A picture is worth a thousand words, according to the old adage, and this was certainly most applicable to the image which greeted West Indian cricket fans last weekend as they perused the summary of last week’s victory in the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Standing behind a banner emblazoned with word WINNER in bold print, above the sub-title Azizi Bank Cup 2019 Lucknow, India, the fourteen West Indian cricketers were all smiles as they posed with the trophy. Besides exuberance, this was a group brimming with confidence and pride, attributes which have been sadly lacking as of late. One cannot fault the fan for continuously glancing at the photograph, as he read the match report and the accompanying scorecard, just to confirm that the rare image was in fact real.
Test match victories, once taken as a given in these parts, have become such a rare commodity, that the West Indian cricket fan has probably forgotten how to savour the occasion. Whilst this was Afghanistan’s only fourth venture on the red carpet of the cricketing world, it should be not overlooked that there were in pursuit of a rather unique record. Having lost their initial Test to India, they rebounded with victories over Ireland in India and away to Bangladesh, thus, placing themselves in a position to become the first side to win three of their first four Tests.
The pressure to win this Test match must have rested heavily on the shoulders of Captain Jason Holder. Having begun the year on a high note with wins in the first two Test matches against England, the West Indies quickly resorted to their habits of old, losing the Third Test by 232 runs. A disappointing performance in the World Cup was followed by a severe thumping from Kohli and Co., as India inflicted two heavy defeats on the home side by an average of 288 runs. A one-off Test against a cagey opponent on a pitch within unknown character (this was the first Test to be played at Lucknow) and likely to favour spin was not the most exciting of prospects.
Victory inside of three days in a Test match will go a long way towards boosting the confidence barometer of a team which has wallowed in the doldrums of international cricket for too long. While Rakeem Cornwall’s ten-wicket haul and Shamarh Brooks’ century are worthy of note and celebration, we must remain cognisant of the fact that Afghanistan is tenth in the ICC Test rankings and nothing less than a comprehensive win would have sufficed here.
No doubt, Phil Simmons, now rightfully returned as coach, would be pleased, though not necessarily satisfied with the team’s performance. (Hopefully, his re-appointment brings an end to the seemingly ever revolving coach’s door and long term stability to the position). Simmons’ main area of concern, of course, will be the lack of consistency of the batting line up. The time has come for Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope to deliver the goods on a regular basis. Darren Bravo, our best bat, needs to regain his form and return to the side. Shimron Hetmyer has to realize that he will only get so many chances at this level and needs to settle down and apply the talent he possesses.
In 2020, the West Indies face England, South Africa and New Zealand, currently ranked third, fourth and second, respectively, in the ICC Test rankings. West Indies cricket fans will find out very quickly whether the Afghanistan Test was the laying of the cornerstone for the renaissance or just another mirage.
