West Indies batsmen are not exhibiting top-class performance; and that has been one of the reasons why the team is not doing well. Dwayne Smith, Darren Bravo and Kieran Powell should demonstrate better batting skills. These players are getting too many soft dismissals. Smith and Bravo are experienced batsmen who have played all around the world and to be playing at home and not performing on easy paced wickets reflects badly on their reputation.
Recently, Smith had a good run for Barbados during the Nagico Regional Super50 Competition, now, he seems not to be applying himself at an optimal levelL Where else do these players expect to excel, if you cannot do well on your own wickets.
One-Day International cricket is very different from the Twenty20 format. In the One-Day International games, players need to settle down and pick up singles, while and avoiding going for too many big shots. Smith apparently has one style of play at the higher level and that is the Twenty20 habit of just hitting. That is inappropriate for One-Day International games.
LENDL SIMMONS IN FINE FORM
Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies’ middle-order batsman, Lendl Simmons, has been in fine form; scoring two consecutive half-centuries against England in Antigua. Simmons has demonstrated some top class efforts in both innings. He may find himself in the Test squad if he continues making those huge efforts. Darren Bravo must improve on his One-Day average because his scoring is too low statistically. He must enhance his performamce.
TOO MANY PROLONGED INJURIES
A long list of players have been on the injury list and as they recover, some mishap re-occurs and they return to the injury list once again. West Indies were greatly affected in New Zealand when Kemar Roach missed that tour because of injury. Ravi Rampaul has been in and out of the team because of injuries.
When key players are injured for long periods, it certainly affects the team. Chris Gayle is injured and this adds to the damaging effect on the team. It seems as if team morale is low and the West Indies Cricket Board must assume the responsibility for ensuring that this problem is solved.
West Indies selectors ought to modify their strategies or be replaced. Only the best possible 11 players who are fit should be on the field..
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