debut: 11/13/02
80,516 runs
Positives:
The seam bowling attack. Shamar, Alzarri, Jayden, Justin, & Anderson.
Grade A. Nuff said.
Shai Hope's wicketkeeping. Grade A Minus
He exceeded my expectations and I understand why Sammy and management team have him as keeper. It's in line with most team's approach to the wicketkeeping position. The only downfall to that is that Shai hasn't delivered YET with the bat.
But we all know he has the ability, if not the record, to succeed in the role.
I'll give Roston Chase's captaincy a positive as well. It certainly wasn't a negative.
He mostly collaborated with his players, particularly on DRS reviews, he didn't make any obvious mistakes. Field Setting was good.
Not bad at all for his first REAL opportunity as captain.
Grade B
Negatives:
Obviously our batting was horrible. Even on testing pitches and against one of the best attacks in the game. A LOT of work needs to be done in this area.
Grade F
No batsman really stood out in a positive sense. One innings from Brandon King was noticeable.
The stand between Chase and Hope in the 1st innings at Kensington Oval was pretty good until it was controversially ended.
But outside of that....in 6 innings, 1 fifty and that's it? Tells it's own story.
Our fielding may have even been worse than our batting. 7 dropped catches in the 1st test. More dropped catches in each subsequent test. And more than a few were regulation catches. That is extremely disappointing.
Grade F
The pitches were a bit up and down. It really wasn't a balanced contest between bat and ball.
And as well as our bowlers bowled, our batters still had to face their bowling attack and it was no contest.
Grade D for the pitches
Coaching:
Some of the coaching strategies were curious to say the least.
The decision to make Warrican vice captain has so far proven to be a bad one. He's played 2 tests, has had zero impact, and was left out of the 2nd test.
In fairness, had Imlach been named vice captain, it would like be similar.
The decision to send Kevlon Anderson, on debut, to open the batting with 45 minutes play left and Starc, Hazelwood, and Cummins breathing fire, was questionable at best.
The decision to select Kraigg Brathwaite for no other apparent reason than he could make his 100th appearance for West Indies when well past whatever is deemed to be his best, was also questionable.
The decision to bring the "white ball batters"....specifically Chase, Hope, and Carty (who was unfairly dropped IMO...he should have had the series), as well as bringing back John Campbell, hasn't worked out here.
Grade C Minus for the coaching staff and the grade is only that "high" because of the bowling attack.
Let's hope for much better from the batters in the next series.
The seam bowling attack. Shamar, Alzarri, Jayden, Justin, & Anderson.
Grade A. Nuff said.
Shai Hope's wicketkeeping. Grade A Minus
He exceeded my expectations and I understand why Sammy and management team have him as keeper. It's in line with most team's approach to the wicketkeeping position. The only downfall to that is that Shai hasn't delivered YET with the bat.
But we all know he has the ability, if not the record, to succeed in the role.
I'll give Roston Chase's captaincy a positive as well. It certainly wasn't a negative.
He mostly collaborated with his players, particularly on DRS reviews, he didn't make any obvious mistakes. Field Setting was good.
Not bad at all for his first REAL opportunity as captain.
Grade B
Negatives:
Obviously our batting was horrible. Even on testing pitches and against one of the best attacks in the game. A LOT of work needs to be done in this area.
Grade F
No batsman really stood out in a positive sense. One innings from Brandon King was noticeable.
The stand between Chase and Hope in the 1st innings at Kensington Oval was pretty good until it was controversially ended.
But outside of that....in 6 innings, 1 fifty and that's it? Tells it's own story.
Our fielding may have even been worse than our batting. 7 dropped catches in the 1st test. More dropped catches in each subsequent test. And more than a few were regulation catches. That is extremely disappointing.
Grade F
The pitches were a bit up and down. It really wasn't a balanced contest between bat and ball.
And as well as our bowlers bowled, our batters still had to face their bowling attack and it was no contest.
Grade D for the pitches
Coaching:
Some of the coaching strategies were curious to say the least.
The decision to make Warrican vice captain has so far proven to be a bad one. He's played 2 tests, has had zero impact, and was left out of the 2nd test.
In fairness, had Imlach been named vice captain, it would like be similar.
The decision to send Kevlon Anderson, on debut, to open the batting with 45 minutes play left and Starc, Hazelwood, and Cummins breathing fire, was questionable at best.
The decision to select Kraigg Brathwaite for no other apparent reason than he could make his 100th appearance for West Indies when well past whatever is deemed to be his best, was also questionable.
The decision to bring the "white ball batters"....specifically Chase, Hope, and Carty (who was unfairly dropped IMO...he should have had the series), as well as bringing back John Campbell, hasn't worked out here.
Grade C Minus for the coaching staff and the grade is only that "high" because of the bowling attack.
Let's hope for much better from the batters in the next series.
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