The test matches continue. First, a visit by Sri Lanka for a pair of test matches in June, followed by another pair of tests in Trinidad against Pakistan. Then, a break until a two test tour of Bangladesh in November. Only six test matches are scheduled for the coming year.

Hopefully, Shemar Joseph and Alzarri will be back to bring much needed pace, hostility and incisiveness to the attack. Coupled with a rested Jayden Seales & the veteran Kemar Roach, the West Indies will boast one of the better attacks in world cricket should all four be available. The bowling looks fine when the guys are fit.

Of greater concern remains the batting and now, also the issue of the captaincy. Roston Chase has just finished a horror show of a series with bat, ball & indeed, a distinct lack of leadership when it mattered most. With the all format coach Sammy seemingly out of his depth in the test format, surely change is coming. Seven defeats in the eight matches thus far does not bode well and sees the side bottom of the latest WTC table. Chase, since taking over as captain, has a batting average of 13 with a highest score of just 44 across 16 innings. His bowling has arguably been just as poor, with wickets taking almost 18 overs apiece to fall at a cost of 70. The biggest loss for Chase is that he was once known as the man for a crisis. That can no longer be regarded true.

Brandon King as an opener looks good. If he can continue to bring the positivity he displayed in New Zealand to the very top of the order, West Indies batting will be in a much healthier state. Big scores from Hope, Hodge & Greaves have been welcomed following the lowly returns West Indian supporters have sadly become accustomed to in recent years. More is required of Tevin Imlach with the bat but his glovework is clearly the best in the region.

It is not going to be a quick fix, more thought and importantly, immediate action, is required to improve the standards around the Caribbean cricket arenas, with pitches, first class structure and a much expanded development program with regards to A team cricket - the crucial step between first class and test matches, all needing to be addressed as a matter of urgency. With promising young players still coming through, these issues should be of paramount importance.

13 defeats in the last 17 test matches, with only a single victory. Something has to change.

To augment the post above, here are the updated statistics for the majority of the current crop of West Indies test players:

BATTING

John Campbell (32) 28 tests, 1276 runs @ 25, 1 century

Brandon King (31) 6 tests, 332 runs @ 27

Tagenarine Chanderpaul (29) 13 tests, 670 runs @ 29, 1 century

Mikyle Louis (25) 10 tests, 369 runs @ 18

Kraigg Brathwaite (33) 100 tests, 5950 runs @ 32, 12 centuries

Shai Hope (32) 46 tests, 2260 runs @ 26, 4 centuries

Keacy Carty (28 ) 7 tests, 235 runs @ 16

Kavem Hodge (32) 13 tests, 714 runs @ 28, 2 centuries

Alick Athanaze (27) 17 tests, 781 runs @ 23

Roston Chase (33) 57 tests, 2486 runs @ 24, 5 centuries

Justin Greaves (31) 14 tests, 712 runs @ 29, 2 centuries

Jason Holder (34) 69 tests, 3073 runs @ 29, 3 centuries

Joshua Da Silva (27) 33 tests, 1238 runs @ 24, 1 century

Tevin Imlach (29) 6 tests, 169 runs @ 15

BOWLING:

Shamar Joseph (26) 11 tests, 51 wkts @ 21

Jayden Seales (24) 26 tests, 95 wkts @ 25

Kemar Roach (37) 88 tests, 294 wkts @ 27

Anderson Phillip (29) 6 tests, 10 wkts @ 65

Alzarri Joseph (29) 40 tests, 124 wkts @ 33

Ojay Shields (29) 2 tests, 5 wkts @ 35

Johann Layne (22) 2 tests, 1 wkt @ 165

Jomel Warrican (33) 23 tests, 78 wkts @ 29

Gudakesh Motie (30) 11 tests, 35 wkts @ 27

Justin Greaves (31) 14 tests, 20 wkts @ 38

Jason Holder (34) 69 tests, 162 wkts @ 30

Roston Chase (33) 57 tests, 94 wkts @ 48

I think the WI is not in a bad situation as things appear, with the returning better bowlers the WI should be more competitive in Test cricket in the near future. They need a new captain, Chase should resign the position so that Sammy don't have to make excuses for him or about him. Maybe the pressure of captaincy is affecting his game. Hopefully Sammy should learn from the last Test match, don't ever play an extra batter and weaken the bowling