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.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
John B, I look around world cricket and cannot see one person who could make it as an allrounder. And the critera you suggest is the one universally applied.
JohnB
Guest
Well, I think a test average of 32 and a bit makes that a not totally unreasonable comment - in stronger test teams a number 6 with that average after 30+ tests would be under some pressure unless his performances were on a clear upswing. The general basis of the comment on Bravo goes back to the old, old argument about what makes an all-rounder at test level. I'm in the school of thought that you have to be able to get in on the basis of one of the 2 main skills ignoring the other one, rather than just being pretty good at both. Opinions differ of course.
Fisher Price
Guest
Bravo not quite a number six Test batsman - que? I do hope you don't imagine Symonds was.
JohnB
Guest
An alternative analysis would be Chris Gayle - plenty of talent, no application (the number of times he gets out in tests for 20 or 30 with a strike rate around 100 would kill me if I was a WI supporter); Ramdin - nothing out of the box; Chanderpaul - very fine player desperately in need of support; Bravo - handy batsman, handy bowler, but maybe not quite a no 6 bat or 3rd seamer at test level; Nash - with all due respect, talent is not his long suit. Good on him for making a decent fist of it but at test level he's a grafter just hanging on. Bowling wise, Benn is no more than steady unless he has conditions in his favour, and Roach is quick but not a Hadlee or Muralitharan who can do it all by himself (which isn't a criticism of course). Shillingford and Narsine [Narsingh Deonorine] - too early to tell but haven't set the world on fire.