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Windies will have to play it by ear in their hunt to square their 3-match T20I series, when they partake in history at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow; this after losing the first match by 5 wickets to hosts India. If their indecisiveness on this tour is anything to go by, when narrative was available, Windies fans have the green light to panic. What would be a pleasant surprise on this tour, however, would be Windies batsmen giving their young and obviously savvy bowlers some backing.

To see a Windies batsman whose second nature is to rotate strike and play with “soft hands” is to be surprised; but it would be a welcomed addition if the coaching staff attempted to implement this strategy into this young West Indian team. Caribbean players are seen as naturally gifted boundary-hitters, which translates into the ability to take the game away from any opposition at an unsuspecting moment. If this Windies team, having that same ability, was now able to add heavy rotation of strike to their arsenal, imagine the results. In so doing, recall that as Khaleel Ahmed marked his run up to deliver the 18th over of Windies’ innings, the visitors had already soaked up 59 dot balls. Although, no one would be foolish enough to even think to suggest to the reigning and two-time World Champions to change their approach; as they prepare to head into a period of transition in the shortest format of the game, who in that dressing room will assume the responsibility to strive for perfection? The result would be West Indies entering a match 20/30 runs (minimum) better off before a ball is even bowled.

How realistic is this, given that the functionality of Windies’ learning curve, specifically in the shorter formats, is so steep? We have seen the Caribbean side, after being dismissed for a mere 153, largely in part to a swinging ball, come out playing away from their bodies immediately following that display to be dismissed for 104 in the 5th ODI. The lack of initiative and game awareness within this generation of West Indies players is indeed a cause for worry. Imagine there is a swinging ball, yet no one shows initiative; no one bats outside of their crease nor does anyone come across their stumps in attempts of negating the swing. Imagine batsmen being comfortable in allowing Jasprit Bumrah to storm in and have his way with no one trying to put him off–as if Bumrah needs any encouragement.

So far, there has been 2 Tests, 5 ODIs and 1 T20I where the West Indian batsman have not been able to pick Kuldeep Yadav, Kudos to Kuldeep. However, how does Windies explain batsmen who aren’t able to pick the very length he is bowling;? West Indies’ in trouble.

Therefore, it must be reiterate that it is the small things such as; the decision making, the unwillingness to stick to the basics and the lack of appreciation for the nuances of the game which holds the Caribbean team back, so much so that there are:

1. leg spinners by trade, to not flighting the ball
2. batmen getting out in a spinners final over, going for big shots when there are sufficient overs remaining subsequent to that over
3. bowling units watching the opposition bowlers working out a wicket and then coming out reworking it as if they were asleep in the dressing room and
4. batsmen not inclined to drag their feet in Test matches, nearing lunch, to ensure minimum deliveries faced before the interval.

Until West Indies and their backroom becomes more aware, we will remain in deep, deep trouble.

If the West Indies team is not inclined to employ even these, the things which make cricket “cricket” ,then they are not playing the gentleman’s game. However, admirable (or even a relief) it was to see Powell finally utilize the sweep shot in the first T20I, it took the Jamaican five consecutive innings of underwhelming performances to add a spike to his personal learning curve. Having talent is one thing; a thing which we have found in abundance in likes of Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Oshane Thomas, Nicholas Pooran, Keemo Paul and Obed McCoy. However, nurturing these young men into the spine of a winning unit will require much more than just their respective talents. Pakistan, for instance, was not too long ago as inconsistent a team as the West Indies. It took an almost ‘obsessed’ (with perfection) man, a man demanding more, not just after games but during, from his charges to drag Pakistan up to the standard Sarfraz Ahmed demand for his nation. Who will drag Windies up?

Indians still toting feelings from that T20 World Cup semi final loss AT HOME to West Indies

After India batted and the way Kohli and Dhoni finished their innings, they swore to a man they had the match all sewn up.

When West Indies had lost Gayle and Samuels for little bit, they were even more convinced

Then they had to suffer the indignity of West Indies celebrating at a sold out Mumbai ground.


Before and during the tournament, West Indies style of play was discmissed. “They only focus on hitting boundaries”
“They can’t rotate the strike”
“They’re limited in how they play”
“They play brainless cricket”

They still suffering.

For a long time the evidence is there that many of our players are cognitively challenged. Simply put we need to get the best young players together and develop programs for their holistic development.

There is some thing fundamentally wrong with our set up because too many youngsters are being fast tracked to the top without a very basic understanding of the game, without understanding the inherent strengths and weakness in their own game and without any type of understanding of the types of roles they are expected to perform within the team construct. It would be interesting to know how many of them are encouraged to enlist in self-help programs and to seek further professional assistance for their own personal development.

Lots of pointers can be given by coaches but ultimately the player must have the ability to take in all on board and execute.

In reply to mkcharles

What absolutely amazes me is the fact that WE KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE,so WHY R WE NOT DOING IT?????

PHEW

West Indies have proved that you don't need brains to win cricket matches and championships..Brawny Champs!

In reply to Dukes

Because my friend, the cricket and specifically cricket performance has become secondary...I watch Elite Level Cricket in Barbados and the artillery to run a single game is extraordinary with match commentator, match referee, electronic scorers, videographers, all when combined is more than the actual spectators who come for the cricket. Lots of people are getting paid from the cricket administration except no one is paying attention to the actual cricket. The laughable thing is that everyone is giving themselves a pat on the back.

In reply to imusic

Many People blithely unaware of a very
well known Adage ; perhaps that is why
they are continuously Barking up the
Wrong Tree .

" FISH ALWAYS ROT FROM THE HEAD DOWN

IT NEVER EVER ROTS FROM THE TAIL

WE THEREFORE NEED TO CHANGE THE

THE COMPLETE STRUCTURE OF CRICKET

IN THE REGION STARTING WITH ALL

CRICKET BOARDS .

It is there that most of the Rot in
West Indies Cricket resides . Now this aint a secret EVERYONE knows this . Yet THEY prefer to Blame Our
Players .

QUITE FRANKLY IT SEEMS THAT THEY

RELISH BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE .

THE SAD THING IS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE FOR QUITE

A LONG TIME .

WHERE THE HELL IS THE WEHBY REPORT ?

IT HAS BEEN QUITE SOME TIME WHEN

THIS REPORT WAS COMMISSIONED .

It has been quite sometime that the
Wehby Report was Commissioned . I am
not surprised by the fact that the
Lackeys of the WICBC/CWI in the Media have uttered nary a word .

I find it very interesting that there
are few responses on this ultra important Post .

This is precisely why those in the
Worst International Cricket Board in
the Region & their Lackeys in the
Media perpetually cover themselves
in Utter Disgrace .

Yet WE ALL look around and wonder
why Our Players are underperforming , despite the freaking fact that the answers are slapping our Faces every Freaking Day .

LET ME ONCE AGAIN STATE THE FACT

THAT UNLESS THERE ARE SERIOUS &

COMPLETE CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF

THE WICBC/CWI & THE REGIONAL CRICKET

BOARDS .

The resistance to doing the above ,
is precisely why we are currently at
or near the Bottom of International
Cricket .

Quite Frankly those in the WICBC &
The Regional Boards should do the
Honourable thing and Resign en masse.

That however seems very unlikely when consideration is given to these
Ego Maniacs ; who are only interested in themselves and not in
the State of West Indies Cricket .

Sometime ago yet another Report was Commissioned by the WICBC/CWI , since then ; There has been since then there has been a veil of
Silence regarding the Wehby Report ,that was ordered by the WICBC/CWI .

Yet once again the People in the
Region have been Bamboozled by the
Worst International Cricket Board in
the Commonwealth .

In reply to mkcharles

I thought that by this time You would
have realized that :

" WE LIKE IT SO "

It is all about Prestige and the
Enormous Egos that abound in those in the governance of West Indies Cricket.

Sadly the stark Truth is the fact that those in the Media relish being
the Stooges of the WICBC/CWI . Hence
their propensity to be never critical of the WICBC/CWI .

Meanwhile , Cricket in the Region sinks Lower & Lower these Lackeys
prefer to pick on the easy Targets ,
Our Players .

Worse yet the Governments in the Region as usual cannot present a
United Front , due to the fact that
some have apparently allied themselves with the those in the
governance of Cricket in the Region.

In reply to Khaga

In reply to sgtdjones

How did the brawny Mindies do?

In reply to imusic

Nobody carries more of a chip on shoulder than you do..Brainless cricket and brainless cricketers! Suffer..

In reply to Khaga

Interesting and apt that you refer to yourself as nobody.

In reply to imusic

Wish you a speedy recovery!