Cricket fans across the Caribbean are elated following West Indies’ astonishing
victory against England in the third and final Test in Grenada, which enabled
West Indies to claim a 1-0 victory in the series and capture the Richards-
Botham Trophy.
Kyle Mayers, who lost his place in the X1 for the first two Test matches in Antigua
and Barbados respectively, replaced Veersammy Permaul for the third Test. It was
a surprising move by the selectors, but the gamble worked beautifully, as Mayers
contributed greatly to the victory by a magnificent spell of bowling in the second
innings, with a maiden five-wicket haul, resulting in a major batting collapse of England’s
in their second innings. Mayers claimed 5 wickets for just 18 runs, off 17 overs, nine of
which were maidens. This bowling effort followed his useful contribution with the ball
in the first innings, when he bowled 10 overs, 7 maidens and took 2 for 13, including
the prized wicket of captain Joe Root for a duck. It was truly a magnificent bowling
performance by Mayers, to justify his selection in the third Test. Though the English
tailenders helped the team to recover and finish on 204, the damage was already done
and the West Indies were able to bypass this total and acquire a decisive lead of 93.
From then on England was under pressure.
This Test series win, though splendid, should not make the West Indies feel that
they have turned the corner. There is still a lot of work to do; still several areas of
weakness. A couple of batting positions have not yet been settled. John Campbell
for instance was extremely lucky to be in the X1 for the third Test, based on his
batting performance in the first two Tests. The selectors still have to make a decision
regarding him. Is he the right person to partner with Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of
the batting order? I am not sure he is. It doesn’t seem that he has learned from his
mistakes in the past. To me, he still looks like a ‘walking wicket’. Kraigg Brathwaite, on
the other hand, has been magnificent in this series, with the bat, and fully deserved to
be named ‘Player of the Series’. He is easily now the best batsman in the West Indies
team. There, however, needs to be some improvement as captain. At times he seems
too laidback or uncertain, especially when the team is fielding and things are not going
their way. He needs to be more proactive, than reactive.
Now, what can we say of Shamarh Brooks? So much potential. So much ability. Yet,
when he gets the opportunity to prove himself, he fails. He has been very disappointing
at no. 3 and is in danger of losing his place in the X1. My suggestion is that he uses
this extended FC season to work out his areas of weakness and improve. Blackwood
too, despite that welcomed century, is yet to convince me that he can perform well
consistently. I can’t end before mentioning Nkrumah Bonner, the ‘Player of the Match’
for the first Test in Antigua. His knock of 123 in the first innings was instrumental in
helping West Indies draw that Test. The patience, grit, and determination he showed
are indeed highly commendable. It would help, however, if he learns to up that strike
rate of his. More rotation of strike by our batsmen can help to lower the still high
percentage of dot balls and keep the scoreboard ticking.
One of the disappointments of this series was
the performance of Jason Holder. He did not
have a good series, with either bat or ball. The
senseless shots he played, which led to him
getting out needlessly each time he batted, must
be cause for concern. As a senior player and a
former captain, it needs to do much better, either.
Kemar Roach on the other hand was brilliant, as
usual, and he got very good support from Jayden
Seales, who continues to impress, and Alzarri
Joseph who in that third Test has bowled the
fastest that I have seen him bowl in a long time.
This is very encouraging West Indies’ victory
over England exposed glaring problems with this
English touring party. Joe Root has come in for
much criticism and there are now calls, by at least
three former English captains; Michael Arthurton,
Nasser Hussain, and Michael Vaughan, who have
all called for him to be removed as Test captain.
England’s problems, however, run deeper than the
captaincy. England came to the Caribbean with an
air of over-confidence. They underestimated the
strength of the West Indies and wanted to use this
series to reset and recharge, following their dismal
performances against Australia in ‘the Ashes’.
Their plans failed miserably and even the captain
seem bewildered as to why things ended so badly
for them after their batting performances in the
first and second Tests. But it went wrong for them
from the very beginning. Never take the West
Indies for granted when they are at home. England
came to the Caribbean with a depleted and
relatively inexperienced squad, except for Ben
Stokes, Johnny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark
Wood, and the captain himself, Joe Root. Joffra
Archer was injured, David Malan did not tour
and both James Anderson and Stuart Broad,
the two most experienced fast bowlers were
excluded from the squad. The injury to Mark
Wood and the absence of Joffra Archer, also
due to injury, certainly didn’t help. You may
ask what difference these players would have
made? The answer; we do not know. England
was still very competitive and had their good
moments. particularly in that first Test which
they generally dominated, only to be denied
victory by the determined effort of a few of
the West Indies batsmen, notably Bonner. Sad
though that the pitches in Antigua and Barbados
were so lifeless. The bowlers toiled for long
hours getting little help from the wicket.
One of the promising signs for West Indies going forward
is the form of Joshua DaSilva, the Player of the Match
in the third and decisive test. Joshua worked tirelessly to
hold the West Indies innings together and was rewarded
for his efforts by reaching his maiden Test century. It was
truly a superb knock. All he needs now is to improve in
the area of wicket-keeping, especially his glove work.
This series win will surely boost the confidence of the
West Indies. Head coach Phil Simmons was smiling
broadly when he descended the stairs to greet the
players. He must be breathing a sigh of relief, after being
heavily criticized as coach. The selectors themselves must
feel good, having recently taken up this important role,
with at least one gamble working perfectly for that last
Test. Their gamble with Campbell, however, is yet to bear
fruits.
So where do we go from here? Maybe this series win
would motivate more West Indies players to work
harder and produce good performances consistently at
the FC level. Players like Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, and
Roston Chase would surely be aiming to put in creditable
performances to get back into the Test team. It will also
be interesting to see how Jeremy Solozano performs
during the remainder of the regional tournament. He
too will be hoping to win the approval of the selectors
for that opening spot which certainly is not yet settled.
Let us all hope that the West Indies will improve and get
even better as they await the opportunities to play leading
International teams. Rally Hard!
West Indies -England: A Review Of The Recent Test Series!
