Dear Editor,
In Grenada there was further evidence to support England`s confidence in its ability to defeat the W.I. even at home. To a stranger England would have appeared to be the home team, as there appeared to be more supporters of the English than the W.I, team, with the odd Grenadian actually offering support to the English. It is safe to say that English players and fans were made to feel very much at home, partly because the English tourists and players were seen as giving a shot in the arm to the beleaguered Grenadian economy.
On the field, the absence of Taylor, the leader of the W.I. bowling attack in Antigua, was noticeable, and Roach`s lack of penetration suggested that he is far from full recovery. That Gabriel knocked over three top English batsmen and W.I. ran out three of their batsmen would have been gratifying to W.I. management.
It would not be unfair to conclude that Devon Smith, notwithstanding his obvious talent, does not have the stomach for the big contest, and that one of the truly great batsmen of the modern era, Chanderpaul, at age 40, is either at or nearing the end.
Root and Anderson seemed a cut above the rest, and were obviously the chief architects of England`s victory.
Jason Holder`s run out in the second innings, and the injury that took him out of the bowling line-up and indeed, out of the game, had major impacts on the game, and are quite troubling for the near future. That he was bowling at medium pace before the injury, especially in light of what Gabriel achieved from pace and accuracy, might suggest that he does not consider himself, and cannot be seen as a fast bowler.
Judging from the manner in which Bravo, Blackwood and Samuels got out, it is clear, to me at any rate, that the players need more mental strength.
The result of the game from a W.I. standpoint is further evidence of the need for test matches, which are rather slow moving events, to be planned and controlled much more by the coaching staff than by on-field decision-making.
It is also time to recognize that whenever possible left-handed batsmen must be confronted by off spinners and leg spinners should be used less against left handers. Depending on conditions a W.I. team must contain either three fast bowlers or two specialist spinners. A medium pace bowler can be useful but is not a substitute for a fast bowler, who, by and large creates the most mayhem in test cricket.
Yours faithfully,
Romain Pitt
