W.I v Aus: First Test Report Card

In a game that featured three centuries for the West Indies and Vasbert Drakes' five-wicket haul for good measure, against two hundreds for Australia, the West Indies still managed to lose the Guyana Test in three-and-a-half days.

This was a clinical display by the Aussies and the West Indies played right into their hands by playing at the fast and furious pace enjoyed by the tourists. The fact is, like in 1999 in the Antigua test, when Lara lashed an 84-ball century and still gifted the game to the Aussies, the West Indies played to Australia's strengths.

They are the masters of "speed cricket", and the West Indies only hope lies in playing at a slower pace. Doing anything else will be playing into the hands of a team that regularly scores over three hundred runs in a day in a test match.

I will now look at the individual performances of the West Indian players and assess a performance grade to each individual:

WAVELL HINDS:

Hinds did step up and take over the wicket-keeping duties after the Ridley Jacobs pulled a muscle, but he did nothing with the bat. Yes, he was the victim of one of the many horrendous decisions by the now infamous Ashoka De Silva, but the reality is Hinds failed twice at the top of the order. In the first innings, his downfall came from an atrocious shot. As a senior batsman struggling with poor form, his shot selection remains poor. Wavell Hinds' hold on the opening slot could now be tenuous at best, and with his Jamaican compatriot Chris Gayle almost certain to return for the second, he shouldn't be surprise if his name is not in the squad for Trinidad and Tobago.

Grade: D

DEVON SMITH:

The highly touted Devon Smith finally made his long awaited debut and was immediately jobbed by umpire Koertzen, given out LBW after a thick edge cannoned onto his pad. Smith finally got going in the second innings and showed why he belongs, playing many wonderful shots in his first Test fifty but there are some troubling early signs. On reaching the half-century mark, the young Grenadian lost concentration and his footwork suffered. It was no surprise that he soon fell victim to the hard-working Gillespie, sparring at a ball outside off. It was a good debut but Smith has a lot of work to do. He is talented and should get better once he keeps working on his game.

GRADE: B-

DAREN GANGA:

The oft tried and rejected Ganga finally repaid his many supporters -- and silence, at least for now --his numerous detractors. That he lasted only three balls in the first innings makes the maiden Test century even more of a landmark for him in that he must have been feeling the pressure from many fans who felt that he should have already been discarded and the curtain brought down on his Test Career. We will see if this is the real Ganga or just a mirage.

GRADE: B

BRIAN LARA:

Lara celebrated his return to the captaincy with a stroke-filled 110 in the second. Lara, who was booed when he came out to bat as vociferously as he was cheered when he collared the Australian bowling and the booed again at the end when the West Indies lost, must continue to lead the West Indies batting, and while it may not suit his natural aggressive tendencies, he has to find a way to slow down the game against the Aussies. His predecessor, Carl Hooper was a master at this, especially against the stronger teams, and Lara would do well to take a page from his manual and use this tactic against the Aussies. Lara batted well and handled his bowlers well; it will be interesting to see how he handles the rest of the series.

GRADE: B+

MARLON SAMUELS:

In the first, Samuels came in with the side struggling and immediately played an extravagant drive to the first ball that he faced from Brad Hogg. The slip fielder accepted the gift. Like Hinds, his shot-selection at that crucial time was grounds for a caning. His second innings performance wasn't much different. Hitting against the spin, he tried to work the leggie McGill through mid-wicket and, again, the slip fielder was the happiest man around. . To whom much is given, much is expected, and many in the Caribbean expect much of Samuels. Unfortunately, Samuels may not be able to give it to them, because he is certain to make way for the returning Sarwan who should heal in time for the second Test. His moon-gazing approach as Chanderpaul's runner also could have been catastrophic. Samuels needs to get his head, and his attitude, examined post haste.

GRADE: F

SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL:

Mr. Dependable, the glue that usually holds the West Indies together. Channeled Lara in the first in fashioning a sixty nine ball hundred, the third fastest in history, which managed to briefly set the Australians back on their heels in their rampant march to victory. The West Indies will hope that he is a fast healer and will be ready for the second test.

GRADE: A

RIDLEY JACOBS:

The groin strain may mean that we are seeing the beginning of the end of Ridley's illustrious career. But don't count him out just yet. Jacobs has been one of the more dependable West Indian players. However, with super sub Carlton Baugh waiting in the wings, and who is almost certain to take up the glove duties in the Second test, if Baugh lives up to expectations, this may be the last time we see Ridley in West Indian colors. Played well in the first, while batting with a serious leg injury.

GRADE: B-

He remains one of the more cerebral members of the West Indies team -- always thinking, always trying something. Drakes single-handedly managed to pull the West Indies back into the game when the Aussies were threatening to run rampant. Also ran out Matthew Hayden and showed encouraging signs with the bat.

GRADE: B=

That he masquerades under the sobriquet of "strike bowler" is sadly indicative of how far we have sunk as a team. Whereas the Aussies manage to rehabilitate players like Jason Gillespie time after time, injury after injury, we consign real talents like Reon King to the thrash heap while Merv Dillon continues to bowl with little effort, and even less result. He seems a bit jaded and may need a rest.

GRADE: F

PEDRO COLLINS:

Collins bowled well in spurts and even though he was not among the wickets, at least he was economical. One has to now question the wisdom of the West Indies persisting with a four prong pace attack given the nature of the West Indian wickets, when there are decent spinners like Neil McGarrell, Dave Mohammed, Gareth Breese and Suleiman Benn around. All four have shown, at least at the first class level, that they can at least hold their own with the bat? Collins should retain his place for the second test, as the bowler who should make way for a spinner is Merv Dillon. However, whether the West Indies selectors do this remains to be seen.

GRADE: C-

JERMAINE LAWSON:

Lawson is young, enthusiastic and aggressive. Three of the ingredients that is necessary to become a successful fast bowler. Lawson bowled well in spurts and was always threatening. Showed great willingness to put in the effort on the slow Bourda wicket, which augers well for him as a bowler. Lara ought to give Lawson the new ball and let him loose. A big plus is that Lawson has the very experienced Vasbert Drakes to guide him, and with many young fast bowlers of the express variety waiting in the wings, he should soon have someone of equal or greater pace hunting with him from the other end, offering batsmen around the Test circuit no respite.

GRADE: C+