It will get worse before it gets better for the West Indies
Where do we go from here? India effectively called curtains on the West Indies’ 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, by way of a 125-run defeat the Asian giants handed the Caribbean men last Thursday. For all the talk of this West Indies team having a better batting unit than it does a bowling unit, with just two games remaining in WINDIES’ tournament, this particular tree has yet to bear fruit.
The West Indies left the Caribbean for England with the backing of the fans. Still, they have only managed to embarrass us every step of the way on the world’s biggest stage. Were we expecting too much? Surely not, since decent showings, fight and spirit are bases professional sportsmen cover without a second thought.
Following a fantastic bowling display from Roach and company, which handed their batting counterparts a gettable 269 runs for victory, the latter failed to put up any fight… yet again. The recurring theme of talent, potential and lack of application with West Indian batsmen is on the fast track to Growing Old. The unwillingness to adapt to varying situations, highlights a lack of game awareness from the men in maroon. If we choose to attribute this to youthful exuberance; then, in the case of one Christopher Henry Gayle, what would be his excuse? Okay, maybe we should reiterate that “T20 cricket is destroying cricket”. Again, we cannot. As the other Full Member nations in the competition also engage the format, still it is only an excuse for the West Indies. However, to say “T20 cricket is destroying West Indies Cricket” would be a better turn of phrase. Still, I fail to agree wholeheartedly.
