Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss on Thursday morning in Gros Islet; and according to the record at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium, as well as his team composition, the West Indies captain had indeed chosen wisely in his decision to have first bat.

Shai Hope was once again in WINDIES white, umpire Joel Wilson yelled “play,” Kagiso Rabada started short and into Brathwaite’s chest and the much-anticipated (from a regional standpoint) series between the West Indies and South Africa was underway. Now, fast-forward two days and a session and Caribbean fans were once again cursing that proverbial corner.

The decision to bat first

Many have lamented the West Indies’ choice to bat first upon winning the toss. Still, I argue that the decision was indeed the correct one, given the record at the ground. To quote the series preview: “The Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium has hosted seven Test matches, with only three games being result-oriented. However, those three results, which saw the teams batting first winning on all three occasions, have come in the last four games. Those four games producing a first innings average of 337.” How many runs did South Africa—who batted a majority of the 83.5 overs bowled on Day 1—put on in their first innings? 322 runs.

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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

How could a team win a toss, choose to bat in favourable bowling conditions, get bowled out for 97 and be applauded for making the right decision? Am I missing something?

Good article, but winning the toss and batting should have been better thought out. Although the previous matches show that the team batting first won the last three Tests, more thought could have been put into the analysis of the pitch. Don't the WI captain communicate with the grounds-staff?

In reply to dayne

In none of those 3 matches when the team batting first won was the weather overcast. To overlook the atmospheric conditions while making the decision, if dats what dey did, shows a lack of awareness. And by the way the team dat batted first in de practice match lost the game.

Secondly because you have played extra batting doh mean dat you should choose the worst conditions to bat under but maybe the coach is under de impression dat his batsmen are better than dey really are.

Ah have to remind him dat not one ah dem have a FC average of over 40

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com


I don't agree with your logic. Sample size too small of winning teams who batted first.


The better thing would have been to hid advice of locals.

In reply to InHindsight

Deleted.

In reply to Fivestar

you are the only adult in the room star

winning toss batting first v SA quality pacers ensure one result ..a loss

QED

The writer forgot to name the teams in those four games and their bowling strength?

If we had won, these things would not have been said.

The fellas just did not play well. Can't rely on a toss for a match's outcome!

Why should a decision be based on what happened the last three tests? This time it was an overcast morning and South Africa has one of the best fast bowling attack in the world! Furthermore, we had a trial match a week ago Best verses Best and it was the team that batted last that won although they had to score over 300 to win. So it was a very poor decision to bat first and we didn't play our best team either.

How could winning a toss be a good decision when you failed both innings and lose the match by an innings and 63 runs you gotta be kidding right??? The batsmen are not ready, it showed in the second innings.

In reply to Sylobaby

Predictive Analytics and recent trends are irrelevant here?

In reply to uton

Trends are not discerned after 3 matches particularly when dey were played under totally different atmospheric conditions.

We does let fancy terms and de latest buzz words tek over from common sense

In reply to Yamfoot

How about relying on common sense in making decisions?

You just played a practice match on this ground on an adjacent pitch that raised eyebrows.

You are playing a test match on the same ground on a pitch similar to the one you just played your practice match on against a pace attack more potent than ours and you decided to bat first. Is that common sense?