West Indies v England 3rd Test (Sun 15th Feb)

[bigmoose]

Now this is an interesting one. Back to the old Antigua Recreation Ground, and at the mo nobody has a clue what the wicket will do.

Random facts from messing about on CricInfo's Statsguru (Stats Query tool):

Most recent 5 Tests (2002-2006) have seen 4 draws, the 1 result being when WIndies chased down 418 to win vs Aus.
Of these 4 draws, only in one match did they get as far as a 4th innings where WI clung on for a Draw (9 wkts down vs India 2006).

The preceding 6 Tests to this (1997-2001) had 5 results and 1 rain-affected draw. Of these 6 Tests only once did any team surpass 340 runs in an innings, so 21 innings totals <340!

So Antigua used to be a result pitch, then it got flat (and Walsh & Ambrose were on the decline or gone) and now.......? Sky commentary say when England netted there this week the pitch had pace & bounce, a couple of ridges and Harmy & Anderson had Bell flat on his back 4 times. But there's still 48 hours to try flatten the pitch. I've no idea how much you can change the characteristic of a pitch in 48hrs mind.

So with all the chaos i'm more thinking wickets will tumble and a good chance of a result. Neither sides are world class at batting, and WI only have 3 men with ability to get proper runs. So the Draw result odds i'm really curious to see as hoping short enough to Lay.

As a general rule is there any market under/over-priced when the pitch/conditions are such an unknown???
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Steve

[jaydubs]

For me (going to look into the antigua pitch further later today) but a test match pitch is marked out months in advance and treated accordingly. All the English test ground will have identified their strip for use this summer and be working on it. I can't see how a pitch that has had no care can be prepared in 2 days for a test game and expect it to play well. I would expect a whole lot of stuff to be happening certainly in the first hour or two and possibly as early as day three when the balls may start going through the top surface and flying.
I expect the teams to be changed again so Jimmy Anderson may well be dropped again.

[jaydubs]

Just a couple of instances of what it takes to prepare a good pitch

http://www.fishertech.netfirms.com/topcricketpitches/overview.phpis an interesting read into how long a good pitch takes to prepare

and how a little damage 6 months previous can irrepairably damage a pitch.

this is from the Telegraph

England's second Test against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston this week will be played on a virgin Test match pitch because all of the strips used for international cricket at the ground were damaged during a firework display in November.

A giant laser screen was housed on the square during the bonfire-night spectacular and protective boarding was laid across the pitches to prevent the turf being cut up.

But a number of pitches, including those traditionally used by Warwickshire for international cricket, were damaged when the boarding was removed, forcing head groundsman Steve Rouse to re-seed certain areas of the square.

The seed has not yet taken root because of poor growing conditions in the cold spring, forcing Rouse to press into a service a pitch that has never been used for Test cricket.

"Around half-a-dozen wickets had to be re-seeded after the fireworks display and they still have bare patches on them," said Rouse. "At the moment there is very little growth on them. We need a bit of warm weather to encourage the grass growth and hopefully we will be able to use them again from about mid-July.

"So we've had to move about 20 feet down the square towards the Rea Bank stand for this Test pitch. It's the first time a Test has been played on this particular strip.

"It was used for a one-day international in the ICC Champions Trophy two years ago and it played pretty well.
"It's got a good covering of grass on it and I'm sure that it will be a good surface. All we need now is a few days of decent weather to help dry it out," added Rouse.

This is the second successive year that Rouse has faced problems in preparing a Test pitch.

[bigmoose]

Hmmm, so in essense the time/prep that went into making net/practice wickets at Recreation Ground is what the Test will be played on.

Makes the Draw unlikely to me. Annoyingly the Draw is currently 3.25 on Betfair, far shorter than it should be IMO but too long for a novice like me to Lay. I try not to bet too short, i also try bet on cricket to Trade so too much exposure to risk for me, on the basis i'm still not very good at betting on Cricket. D'oh!

I've been out at footy today, so no idea what rumours are currently doing the round ref the wicket. But strangely Eng are presently favourites (Betfair) at 2.56 with the Draw and WI win both fluctuating around 3.2 - 3.25 mark. Presumably Eng odds are based on (false?) optimism that Steve Harmison can roll back the years, ably assisted by a lively wicket and an on-form Jimmy Anderson.
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Steve

[deucelow]

On a pitch likely to deviate, I feel "eye" players like Gayle and Cook will have to do very well to get runs. Chanderpaul and Sarwan are the men most likely, and Shah and KP for England I feel.
Only a Windies win is anywhere near value here, England are far too fragile to back at that price. Might be worth checking the weather forecast on the Saturday and if rains forecast, get on the draw. The abandoned test was stopped for rain halfway through...{shame that was 8 balls}...

[champtips]

As there was no play on this pitch since 2006 and also grass is there on the pitch (Cricinfo news). During practice session variable bounce was seen and as per old records the side batting first has lost (2000s).

In the gap of 2000-2006 all the matches played here were draw and also weather can come in to picture anytime in Carabean.

I think i wud Lay Draw as we could see a result. England & West Indies players are not gud players of variale bounce.

England could win this test match if they get to bowl first and take advantage of the seaming conditions during first half of the play.

I wud put my money on England or West Indies win.

[jaydubs]

Just having a quick read and Strauss reckons there should be a result. Also just for info if noone had heard they have been playing football on the field of late and there is a definate ridge in the middle of the pitch which they are trying to reduce with the heavy roller. Not many balls should be pitched there anyway but still footballers have been trampling all over the square and 2 days prep will not make it much safer. Strauss already has said he will have to assess the saftery to his players and it will be his responsibility to take them off the pitch if it is dangerous.
What price on another abandonment ???

If the match is played i can't see many runs being scored at all if the ball is going to be suffering from variable bounce on day 1.

Will have to look at the pitch when we see it when the match starts but I will be (whoever bats first) be taking on the openers to get under whatever score the bookies give them and the opening partnership as well .

[bigmoose]

Beefy might not be the most perceptive commentator, but he does read pitches quite well. He's expecting a good cricket wicket with more in it for the bowlers than a usual Recreation Ground, but flatter than when Eng practiced on it 2 days ago. The Test strip is the actual strip Eng used for practice, and prior to a good heavy rolling was obviously thought safe enough that Harmy & Anderson could bowl flat out at their own team-mates.

Am hoping for a very interesting match. Teams not announced but it seems Harmy's back in at the expense of Sidebottom.

Expecting a result, purely as any wicket with something in it for the bowlers means Eng & WI can't bat out 5 days! I'd be surprised if there's carnage or the wicket is dangerous. And strip looks far to brown/dry on tv to seam about, although moisture in air might help some swing.

Game on!
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Steve

[fairfranco]

After this first session and a bit I fancy England could win this.

Unless a lot of time is lost due to weather but I fancy this pitch which has had little time to be prepared I fancy it to be tough to bat on in the last few days after a bit of play.

Englands run rate is decent so far and their making steady progress.

Their definately set up to post a very decent score that Windies will struggle to match.

A good back at the moment in my opinion.

[Moorey]

Hello everybody, new member here. I have a question that I'm hoping that one of you may be able to help me out with. I backed the West Indies to win the test series outright at William Hill at the start of the series. But I am wondering due to the 2nd test match being voided off, wether or not this will have any effect on my series bet being voided off or wether or not that still stands. Has anyone else had any series bets? Any help would be very much appreciated, thanks, enjoy the cricket!

[Dammo Qwirky]

wont be voided, u r safe.
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[Dammo Qwirky]

wont be voided, u r safe.
_________________
Positions are available in the OLBG Lottery syndicate. Multiple lines in each draw increases chances of a jackpot. Wanna join? Please PM me for info.