By David Jackson
The West Indies Test team has just concluded
a Test series against England in which
they were beaten 3-0. It was another
rather disappointing Test series. They were not
humiliated, but their overall performance can
be described as generally poor.
There were, in my opinion, only two positives
West Indies can take from this tour; the batting
performance of Kavem Hodge and the bowling
effort by Jayden Seales. Both players were
rather consistent, unlike the majority of the other
players in the team.
Hodge was the only West Indies batsman to
score two fifties, one of which he converted to
a brilliant century in the second test sharing a
superb partnership with Allick Athanaze that
carried West Indies first innings score to 457, by
passing England’s first innings score of 416. It was
one of the very few moments in the series when
the West Indies had the advantage. Jayden Seales was
impressive with the ball, taking 13 wickets.
So where do West Indies go from here? How can this
team recover from this series’ defeat and improve?
West Indies have a two-Test series at home scheduled
for the rest of this year. They play a two-match Test
series against South Africa in August and another two-match
Test series against Bangladesh in November.
To be ready for both Test series, West Indies need to
take valuable lessons from the recent Test series against
England. It should be a learning experience for this
relatively young and experienced team. What errors
were made and how can these errors or short-comings
be addressed?
Following the series defeat West Indies captain, Kraigg
Brathwaite, who himself struggled for runs in the series,
encouraged his team to remain mentally strong as they
look forward to the next Test series. It is indeed important
for the team to remain positive. There is need for more grit
and determination from all members of the team. There
must be remarkable improvement in all three areas; batting,
bowling and fielding if they are to be competitive and
even go on to win.
The batsmen need to value their wickets more and work
harder to build solid partnerships, while improving their own
individual scores and averages. More good starts need to be converted to
fifties and centuries.
There continues to be too many soft dismissals. West Indies batsmen
need to learn to play sensibly and spend more time at the wicket. They
have to learn to avoid injudicious strokeplay.
The West Indies players also have to be alert in the field. Look for every
‘run-out’ opportunity and take their catches. Catches win matches and
help to motivate the bowlers even more.
There is also need for more control by the bowlers. There
are still too many wayward deliveries that often take the pressure off the batsmen of the
opposing team. Our bowlers must learn to develop the ‘art of fast bowling’. For instance, bowlers like Alzarri
Joseph tend to bowl too much short-pitched deliveries that are often not well directed.
For the upcoming Test series, we are likely to see thereturn of Kemar Roach. This should strengthen the
bowling attack. Roach will likely replace Akeem Jordan in the 15-man squad. Kyle McKenzie struggled badly in
England and he could probably lose his spot.
We are likely to see another batsman occupying the no. 3. My choice would be Keacy Carty
who has shown that he has the capabilities and temperament to make a good no. 3 batsman.
I envisage no other changes to the squad. Let us hope to see improved performances by the
West Indies in the upcoming Test series. We rallying again!
