`So when you give him the captaincy, he has to worry about his cricket, plus the cricket of the other 11 players with him’
ST.JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC- Former West Indies pacer Andy Roberts has criticized the strategy of the regional team following their humiliating loss to India in the third rain affected Test which ended on Saturday.
West Indies were bowled out for their second lowest total ever against India as they crashed to a 237-run defeat, barely surviving two sessions after the fourth day was washed out.
“Look at the first morning of the Test match when you win the toss and put the opposition in to bat, but you start without a short-leg and what sense is that?,” queried Roberts.
“So, we are always playing from behind. It seems as though now, West Indies don’t know how to lead.”
West Indies captain Jason Holder criticized his batsmen’s failure to apply themselves and post competitive totals following the match.
Facing a victory target of 345 after India declared nearly an hour into the morning session; West Indies imploded for 108 to hand India the series at the Darren Sammy National Stadium.
“If you’re a struggling team, you don’t try to draw matches, you try to win matches,” declared Roberts.
“And if you go out with a defeatist, defensive, attitude it’s going to show throughout your entire cricket, and that is how we have been playing.”
Meantime, the fast bowling legend has cautioned Holder that his place in the Test squad is coming under threat by the series of defeats.
Roberts, who believes Holder’s elevation to captain is undermining his performance, says the Barbadian all-rounder needs to concentrate on his game.
“Jason Holder has to worry about his performance because he wasn’t a stationed player in the team. He was one of them who is a make-up player,” said Roberts.
“So when you give him the captaincy, he has to worry about his cricket, plus the cricket of the other 11 players with him.”
India lead the four-game series two-nil with the final Test scheduled to start tomorrow in Trinidad.
