W.I v Zim: Second Test Report Card
It was a topsy-turvy match with enough twists and turns to write a book. From Brian Lara?s record-breaking 191 to the batting collapse that highlighted the second innings, this could have been anyone?s match.
But, in the end, the West Indies bowlers dug deep and found some leftover magic to secure a face-saving overseas series win. Here's our report card on the performance of the West Indies XI?
CHRIS GAYLE
A lot was expected of Chris Gayle on this tour because of his previous record in Zimbabwe. However, he has consistently failed to deliver and he has been the biggest disappointment so far on this tour. He is yet to pass 50, and although his 47 in the first innings of this last match Contributed to the creditable opening stand, his first ball duck in the second innings saw him ending on an even lower note than he started. He finished the series with a dismal average of 18.50. We expected more of Gayle who is supposed to be our number one opening batsman and he didn?t deliver.
GRADE: D
WAVELL HINDS
In stark contrast to his opening partner, Hinds could be gunning for the title of Most Improved Player. He was the second highest scorer in the pace-setting first innings with a blistering 81. In the second, he helped to avert an even more embarrassing team batting effort when he kept his head while the walls were tumbling about him and was unfortunately given out off a bat-pad catch which replays showed was all pad. He top scored there with 28. His swing bowling also proved useful and he made crucial breakthroughs to help set up the win. Hinds is not above criticism, however, as in the first inning he once again tantalized us as he flirted with a century only to give it away in careless fashion. He must convert more of those to three figures.
GRADE: B+
DAREN GANGA
In this game, Ganga seemed like a traveller who had lost his way. He barely contributed with the bat in the entire match with scores of 23 and 8, both times succumbing to poor shot selection. Ganga is specifically there to be the calming influence in a side filled with stroke-playing exuberance. He is supposed to act as the leak stopper when things are going awry. Sadly he didn?t seem to be able to hold his nerve as the crisis unfolded.
GRADE: F
BRIAN LARA
This was do or die for Brian Lara. The first Test went horribly wrong for him both as captain and with the bat. However, he stormed back with a masterful 191 which proved to be the difference in the match, as the first innings lead was what saved us in the end. In doing so he again rewrote the history books, becoming the leading all time run-scorer in Tests for the West Indies. His inspired bowling changes under pressure in the second innings again with one bowler short worked like a well-oiled machine. The captain definitely led from the front this match and emerged victorious.
GRADE: A+
RAMNARESH SARWAN
Sarwan is clearly a batsman in search of his form. Yet he showed grit, maturity and fight when he stood with his captain in a mammoth fourth wicket stand of 190 runs. There is no doubt that this was the seminal partnership in the critical first innings. His presence at the crease afforded Lara much of the time needed to fashion his superb innings of 191. For someone searching for his touch, he chose the perfect time to eke out this half century and played with the maturity that was needed. The second innings found him wanting, but in the scheme of things that was the order of the day for the majority of our batsmen in that innings.
GRADE: B
SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL
Our rock failed us twice in this match, but at least one of those times it was not his doing. We have been hard done in this series by horrible umpiring decisions and Chanders has had his fair share. Although his scores weren?t up to par, we cannot in good conscience give him a failing grade when much of his demise came at the hands of umpiring incompetence.
GRADE: C
RIDLEY JACOBS
There was a time when our batting extended to Ridley Jacobs and even when wickets fell cheaply before him we had confidence that Ridley could rescue us. Now it seems more often than not, that our tail starts with Jacobs. His batting in this match was way below what we know he is capable of but he was his old steady dependable self behind the stumps. His grade is a passing C on account of his wicket keeping competence. However, Jacobs has to start being more consistent with the bat.
GRADE: C
OMARI BANKS
After an ordinary first innings the youngster came through for us big in the second innings. First with the bat, he helped put a tourniquet on our gushing wound, forming an important lower order partnership of 45 runs with Merv Dillon that put the final total further out of the reach of the Zimbabweans. Then when it was his turn to bowl he did not disappoint, picking up 3 vital wickets for very few runs. He has a never give up attitude that can only augur well for him and the team in the future.
GRADE: B
MERVYN DILLON
The much maligned Dillon came back in this match after missing the last 2 Tests. He bowled consistently well throughout the match and even though he only picked up four wickets, his 42 overs only cost him 74 runs. To add to that he contributed handily with the bat as well with scores of 19 and 27 runs, and featured in that crucial partnership with Omari Banks in the second innings to save us from the possible embarrassment of being out for under 100 runs. He was not out on 27 and showed the maturity that his role as a senior player calls for.
GRADE: B+
COREY COLLYMORE
Collymore might have found himself lucky to be included in this match ahead of Drakes when it was one of the two that was to be axed for Dillon. However he certainly came good here picking up four crucial first innings wickets on a flat track and then again bowling accurate inswinging yorkers in the second innings to pick up two more scalps. We were wondering what had happened in the first match, but Corey has finally showed up in Zimbabwe.
GRADE: B+
FIDEL EDWARDS
Another of the enthusiastic young brigade, he never ceases to give it his all. He was a bit wayward in the first and only innings in which he bowled but still managed to pick up two crucial wickets. Although he was injured for much of the game, his gem of a fielding display sparked a run-out in the Zimbabwean second inning that hastened their demise and our eventual victory.
GRADE: B