Selectors had nothing to do with the loss

Yes, Narine and Blackwood should have been on the team and Shilly should not have.

But that is irrelevant.

Chasing 300 in 95 overs is easy for any six mediocre batsmen. That's 3 little singles an over.

The fact is, Gayle has no technique, cant bat and crumbles under pressure, Chanders looked out of sorts and uncomfortable against the NZ pacers and Bravo and Edwards have major problems knicking or flailing at everything on the off-side.

Paint was the only man in the top order who looked composed and comfortable. As pointless as Ramdin's innings was, he also looked positive, though he faced an old ball.

No amount of selecting or chop and changing can help you if your top batsmen cant take 3 singles an over, cant identify or rectify their own weaknesses and cant realize that the opposition is targeting these weaknesses.

Selection and coaching - problems in their own right - can only go so far.

You dont get it . do you ??

repeat after me : C-H-E-M-I-S-T-R-Y  !

Chemistry of a Winning XI :

must NEVER be changed .......BUT the Selectors are unaccustomed to a WIN.

Hence , they chop and fcuk up the winning Team chemistry that results in a LOSS ....

Unnastan ????

Samjay ?

Capiche ???????

Blackwood brought energy in his Fielding and batting and provided a SPARK.

Knowing they Won, even with the mediocre Gabriel ........says he Belonged.

Then de SELECTORS change the Chemical Equation.

What happened in the Lab ??

It BLOW up in dem face 

The mathematics is correct TRINIDADDY but with Sammy in the team the cry was to have a balanced team with the opportunity to play your best players.


To that extent the selectors failed miserably.....once again. Ramdin for all his improvements, as a batsman, at 6 demonstrates and imbalanced team in my view.


The selectors having changed a winning team did not demonstrate confidence and we all know if you play continuously as a winning unit you become stronger so to that extent the selectors have failed miserably.


That said the Kiwis looked a far superior team and vastly improved from the one that toured last time so the win last time stands no comparison with this time around. This Kiwi team will now compete with the best.


In terms of the team itself Gayle is what he is and has averaged above 40 without technique so I will not slaughter him for that. However, he is clearly unfit and unable to be mobile even in the slips so he should not have been selected after his 100th milestone.


Brathwaite is much improved but he will struggle at this level with the moving ball and faster tracks as he plays with a closed face. That is poor and will not now change so look out for the leading edge.


Bravo needs to continue improving but like Edwards they get out very sofly with Edwards possessing a w.i.p technique.


The bowling did not look as potent as the Kiwis and I would have rested Taylor just to ease his reintegration at this level.


Mathematically 308 was achievable but on  a day 5 pitch, it was always going to be tricky. 


However there was little application from the top. Gayle should have grinded it out in what should be his last test.


The selectors did not select their strongest available 11, changed a winning unit so they are culpable. That said the Windies should have shown more grit and fight.


That will come as Ramdin is showing that determination with the bat.


2-1 is a fair result.


Good start to your tenure Ramo and I foresee great improvements ahead but it really is time for Gibson to do the right thing and leave.


Sadly he will cling on for dear life as he knows, and I would be surprised, no other team would have him as head coach.

You do not need a team to make 300 runs for a win or to block out 90 overs for a draw.

You need 2 or 3 batsmen to do their jobs.

At that stage "team" had nothing to do with it

huh ? Cricket is a TEAM sport .

IF it was not , Lara would not have been run out by Samuels  ::LOL::

I think the selectors are to be partially blamed because there were other capable batsmen that were over looked for the series. I for one think that Lendl Simmonds would be a great addition to the test squad but he has not be given the opportunity by the West indies selectors. You have some young batsmen like Siv's son who I think deserve a chance to prove themselves because these current batsmen are just a bunch of fails who don't seem to have any pride in WI cricket and so they don't feel anyway when they lose to a team like New Zealand at home.

If the top 6 needed Blackwood and Gabriel to win, then they still deserve to lose. The top 6 players should be able to chase 300 or hold for a draw. If you cannot do this, and you're relying on a recent debutant and a giant Frankenstein bowler for "balance", then you are a lost cause.

Top 6 and bottom 5 ?  Is wuh de ass you smoking ? 

Repeat after me : Cricket is an ELEVEN man Game :

with the  11th man being Not Out ....