West Indies’ batsmen are not performing at their top levels in the test series against Australia, and Head Coach Ottis Gibson needs to push harder for them to implement strategies to get better scores. West Indies’ bowlers, on the other hand, have been doing a fine job, but the batting is disappointing.
Too many batsmen have been falling short of reasonable scores needed to enhance the team’s totals. Both openers have failed miserably in the first two Test matches, causing havoc for the team.
Better performances were expected from West Indies’ batsmen, having played cricket throughout the Regional Four-Day Tournament. What is mostly worrying about the West Indies batsmen is that both pace and spin bowling have been problematic for them. West Indies’ batting lacks the experience and attack mode necessary to defy the Australians. Some West Indies players are getting good starts but unfortunately, they are getting out in the 30s and 40s.
West Indies’ bowlers, on the other hand, have been doing a fine job, but the batting is disappointing.
Michael Clarke is Aware of Windies Batting Flaws
Australian Captain Michael Clarke is fully aware of the West Indies’ batting flaws and as such applies the necessary pressure. Aussie bowlers are capitalizing on the weaknesses of the West Indian batsmen.
Darren Bravo has been deprived of his free-scoring style because the bowlers are not feeding him deliveries to his likeness. Bravo’s aggressiveness had been dampened by the Australians’ very accurate bowling. He will now have to modify his strategy in order to be successful. He has the ability to get on top of the bowling but he will have to do some skillful adjusting.
Bravo needs to improve on his footwork in order to better position himself for certain stroke plays. At times he is too flat-footed causing him to stretch too far to play edges and mistimed shots to the fielders. He remains a fine batsman and it is hoped that he would overcome those blunders.
Narsingh Deonarine Must Not be Underestimated
Batting all-rounder Narsingh Deonarine has the capability to develop into a fine all-rounder, representing the West Indies particularly in Test cricket. Deonarine understands his role in the team and he is the type of player who makes useful contributions to the team. West Indies need a player of Deonarine’s calibre to be in the middle-order of the batting and allowed to make his useful bowling contributions.
West Indies Continue to Play With a Specialist Bowler Short
In Test cricket the best 11 must always be chosen. This clearly means a balanced squad with a minimum of four specialist bowlers and seven quality batsmen, which includes the wicket-keeper. Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach belong in the same final 11. Because these three players have not often played together, this has lessened the strength of the Windies bowling attack. Three pacers would create havoc for the Aussie batsmen by unsettling them and giving the Windies a huge advantage.
Edwards, Rampaul and Roach would have easily disabled the Aussie batsmen. It is beyond my imagination that Head Coach Ottis Gibson cannot recognize certain talents that can be so useful to the conditions in the Test arena. Edwards should have been included in the third and final Test match.
