Batting-heavy Strategy Backfires for Windies

When the West Indies tour management took the calculated risk to leave out specialist spinner Dinanath Ramnarine in favour of the extra batsmen, the requisite eyeroll from confused onlookers could be clearly seen around the world.

Last night, we found out why when the move came back to bite Carl Hooper's team in the ass.

In dominant display of batting, Yousuf Youhana and Rashid Latif completed centuries as Pakistan piled on the agony in Sharjah. Pakistan's total of 493 now looks like Mount Everest to the West Indies, an inexperienced bunch prone to spectacular batting collapses.

But, it was not the batting that has hurt the team and Hooper's decision to go with the extra batsman (all eyes will be on Sherwin Campbell for sure) has already backfired, even if the West Indies can miraculously hang on for a draw.

By the close, openers Chris Gayle and Darren Ganga allowed a sigh of relief with an unbeaten opening stand of 56 but, as has been customary, this start is nothing to write home about. What Hooper (and coach Roger Harper for that matter) should be lamenting was the inability of the bowling attack to press the advantage after Pakistan was struggling at 94-4 on the opening day.

Pedro Collins, the uncomplicated left-arm seamer, toiled for 33 overs without picking up a single wicket. Cuffy, the lanky Vincentian who was given the spearhead slot, bowled 35 overs, gave up 75 runs and took one wicket, that of Youhana (after he had helped himself to 146 with 18 boundaries).

Merv Dillon worked hard for his three wickets (figures: 42-10-140-3) and Hooper himself bowled a lot (figures: 32-7-85-2) but, the absence of a specialist spinner was so glaring that it was no surprise the West Indies is in such a hole going into the third morning.

NOTE: For a detailed description of the day's play, read Craig Cozier's report on the second day's play.