Aussies have a huge advantages over Windies
When Australia faces the West Indies this month, they will have a strong advantage going into the Tests, One-Day Internationals and the Twenty-Twenties. West Indies are facing many setbacks which include a long injury list, out-of-form batsmen, including players who have been discarded by West Indies Cricket Board selectors.
Lendl Simmons, Adrian Barath, Denesh Ramdin and Ravi Rampaul are down with injuries, and it is doubtful if they would be fully fit for the series. In the Regional Four Day Tournament most of the batsmen have been failing miserably. The bowlers in the region have dominated the competition. Sunil Narine and Odean Brown, along with Nikita Miller, have done extremely well so far in the series.
A State of Chaos
The West Indies Cricket Board and its selectors would be looking forward to a rude awakening from Australia in the upcoming series. It will be almost six weeks of cricket which would be rigid. The Australians are fully prepared with their pacers, spinners and batsmen. Michael Clarke, their captain, is in full form, as well as most of the other batsmen. In contrast, West Indies senior opener, Chris Gayle, has been discarded by the Cricket Board. Adrain Barath, his partner, is down with an injury and Kraigg Brathwaite does not look capable of taking on the bowlers at a higher level. Also, Lendl Simmons is on the injury list for about six weeks.
West Indies Wicket Keepers Injured
Denesh Ramdin got injured in a gane against the Windward Islands and Darren Bravo had to keep wicket. Going into a series with Australia, it clearly means that a specialist wicket-keeper is necessary. Carlton Baugh will have to be called up if Ramdin is not available and many young cricketers may have to debut at the highest level.
Dwayne Smith May Open in ODI
Barbados Dwayne Smith may find himself opening the batting for the West Indies in the One-Day Internationals. The other players, and the batting-order just remain a huge conjecture. Senior players are being ignored, inspite of their form, and the West Indies Cricket Board cannot see the disastrous effect this will have on West Indies Cricket. The Aussies have the edge in winning in all three categories. The WICB ought to examine and modify their failing management strategies.
Jino Best and Odean Brown Must Have a Play in Tests
West Indies pacer Jino Best bowled fiercely in the first four rounds of the Regional Four Day Tournament and he picked up vital wickets. He is in good form and fully fit and has experienced because he wore the West Indies cap before. Head Coach Ottis Gibson ought to do some work with Best and give him the necessary assistance he needs. With Fidel Edwards, Jino Best and Ravi Rampaul, along with Sunil Narine and Odean Brown, the West Indies should have their bowling department fully covered.
Odean Brown, the spinner from Jamaica, has been splendid for Jamaica in the Regional Competition and it would be good for the selectors to add his name to their list of players.
