The multiple problems that surround West Indies Cricket continue to expand thus creating a damaging image for the region and the West Indies Cricket Board. The two Test series were won by Australia 2-0. In the first Test in Dominica, Australia won by 9 wickets and the second Test in Kingston, Jamaica, the team also won by 277 runs. Despite the strong Australian squad and their super ranking in Test and One-Day Internationals with the ICC, the West Indies should have performed much better.
BRAVO, RAMDIN ARE SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTING
Darren Bravo and Captain Denesh Ramdin are senior players in the West Indies squad however, their performances todate are below standard. When senior players are not in form and they are not exhibiting professional ethics, then these factors weaken the performance of the entire squad.
Some of the players in the West Indies squad seem not to be quite interested in pushing West Indies cricket forward. Kemar Roach’s lack of form has caused damaging effects to the team. Jason Holder is a fine right-arm medium fast bowler with quite effective results but he is not a starter and unfortunately for the West Indies, Jerome Taylor remains without backup a wicket taker. Devendra Bishoo’s bowling is penetrative but he is not a bowler for long spells; he is effective with four to five overs.
NO CREDIBLE OPENING BATSMEN
Shai Hope, Ravindran Dhanraj and Kraigg Braithwaite are still not up the top standard of Test cricket as top Test bowlers always up their game plan for debutants, especially the Australian bowlers. Australian fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc were too much for the West Indies batsmen.
RAMDIN’S CAPTAINCY
Leadership is essential for a team to move forward and when a captain is unable to place his fielders in the correct position, then his ability to captain would be called into question. Head of the selection panel Clive Lloyd and head coach Phil Simmons will be hoping that their players improve quickly and take on the challenges at the international level.
