By David Jackson
The decline of West Indies in ODIs
over the last ten years has been
depressing and heartbreaking for
West Indian fans, not only at home but
abroad. When West Indies failed to
qualify for the ICC ODI World this year
the pain was humiliation and pain was
exceedingly great. A shameful feeling
of depression fell over the region.
Imagine a team which had won the first
two ODI World Cups in 1975 and 1979,
failing to qualify for the tournament from
among a group of Minnows in the World
Cup Qualifier. This, however, came
as no surprise to many who had been
following the decline of the West Indies
over last decade. Our ODI cricket has
been steadily deteriorating.
We have been weak in all areas;
batting, bowling and fielding, and rock
bottom where we now find ourselves
was inevitable. At present, West Indies
are ranked 10th in ODI, just above
Zimbabwe.
While West Indies have been indecline, other teams have been developing
their game and getting progressively better.
Teams like Afghanistan, Netherlands and Ireland
are now much more competitive against leading
International teams. Even teams like Scotland
have improved significantly. It is on this basis I
welcome the introduction of bonus points in our
regional Super50 tournament. It is an extremely
good initiative which I am almost certain will go
a long way in getting our players to put in better
performances, as they prepare for upcoming
International ODI series.
We may not see immediate results, but over
time the allocation of bonus points should bring
better results. For too long our cricket had been
substandard. Any incentive which can help to
get our cricketers to be more disciplined, to focus
more and put more effort and determination in
their game is welcomed.
Now, breaking down the rules for the bonus points
allocations, I start with the batting. This has been the
main area of weakness for the West Indies. Our batsmen
have shown a lack of determination and mental strength
needed to build good partnerships to enable them
to set good totals or chase challenging targets set
by their opponents. Therefore, giving bonus points for
teams scoring quickly is a great way of instilling in our
batsmen the need to maintain a healthy run rate, while
understanding the importance of keeping their wickets
intact. The allocation of bonus points for batting will help
batsmen to see the importance of good rotation of strike.
Batting teams will also be granted bonus points for
reducing dot ball percentage, as well as maintaining a
healthy run rate. In the bowling department, West Indies
have struggled to make early inroads into the batting lineups
of opposing teams, and their death bowling has been
generally poor. In addition, our bowlers have struggled to
maintain good line and length and often go for many runs. Bonus points for effective
bowling performances will
not only motivate bowlers to
maintain good line and length,
but encourage them to apply
more more skill in their bowling
to enable them to become
better bowlers. The valuable
experience they gain as they
play more and more International
matches would undoubtedly help them
in improving their economy rates while
strengthening their wicket-taking abilities.
What I am particularly impressed with, in
regard to these bonus points, is that the allocation
is not limited to batting and bowling. Bonus points
are also given for good fielding. This is one area that is
often not even enough attention, but it is an important area
for teams who go on to do quite well at the International
level. Speed and alertness in the field are qualities all fielders
should have. Therefore, giving points for the frequency of run outs
is another way our players can be motivated to become
better fielders. It is one reason I value players like Fabian Allen
who, in my opinion, would make my X1 on West Indies ODI
team. Besides, he is a decent spinner and destructive lower
order batsman.
Following the Super50 tournament, the West Indies selectors
will meet to choose the West Indies squad for the next ODI
series against England, beginning on December 3rd, 2023.
The bowling unit is expected to be lead by Alzarri Joseph
who is in great form. The other fast bowlers are expected to
be: Jason Holder, Dominic Drakes, Romario Shepherd and
possibly Oshane Thomas. There is a toss up for possibly two
spinners in the squad. Motie, Hossein and Cariah are the top
contenders.
For the batting, Brandon King is expected to return from
injury, but the question lingers as to who his opening partner
will be? My choice will be Allick Athanaze who has been
rather consistent in the Super50 thus far. I see no other suitable
opener. It would be folly for the selectors to select Kyle Mayers
again or Johnson Charles and despite his two half centuries
thus far in the tournament it will be ill-advised to return to
Kieran Powell. With Pooran unlikely to be in the squad, the
players who are likely to be selected as the middle order
batsmen are: Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty and
probably Rovman Powell, though I view him more
as a T20 player. The cupboard thus look bare.
West Indies would soon have to start grooming a
crop of young promising players as we prepare
for the next World Cup in four years’ time. I am
watching a few youngsters in this tournament
and it is good to see that talent still exists within
the region. Let’s hope that more measures will
be put in place to develop our cricket in the
region and a wider pool of young players
will emerge as West Indies strive to rise
once more to become one of
the leading cricket teams
in the world.