WI v NZ: First Test Report Card
Tue, Mar 14, '06
When all is said and done, the record will show that it was the 14th defeat in 16 Tests for the West Indies.
But, truth be told, this was the most competitive the West Indies team has been in ages. Going into the first Test against New Zealand as clear underdogs, the Caribbean side was in position for a morale-boosting win before a second innings batting collapse send them crashing to a 27-runs loss.
Here are the grades for the West Indies performance:
A fine all-round performance turned by Gayle in this match. In the first innings, he took the brunt of the best of Shane Bond, but failed to carry on after doing the hard foundational work. His bowling proved invaluable with match figures of 5 for 81 while his second innings knock of 82 was a typically belligerent ?Gayle-force? knock. It was a welcome return to form for the left-hander, who is now averaging 77.4 in Tests against the Kiwis.
Daren Ganga: B
Ganga turned in an obdurate and solid performance with the bat and was superlative in the field with a couple of good catches and a brilliant run-out of Nathan Astle which, at the time, looked like a match winning play.
Ramnaresh Sarwan: C-
Who could have predicted that a single hook shot (again!), would be the undoing of Sarwan?s entire match? The first innings hook shot that was put down the long leg?s throat probably led to some personal self-examination and instillation of doubt and predictably to that sickening blow to head which buckled Sarwan?s knees in the second innings. The flash outside the off-stump which led to his second innings demise was the shot of a man in crisis. Only time will tell, if Bond struck the blow of the series.
Brian Lara: D
Slow start for Lara. Not enough time at the crease to judge his form, but receives a D because of his visible attempts to encourage his teammates and to offer advice to Chanderpaul.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul: D-
It is sad indeed to watch the disintegration of a solid cricketer, burdened with a role that he should never have been given. While he gets credit for seeking the advice of his senior players, his palpable lack of personal form (one score over 50 in his last 14 Test innings) is becoming a millstone around the neck of his team. Chanderpaul?s lack of imagination and inability to inspire the troops as a captain provides the results on which he must be judged.
Dwayne Bravo: C
The West Indies only had the services of two-thirds of Dwayne Bravo. He provided a solid contribution in the field and with the bat. West Indies must be hoping and praying that his return as a bowler is not far away.
Dwayne Smith: C-
It is no coincidence that West Indies? out-cricket takes a huge step upwards whenever Dwayne Smith is in the field. Smith is an outstanding fielder and proved it once again with his speed and sure hands. His place in the team was probably secured when it was determined that Bravo could not bowl, Smith provided the golden arm in the first innings by hauling in 3 wickets. Smith?s technique -- or lack of it -- as a batsman will find him wanting more often than not in the longer form of the game. This proved to be the case in both innings.
Denesh Ramdin: D
A tough match for the present and future West Indies wicket-keeper. Surely, Ramdin could not have had enjoyed his 21st birthday cake after his dismissal in the second innings showed a lack of maturity not becoming a former U-19 West Indies captain. While his glove-work was tidy for the most part, his lack of footwork betrayed him, leading to two dropped catches. The best news on Ramdin is that he is young.
Ian Bradshaw: B+
A solid debut by the 31 year-old Barbadian. His steady bowling and ability to go for long periods proved to be crucial especially after Jerome Taylor got injured. Bradshaw took full advantage of the conditions that suited his type of bowling.
Jerome Taylor: Incomplete
Taylor gets an incomplete because he was able to produce only nine overs for the test match. Taylor?s lack of durability must be concerning to the coaching staff.
Fidel Edwards: C
"Castro" gets a C for bowling with heart, pace and fire. West Indies will require greater production than match figures of 2 for 140, from their first choice strike bowler if they are to make any impression on the series rubber. Edwards needs to take a page from the book of his fellow Bajan, Bradshaw and bowl more often the right areas to maximize the effect of his pace and hostility.