A Breath of Fresh Air

Thu, Mar 15, '07

by DANIEL SINGH

The West Indies victory over Pakistan in the 2007 Cricket World Cup opening match was not just a perfect beginning to the event in the Caribbean, at least in the eyes of West Indian cricket fans. It was also yet another unmistakable and emphatic demonstration of what the West Indies are capable of whenever they play they way they did on March 13 at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

The question, though, of why they cannot play more consistently like this boggles the mind, and it is certainly a predicament that every coach and captain of the West Indies since the end of the Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards era has been battling with.

But none has yet found a feasible solution that has worked for the team in the long term.

Nevertheless, the demonstration of team work and desire to win was evident throughout the much-anticipated March 13 Sabina Park match.

While Chris Gayle's lack of footwork was again exposed, Shivnarine Chanderpaul battled hard so that the West Indies did not to lose both openers early, even as Ramnaresh Sarwan counter-attacked the Pakistan bowling.

Then Brian Lara and Marlon Samuels steadied the middle order, and Dwayne Smith finished things off the way a one-day team should end its innings whenever they are asked to bat first.

More than one batsman contributed, and more than one partnership was built.

Even Chanderpaul came down and spoke to Sarwan when the latter seemed to show some early nerves -- a gesture not often seen from the left-hander.

Lara batted in second fiddle to Samuels -- a situation not often seen when the great batsman is at the wicket.

Smith did what was necessary at the end -- a feat not often seen from the still under-achieving all-rounder.

These were all the right ingredients for building a challenging, or at least decent, total and indeed for a team that was intent on winning.

The West Indies final total of 241 for nine off 50 overs was nothing near to spectacular, but it was more than just defendable, which they did competently and, in the end, quite comprehensively by a margin of 54 runs.

Bowler after bowler kept the ball full and straight, and they did so at a time when everyone knows that bowling in the right places has hardly been a recent West Indian trait.

Even the wides and no-balls were contained.

The fielding and catching were electric on all corners, even when the effort was in vain, as Gayle's was on the boundary.

Seeing Chanderpaul chatting with Lara and the skipper putting his hand around him, the celebration of each wicket, and the urging from each player were things not seen when the West Indies toured India in January to play practice games for the World Cup.

Where was all of this when, in the DLF Cup last year, the West Indies collapsed from 172 for 1 to 201 all out going after 279 by Australia?

Then stumbling from 242 for 3 to 255 for 7, chasing 273––again against Australia––barely scraping home by three wickets in the end?

And from 44 without loss to 146 all out, chasing a mere 162 against India?

Then in the Champions Trophy, reaching the finals and losing tamely without any semblance of a fight, despite well earned and sometimes convincing victories over the likes of South Africa and Australia on the way.

And of course, more recently, getting bowled out for less than 100 in a World Cup warm-up game against India?

To their credit, Lara and Benneth King have been able to bring back some degree of respectability to the West Indies' one-day performances in recent times.

But, up until prior to the 2007 World Cup, the West Indies still lacked the consistency that would be required of any team that is going to win the competition.

For now, despite some of the selection choices in the 15-man World Cup squad being difficult to understand, the first game has produced the kind of result West Indians wanted––a fitting way to carry on the hype and spark of the opening ceremony.

The West Indies did also win their first game against South Africa in their unsuccessful 2003 campaign, but this time could be different if only they continue playing their March 13 game.

Not too long ago, the heightened optimism that the West Indies could actually win the 2007 World Cup was beginning to be stifled.

But there is certainly a breath of fresh air following the victory over Pakistan, and cricket fans in the region have been suffocating for too long for them not to want breathe a lot more easily.

That will of course depend on their consistency throughout the tournament.