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Tri-series in Zimbabwe is the only realistic hope for the West Indies

Roar Guru
15th October, 2016
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Carlos Brathwaite (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
Roar Guru
15th October, 2016
2

After being mauled by Pakistan in the UAE in the shorter formats – and starting poorly in the ongoing first Test – the West Indies’ upcoming ODI tri-series in Zimbabwe will be their most meaningful tour for some time.

Six straight losses in the shorter formats have certainly taken the wind out of the team’s sails.

The West Indies are expected to be a better team in the shorter formats than they are in Tests. These results are dismal. Especially after reaching the finals of the tri-series at home against Australia and South Africa.

For a team that has Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine and Jason Holder, you would expect the West Indies to be a whole lot better. And that’s without even mentioning Andre Russell.

Much of their struggle has been due to the lack of consistent performances from veteran players like Denesh Ramdin and Kieron Pollard. Pollard endured a horror time in the UAE, managing only 42 runs in three one-day outings and a solitary wicket in his twelve overs. While Ramdin only made 79 runs at a meager average of under 27.

Quite rightly, both have been expelled from the squad travelling to Zimbabwe.

Marlon Samuels notched up two forty-plus scores to retain his place in the team for the triangular series. While neither of Darren Bravo and Kraigg Brathwaite performed well, despite emerging as the latest mainstays for the West Indies top-order.

Yet the Zimbabwe tri-series, which will also include Sri Lanka, will be a welcome relief for the Carribean side, especially after all that has transpired in their ongoing tour.

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Though the outings against Sri Lanka will be tough, it’s important to remember they are also coming off the back of a home-series loss to Australia.

The West Indies will fancy their chances to pocket easy wins against Zimbabwe on the flat, dusty Harare tracks, with Sunil Narine up their sleeves.

They might not be good enough to clinch the tournament, but even if they just make it to the final, the West Indies will be happier than they are currently against Pakistan.

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