India comprehensively defeated West Indies in the third and
final ODI, winning the ODI series 2-1. It was another pathetic
performance from the West Indies, after they had completely
outplayed India in the second ODI match. Inconsistency remains
a major issue for West Indies, and this is so sad. The defeat in
the third match was particularly hurtful, because of the way most
of West Indies top order batsmen lost their wickets. Our batsmen
continue to give their wickets away, playing injudicious shots. It is not
that the Indian bowling attack was that threatening. Most of the West
Indies batsmen were guilty of poor shot selection. It was another truly
embarrassing performance.
Looking back at all three matches, the only batsmen who really impressed,
were Shai Hope and Keacy Carty. True, Hope failed in the third match, but he
did quite well In the two previous matches. He top scored with 43 in the 1st
ODI, when West Indies crumbled to 114 all out, and in the second ODI he got
the ‘Player of the Match’ award for a well-played 63 off 80 deliveries, guiding
his team home to a remarkable victory. Keacy Carty, who was left out of the
first ODI, made good use of the opportunity he received when he replaced
Rovman Powell for the second ODI. Powell had made only 4 after facing just
four deliveries. He was completely deceived by Ravindra Jadeja and looked rather
awkward as he edged one to Shubman Gill. I think that should be it for Powell, where
ODIs are concerned. I just cannot see him making it back into the ODI team. He should
not have made it back in the first place, for this series against India, following his dismal
performances in the World Cup Qualifier. The cupboard cannot be that bare. Why was
Powell even given the role of vice-captain of the ODI team, is a decision that still baffles
me. The guy is now more of a liability than an asset. He is better suited for T20s where
he can be useful as a lower-order finisher and concentrate on his duties as captain of
that format.
Keacy Carty on the other hand is a more complete batsman and he showed this when
he played a very supportive role in a solid partnership with Hope in the second ODI.
He scored a brilliant 48 off 65 deliveries, showing good temperament, patience and
resilience. Allick Athanaze who batted at position 3 in all three ODIs could have done
better. His scores were 22, 6 and 32. I think for the next series Keacy Carty should occupy
the # 3 position, while Allick Athanaze bat lower down in the batting order, probably
at position 5 or 6. I doubt we would see both Pooran and Hetmyer in ODIs for the next
couple of years. Pooran, by not making himself available for this ODI series, seems to behinting that he wants a rest from this format of
the game.
And what about our opening pair? Did
they perform their role effectively? In ODIs, it is
extremely important to get your openers to set a
solid foundation, on which the middle and lower
order batsmen can build on. A good opening
partnership places less pressure on the other
batsmen and allows them to set good targets
or comfortably chase challenging totals set by
the opposing teams. So how did our openers
perform?
Brandon King did not have a good series. He
struggled from the first ODI. Thus, the Indian
bowlers were able to exploit areas of weaknesses
in his technique. Kyle Mayers went cheaply for
2 in the first ODI. Brandon King fought his way
to 17 off 23 balls before he was put out of his
misery. In the second ODI, which got West
Indies won, Kyle Mayers got off to a flying start,
but gave his wicket away after making 36. Here
is where I have an issue with Mayers. It seems
likely that his role is to be aggressive at the top of
the order to enable the team to great start with
a good run rate. But commonsense should tell
any thinking batsman that, after that initial burst,
he now needs to be sensible with his batting.
Avoid reckless strokeplay and work to build a
good partnership, aimed at giving your team
an unassailable advantage. Why throw away
your wicket needlessly, as Mayers continues to
do? Why be satisfied with just a quick 30 or 40
when you could get probably a century or more?
Mayers doesn’t deserve to remain in the team,
but uncertainty over the availability of Nicholas
Pooran for future matches may hand him a
lifeline, given his contribution with the ball. We
are likely to see the selectors persisting with him
as an opening partner to Brandon King. And now,
on to Shimron Hetmyer. What a disappointment
he has been in this series! I am one who had
called for his inclusion in the squad, and I was
pleased when I saw his name mentioned for
this ODI series. His performance however,
can be described as woeful and depressing. As
a senior batsman in the side, and with so much
experience in this format, his contribution with
the bat is simple pathetic. Hetmyer is obviously
‘out of form’. In my opinion, he did not prepare
for this series. And that is a real pity, after all the criticisms over his
omission and the certain statements online. West Indies next ODI
series is against Afghanistan. Would the selectors include Hetmyer
for that tour? Should they? Maybe they may not have a choice but to
include him, once he makes himself available. Pooran may not decide
to rejoin the ODI squad for that series and Hetmyer is still one of our
premier batsman. He is a player who has the potential to destroy any
bowling attack.
In the bowling department, Gudakesh Motie has shown his value as
a left-arm orthodox spinner. He is developing into a fine bowler. His
line and length is impeccable with good variations; He has shown his
capability to take wickets and has proven to be an asset to the team.
Cariah hasn’t performed too badly either and should remain in the
squad. It is unfortunate that Kevin Sinclair did not get an opportunity
to play, but his time will come. We have seen some improvement in
Romario Shepherd’s bowling. He had a reasonably good series with
the ball, though not with the bat. Jayden Seales bowled rather well
in the first two ODIs, but went for runs in the third ODI. It must be
noted however, that Seales is just back from injury and would need
some time to return to full fitness and form. Alzarri Joseph continues
to perform his role as the lead bowler but must be managed properly,
going forward.