It is quite evident that West Indies batsmen are of a low standard coming up against spin bowlers in all categories of the game. The West Indies batsmen throughout the Digicel One-Day Series and the Test Series have shown their poor abilities to score reasonably well against all types of spin attack whether if it is leg spin or off spin.
Ramneresh Sarwan who is normally a good player of spin, fell very short of that reputation during the Digicel Series with Pakistan. The West Indies Cricket Board hired Desmond Haynes as a special consultant to assist the batsmen in their shortcomings but apparently it was of no use.
Wickets Fell To Spinners
In the just completed Test Series Pakistan against the West Indies, which ended 1-1 in a tame draw, the spinners dominated the proceedings with 32 wickets out of 40 that fell from both teams. Most of those wickets were West Indies batsmen not having a clue how to defend or attack. West Indies batsmen applied basic conjecture in their battles against Pakistan clever spinners.
Saeed Ajmal, Mohammed Hafeez and Abdur Rehman did a fantstic job among themselves throughout the One-Day and Test Series. Off spinner Saeed Ajmal was declared Man of the Series after taking 17 wickets.
Head Coach Ottis Gibson and Desmond Haynes will have to introduce new methods to the West Indies batsmen in order to gain some success against spinners.
Batting Order Needs Shifting
The experienced Ramneresh Sarwan should return to his position at number three and allow Darren Bravo to get a little breather. Young Bravo has been having it very difficult as most times the first wicket tumbles so fast. He has shown that special skill and determination at the top level and he is still to get that century in Test cricket and One-Day International. Bravo would be better at number four.
It is hoped that the West Indies batsmen have learnt much from the Pakistani bowlers and that their performances against India would be enhanced. India should be coming without their full strength because Sachin Tendulkar, Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Guatham Ghambir are not in the squad.
Roach should be appointed vice captain
West Indies quick bowler Kemar Roach should be appointed West Indies vice captain for all three categories of the game. Roach has performed extremely well with the ball on tour and in the Caribbean and his batting has improved. He is very disciplined and highly regarded by members of his team.
Brendan Nash should not have been appointed vice captain for he has not fully cemented his position in the team. He plays only test cricket for the West Indies and because more limited overs cricket is being played than Tests, it will make genuine cricket tactic to choose the vice captain who is involved with all three categories of the game.
Four-Prong Pace Attack Not Possible
Now that it is likely the tailenders would be performing well, it may be possible for the West Indies to do their research and find the best bowling group. Jerome Taylor is still available and Fidel Edwards is now ready after a prolonged injury. Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul are doing well. Rampaul is a wicket taker and has demonstrated that on home soil and abroad. With these four quickies and spinner Devendra Bishoo, the West Indies may be going forward up in the standings.
One major advantage the West Indies has is that all their quick bowlers can carry their bats favorably well, similar to that of the Australian team. The West Indies selectors may not want to push for four fast bowlers at this stage. At least one more quickie to the team would be appropriate for now. The West Indies is clearly a bowler short. Fidel Edwards or Jerome Taylor should be included in the squad.
