Can someone explain why a talented bunch like the current crop of West Indies players continue falling like a pack of cards? No one can deny the oodles of talent at this team’s disposal.
It’s early days yet but it seems like the Windies are on the verge of yet another Test defeat in Barbados against the Proteas. I am not going to proffer reasons for the constant lack of form of this team, many have been put forward over the years – all I want is answers!
The South African juggernaut are of course too strong and a gulf apart, so their dominance over their Carribean rivals is to be expected. But is the gulf that wide? To the extent a 5-0 ODI whitewash and a (probable) 2-0 Test win is justified?
And oh yes, don’t forget the smash-and-grab- 20/20 series; that too was a disaster for the Windies. Didn’t the self-same Proteas whitewash the men from the Caribbean in their last series in the Windies too? What has happened since then? Can Chris Gayle and co not even take a game off them for a change?
Overall before this series the West Indies and SA have played each other 22 times, with the Proteas winning 14, the Windies winning three and five draws. That record will take on an even gloomier outlook for the Windies after the current series comes to an end.
Since 2000 this team has taken some stick indeed, in clashes with all their international rivals. In that period they’ve won 12 and lost 19 at home. In away series’, they’ve won six and lost 38. They’re doing their knowledgeable, frustrated, yet committed legion of fans a disservice indeed. Ramnaresh Sarwan, one of their top batsmen (who is a bit of a batting enigma these days), is unfortunately out due to injury.
When one looks at the crux of the team of experienced players such as Chris Gayle, Ramdin, Chanderpaul, Bravo, Nash, you’d expect better from this bunch. On the horizon are talented players Shillingford, Benn, Narsine, Roach, who are no mugs at all. Now despite this talent at their disposal, the West Indies board and all its stakeholders will have to act – and act fast, if they are to save the future of West Indies cricket.
We can find all the reasons we want for the systematic wane in fortunes, but we need West Indian cricket – given their contribution to the game of cricket down the years. It’s a sad indictment as to what has happened to a once formidable cricketing nation.
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