Not long to go now.
England just made an emphatic statement over WI. Buoyed by the return of Gayle and Bravo, and with boy wonder Hope still starring, WI posted an impressive 360.
England however found the total far too small, and powered by Roy, Root and Morgan, chased it down like it was 40 runs too few.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18913/report/1158066/west-indies-vs-england-1st-odi-england-tour-of-wi-2018-19Discuss your team's hopes for selection and compare with the competition.
One thing I am intrested in is team balances. Faf wants Ngidi, Steyn, Rabada with Tahir, but if one quick man is out, wants allrounders not Olivier or another quick to replace said fast bowler. So Phelukwayo may be at 7 for now, but shifted to 8 with injury for wither Pretorious, Morris, or Wesie. Mulder seems to have left his hopes for form for selection too late.
India are batting short, with Kuldeep, Chahal, bumrah and 1 of BK or Shami, but have Krunal and Jadeja as possible replacements should they wish to extend their batting order.
England of course have no tail at all. Willey, Archer, Plunkett, Rashid, who will bat 9-11 are all domestic all-rounders. Only if Stone, T Curran or Wood play do they have any tailenders in the selection contention, and they aren't total mugs with the bat.
Pak have Imad, Shad, Faheem batting 7 to 9, with Hafeez at the 6th bowling option.
Australia seem to be building a team that bat's short with Cummins at 8 - but have Stoinis or Maxwell at 7.
NZ seem to be building to a team of 6 Neesh 7 CdG and 8 Santner - but not to 9 with Kugg's looking to be hard pressed to make the team due to the #metoo movement after his not guilty rape verdict 2 years ago.
WI are on the up. Dre Russ may be available later, don't think Pollard is, but with Hope, Gayle, Hetmeyer, Bravo and Holder, they have more batting firepower than they have had in years. They will hope either Lewis or Campbell fire as well.
SL have the two Pereras only for batting fire power really. Afg are relying on their spinners. Banga bat deep, bowl good spin, but just carrying too many weak links without enough flair. But there's enough there to cause an upset or 2 along the way for sure.