Third Test Report Card
Thu, Apr 28, '05
Phallic symbolism abounded in the West Indies second loss in this Test series. Played out before largely empty seats, from the omnipresent "Bigger and Better" slogan of Digicel to the first streaker ever to grace the hallowed turf of the Kensington Oval in its 110-year history, West Indies cricket seems to be one cock-up after another.
Meanwhile, in the other sport being carried on out in the middle, the ineptness and deficiencies of the West Indies with both bat and ball were being laid as bare as the strippers butt by the South Africans.
Besides Lara and Chanderpaul in the first innings and Bravo's efforts in the field, there was nothing much to jump and wave about in this match. On to the grades...
CHRIS GAYLE
Gayle continues to be very vulnerable to balls on or about the off stump. Gayle is beginning to look a lot like Wavell Hinds did when the West Indies last toured South Africa. Not only is Gayle misjudging the line, he is also misjudging the length as he did in the second, touching a simple catch to first slip attempting to leave one that he had no right getting his bat near to. Gayle continues to bowl his off-spinners well and at this point, this has been the only redeeming feature in what has been a miserable series so far.
Grade F
WAVELL HINDS
Once again, Hinds failed get a good score on the books, and with Gayle out of sorts, the West Indies top order again failed to provide a start to the innings. In both innings, Hinds ended up being caught in the slip region, further underlining the inability of any of the openers to keep the ball out of the hand of the slip fielders.
Grade F
RAMRARESH SARWAN
Sarwan had a nightmare of a match -- in the field and with the bat. Throughout the South Africa innings, he was caught flat-footed and constantly missed the stumps as the batsmen hit the ball to mid-off where he was fielding and took easy runs. His second inning dismissal caused many to shake their heads in disgust, turning his head to one that got up just enough to his his glove and lob to slips.
Grade F
BRIAN LARA
Lara provided another master class in the first inning for his 28th Test hundred. Watching him bat is like watching a master pool player at work as he threads the field for boundaries. Yet, as he admitted, with the team not in a position of safety, and with only five overs to go in day one, Lara should have taken his foot off the gas and seek to come back the next day. As it turned out,his dismissal hastened the demise of the West Indies first inning. Has Lara ever batted in the second innings just to save a game for the West Indies?
Grade A-
SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL
The captain batted solidly in the first for an important53, but got out when he should have been consolidating. With only him and Lara seemingly able to come to terms with the South African attack, it is imperative that produce big partnerships. In the field, Chanderpaul appeared to be a little more animated, but needs to handle his weak bowling attack a little more skillfully. His use of the fast bowlers in the early part of South Africa's innings was puzzling.
Grade C-; Captaincy D
RYAN HINDS
The left-hander has done nothing to suggest he belongs at this level as a spinner or even batting at the number six position. Time to give Narsingh Deonarine an extended run.
Grade F
DWAYNE BRAVO
Oh, for two or three more players with Bravo's enthusiasm. Constantly diving around to stop certain fours, or taking a breathtaking catch at slip to dismiss Prince, or taking a running over the shoulder catch to dismiss Ntini, Bravo is worth his weight in fielding alone. With the bat, however, he managed to be dismissed the same way in both innings, bringing this method of downfall to three in a row. This trend is unforgivable and inexcusable. He bowled reasonably well without getting a wicket.
Grade C
COURTNEY BROWNE
Browne's defiant but meaningless 68 in the second innings should have been his farewell to Test Cricket. His glovework is poor and getting worse. His letoff of prince was pure comedy, if it didn't drive you to tears.
Grade F
DARREN POWELL
Powell bowled reasonably well to pick up three wickets, ran in hard, and always seemed willing to stick to the task. His pace did not seem to fall off as dramatically as in the previous two Tests. As he gains experience, he should develop into a good fast bowler, as long as he stays injury free.
Grade C
FIDEL EDWARDS
His first match back, Edwards brought his normal fiery attitude, but went wicketless. Bowled with good pace and direction, and did everything but hit the stumps with his first delivery to Graeme Smith. His battle with Andre Nel, who is his personality twin, was fun to watch.
Grade D
REON KING
Even though Reon King improved on his no-ball problem, he seemed to have lost a lot of steam and was just going through the motions. Still, he bowled a good line except for the few times that he seemed to lose concentration and started dragging the ball short and wide of off-stump. He was ecomomical, but at this time the West Indies need wicket-taking bowlers.
Grade F