debut: 3/18/05
315 runs
he loses concentration and just, in a rush of blood, makes a rash shot and gives up his wicket. I was listening the cricket via radio commentary, and the batsman spoken about was John Campbell. He was on 39 at the time, and the commentator gave a list of his highest scores in test cricket, which included 3 half centuries and another 3 scores in the late 30's and 40's. According to the Australian commentator, after doing all the hardworking to get to this point, we can now expect Campbell to just surrender his wicket. That comment alerted me, and I said to myself, "not today, Campbell, prove hime wrong." But, Campbell, almost instantly, chose to prove the foreign commentator right. This is sad, but a true reflection of West Indian batsmanship. But, Test cricket requires supreme fitness to be able to concentrate for extensive periods over five days. When you are fit, you are able to concentrate for long, and your reflexes complete the catches in the slips. Your confidence is elevated when fully fit, so you are sharp in all aspects of the game. Batting in test cricket requires lots of practice, in the nets, and on the field. West Indian cricketers don't get to play the longer versions of the game, so we can't expect them to compete adequately against these top teams. A flash in the pan victory, here and there, is usually a reminder of what we can do if we prepare well. But, a team made up of a few guys who play only test cricket, but just have a few games each year, plus some T20 sluggers, just can't be expected to perform, unless we believe in magic. Poor Kraig Braithwaite, with 100 test matches to his name. I am certain that if we take into account all the test matches that ended in 2, 3 and 4 days during his career, plus the rained out days, that 100 tests won't add up to John Campbell's last score. And, it does not matter who are dropped, and who are drafted in, it would be the same pattern.
