bounce is concerned. West Indies captain Darren Sammy says the venue "has always assisted fast bowlers" and he expects nothing different this time around.
Tus, one can expect Ishant Sharma to put up another good show in this series.
The hosts, from the beginning of this series, and the visitors who have just about reached and got a feel of the wicket, can expect familiar conditions when the Test begins here on Wednesday. While Sammy will look to once again play his role in the shadow of two fast bowlers - Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul, MS Dhoni will once again go back to asking Munaf Patel the question if he's fit.
There's been no news from the India camps as yet over the fragile bowler's fitness. It'll be interesting if Dhoni would think of dropping Abhimanyu Mithun, Munaf's replacement in the eleven at Oval, if the senior bowler can play. Mithun certainly looked ordinary in the last Test and while wickets came his way, there was nothing much for the batsman to counter -- both in terms of pace and swing -- except for the bowler maintaining a single good line throughout.
Sarwan dropped
The West Indies meanwhile have replaced struggling batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan with 21-year-old Leeward Island batsman Kieran Powell.
Sarwan had managed just 54 runs in the four innings against Pakistan and 29 against India in the first two Tests. The selectors have replaced him with Powell, who has played two one-dayers for the West Indies in 2009.
Rain in Dominica
It doesn't look like the third Test will be void of rain either. Like Barbados, the clouds have been looming large over the island of Dominica too and unpredictable rain seems to be the only predictable thing here. A hilly terrain surrounds the stadium and the sea breeze ensures frequent showers here from June onwards.
With the fear of rain already hovering above, both teams need to consider that. The Barbados Test saw at least six-and-half hours of play being washed away, something that eventually didn't help a result between the two teams.
Webster's working
Sammy feels that Rudi Webster's motivational lectures to batsmen and the therapy that is currently on to help the West Indies team play more positively, is working on the team. The hosts came up with a far more improved batting performance in the last Test at the Kensington Oval and this was the first game for Sammy's men after bringing Rudi on board.
The senior psychoanalyst hails from Barbados and has worked with former West Indians cricketers of the 70s and 80s. "Ya, I'm sure the time that we're spending with Webster is helping," Sammy said, after giving India a good fight in the second Test.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-west-indies/top-stories/India-West-Indies-3rd-Test-pitch-likely-to-help-pacers/articleshow/9105594.cms
