debut: 11/13/02
79,153 runs
In reply to positiveg
I think a lot of our downfall in present days Test is because of the negativity inbthe batting st the top of the order.
I can agree with that. But it’s not just at the top of the order. It’s the batting period.
This is a deliberate “plan” by coaches and administration to have our test batters employ this ultra defensive mindset. I believe it mainly originated as an attempt to imitate the style of Shivnarine Chanderpaul who had so much success using that approach.
But what I hope they have realized by now is that shiv is UNIQUE. Yes you can try to take lessons from his success, but shiv also had the ability to play strokes. That he chose not to and was still successful shows how strong his mind and discipline is. Thats not normal.
All of our test batsmen barring John Campbell adopted that approach. Jermaine Blackwood who was able to bat ended up being yet another strokeless wonder as a result. Blackwood regressed significantly from the batsman that won us a test angainst England.
And the nail in our batting coffin was CWI and media hyping kraigg Brathwaite as our “best batsman”. Kraigg Brathwaite flat out cannot bat. He plays exactly the same way regardless of the state of the match, pitch conditions, or bowling attack. And the fact that he is the leader means the team, and batting take their cue from his negativity.
No wonder the likes of Hope, Lewis, King, Pooran, Hety…..who are our best batsmen…..avoid test cricket like the plague. If that’s the way they’re expected to play……thanks but no thanks.