Dear Editor,
I was hesitant to write about the West Indies team, knowing how unpredictable they can be. But such insecurity cannot deny the passion of every proud West Indian fan who identifies with every special moment of the West Indies team, whether it is a resounding victory or even a disappointing loss. It is for this reason then, that former Guyana and West Indies fast bowling legend, Colin Croft’s article couldn’t escape my response after he condemned the West Indies team, as well as the Coach and Captain, in his article captioned, ‘West Indies cricket needs Egypt-like revolution now!’ His tirade was sparked by the West Indies’ dismal display against South Africa in their opening World Cup encounter. After describing Darren Sammy as an average cricketer who was out of his depth, he concluded that perhaps the West Indies should quit the World Cup now, in order to save further embarrassment.
Thankfully, there has been no further embarrassment for the West Indies since, as strong and convincing victories against the Netherlands, Bangladesh and then Ireland have now revived real hope. My honest prediction is that the West Indies will qualify for the semi-finals just as they did when the tournament was previously held in the sub-continent in 1996. After that anything is possible, including the kind of success which would recall the unforgettable memories of the West Indies World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979
The consistency with which teams have been scoring totals in excess of 300 runs, suggests to me that a penetrative bowling unit (bowling on flat and unresponsive pitches) will be the key, and ultimately the determining factor of who wins the World Cup. The signs then, are very encouraging for the West Indies, as the brutal pace and accuracy of Kemar Roach can ensure that teams are restricted or even rapidly demolished as in the case with Bangladesh. Other ingredients of course, will need to quickly surface, including the assertiveness of senior players, especially Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Shivnarine Chanderpaul who I believe should resort to opening the batting, as his form is elusive at the moment. It could possibly be regained with sufficient time and concentration at the crease, which makes him a dangerous and invaluable player in any team. A little luck will be needed as well, especially for the players to remain physically fit, since the loss of Adrian Barath, Dwayne Bravo and Carlton Baugh because of injury has crucially altered the composition of the team. Another casualty will almost certainly condemn the team to being defensive and playing the ‘catch-up’ game’ with their opponents. Incidentally the players will now earn a break until their next match (that is not to say that Ottis Gibson will be relaxing on a sofa), and the hope is that their recuperation can sustain the will and belief that their mission is not impossible, but achievable.
I am quite intrigued as well, by the uncertainty of teams in choosing their batting power play, and the adverse and predictable comments that follow from the experts when the decision does not correspond to the expectations of the team. Interestingly, the teams that exhibit composure depending on the state of the game, will use their batting power play to critical effect, as Ireland did against England in that famous victory. Ireland had everything to lose at 113-5 in pursuit of a huge total, until they took the power play; and how well it worked! On the other hand England ruined their chances by not capitalizing on it, even though at the time of taking the power play, they were in a strong position. Instead they faltered during the course and in the end, that period may have made the difference. Quite frankly, batting power plays will more times than not create mixed results, since it is the mind that will matter and not necessarily strategy or genius. There is no clear-cut policy in determining the success or failure of any batting power play; in fact it gives both sides a chance, since predictably it will be the best bowlers that will return to bowl during that period, and the likelihood of claiming wickets becomes a possibility, as the batting team’s quest to score quickly will uncover risk that will be both mentally and technically evident. Suddenly, a comfortable position of 220-2, can easily decline to 250-8 in the space of five overs. The timing of the power play, therefore, is quite a job of assessment for the coach and captain, and I suppose the issue will continue to be debated. As for the remainder of this World Cup, I will be keenly observing the use of the batting power plays, since I think that with such a long and gruelling tournament, considering that the teams have to travel from one country to the next, the players at some point will become physically tired, and so the power play will have to be played within the brain. Best of luck to the West Indies, as I know they are not ready to quit this tournament just yet!
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
