By David Jackson
West Indies’ dismal performances in the recently concluded Test series in Australia have
highlighted the need for drastic changes to be made to the team going forward. No one
expected the West Indies to win the Test series against a formidable Australian unit, but many
die-hard West Indian fans had hoped that West Indies would have, at least, been competitive.
They were far from competitive. Australia won the first Test by 164 runs and demolished West Indies in the second Test, bowling out the tourists for a meager 77 runs, in their second innings, winning by 419 runs.
The opening partnerships between captain Kraigg Brathwaite and debutant Tage Chanderpaul in both innings of the first Test was one of the few positives to come out of this series, for the West Indies. Chanderpaul continued his good form with the bat in the second Test but was unfortunately run out by Mitchell Starc, while on 47, in the West Indies’ first innings.
Mitchell Starc again claimed his wicket for 17 in the second innings. That was the top score for the West Indies
in that innings. The batting figures sadly resembled the numbers in a lotto ticket. Another positive however
was the bowling of Alzarri Joseph. Joseph has matured wonderfully as a strike bowler, and this is great to see.
The new interim Head coach of the West Indies, 48-year-old Andrew Coley of Jamaica will perform that
role for the upcoming tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa, after which a new Head Coach is expected to
be chosen. Coley replaces Phil Simmons who stepped down as Head Coach, following the recent Test series
between West Indies and Australia.
Coley, a former Jamaican wicket-keeper batsman, is currently Head Coach
of the CWI Academy program. He was previously Head
Coach of the West Indies Under-19s, assistant coach of
both the West Indies Men’s and Women’s teams as well
as Head Coach of Jamaica’s Scorpions and Windward
Islands Volcanoes, the 2018 Super 50 Cup Champions.
It seems unlikely that Coley will be chosen as Head
Coach, following the tours in which he will perform the
role of interim Head Coach. One, therefore, wonders
who would be selected to perform the challenging
role of West Indies Head Coach.
One of the names being mentioned for this important role is Shivnarine
Chanderpaul, but the suggestion of appointing
Chanderpaul to fill the role is being criticized. Despite
his outstanding contribution to West Indies as a leading
batsman, scoring over 11,000 runs, Chanderpaul’s
coaching experience at the International level is limited.
He has had some success as Head Coach of the Jamaica
Tallawahs, but can he transfer that success to red-ball
cricket for the West Indies?
.
The upcoming tours will provide a test for West Indies.
West Indies will tour Zimbabwe in February this year
to play two Test matches. They will then journey to
South Africa to engage in another two-match Test series
as well as a three-match ODI series and three-match
T20 series.
Kraigg Brathwaite is expected to lead West
Indies in the two-match Test series while Rovman Powell
is tipped to be the new captain of both the ODI and T20
formats, replacing Nicholas Pooran who stepped down
as white-ball captain last year.
The poor performances of the West Indies in their
recent Test series against Australia demand that changes
be made to their batting line-up. The middle order is
in shambles. Bonner’s susceptibility to aggressive pace
bowling makes it questionable for him to continue to
fulfil the role as the no. 3 batsman. Kyle Mayers has been
very disappointing, and his position in the team also looks
questionable. There are glaring deficiencies in his batting
technique. But, are the selectors willing to part with
him…..yet? And what about Shamarh Brooks who has
not shown much improvement and Jermaine Blackwood
who continues to disappoint?
The form of Jermaine Blackwood is especially worrying. He seems to have lost all confidence as
a middle-order batsman. Then, there is Roston Chase. Chase is unlikely
to continue as the lone spinner on the team. That experiment certainly
backfired in Australia. I therefore cannot see him maintaining his place
in the team for the tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa. But some may
ask, who is there to replace any of the players I have just mentioned? The
cupboard is indeed virtually bare, but I feel it is time for Shai Hope and
Shimron Hetmyer to be included in the squad. Brandon King can probably
come in to replace Bonner as our no. 3 batsman. I also suggest that Roston
Chase be replaced by a genuine spinner. Cornwall or Permaul should be
his likely replacement.
In the bowling department, the West Indies selectors should consider a
move to rest Kemar Roach for the upcoming series. Though he has been
our premier fast bowler for some time, he is aging and his effectiveness as
a strike bowler is waning. Alzarri Joseph must now lead the bowling attack.
Jason Holder and two of our younger and more talented pace bowlers
should complete our bowling unit, though the issue of lack of fitness seems
to be plaguing our bowlers. In too many instances our bowlers become
‘injury-prone’. This problem must be addressed as a matter of urgency if
we are to become competitive at the International level.
So we anxiously await the announcement of the West Indies Test squad
for the upcoming tours. Would it be ‘business as usual’ or would we see
bold decisions by our panel of selectors? Your guess is as good as mine.