ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Legendary speedster Sir Curtly Ambrose has praised West Indies’ outstanding performance in the ongoing Test series in Bangladesh, and says the form of the players could keep the first choice picks out of the squad in upcoming series.
Ten regular players – including five who represented the core of the Test side’s batting – declined selection for the two-Test tour due to COVID-19 fears forcing selectors to turn to a number of debutants.
Faced with a full strength home side in the first Test, an under-strength West Indies defied the odds to trounce Bangladesh by three wickets after chasing down 395 on the final day last Sunday.
At the heart of the victory were two debutants in Kyle Mayers, who hit an unbeaten 210 and Nkrumah Bonner who struck 86 – the pair putting on 216 in a record fourth wicket stand.
“Like most West Indians, I’m extremely happy for the guys,” Sir Curtly, a member of the television commentary team for the Super50 Cup, said here yesterday.
“Not too many cricket lovers gave them any chance of beating Bangladesh, and to have won that game in that fashion, was so refreshing. I’m so excited for guys.
“And most people talk about second string, I don’t like those words because these guys are the next in line of what we had so therefore I’m so happy they’ve done well and shown all the negative ones who think they can’t do it at this level.
“So one-nil up, into the second [Test] we’re doing extremely well … 400-plus in the first innings, contributions all around and I’m hoping they go on to win the second Test.”
With first choice gloveman Shane Dowrich also opting out of the tour for personal reasons, his absence meant a spot for rookie wicketkeeper-batsman, Joshua Da Silva, who had played only a single Test prior to the series.
However, Da Silva made 42 and 20 in the opening Test and then followed up with a top score of 92 yesterday in the second Test, to press his case for a permanent place in the squad.
And with the likes of Darren Bravo (32 runs), Roston Chase (17) and Shamarh Brooks (53 runs) all enduring wretched form on the tour of New Zealand last December, the enterprise of the batsmen on the Bangladesh tour is now expected give selectors increased options for pending home tours – a fact acknowledged by Sir Curtly.
“Most of these guys are still young and they got an opportunity to impress and they certainly did that,” said Sir Curtly, a former assistant West Indies coach.
“Now it’s going to make selection extremely difficult come the next series because in my opinion, some of the guys must play so the guys that did not go Bangladesh, some of them are going to miss out.
“But the main fact and the great thing about it is that West Indies cricket looks good for the future.”
Sir Curtly, who featured in a now historic run chase in 1999 when West Indies beat Australia at Bridgetown thanks to Brian Lara’s unbeaten 153, said the first Test win in Chattogram had been among the finest of all time.
“It’s right up there – we have to admit that. Some people may say it’s only Bangladesh but I’m not for that,” Sir Curtly said regarding the fifth highest successful run chase in history.
“Bangladesh is a quality team, especially in their own backyard and for them to chase 395 on a last day and Kyle Mayers who had a brilliant innings with 200-plus not out … it was an exceptional performance by him and the whole team.”
West Indies yesterday put themselves in with a great chance to win the second Test in Dhaka when they piled up 409 in the first innings and then reduced the hosts to 105 for four at the close.
And Sir Curtly said he believed West Indies needed to play aggressively over the next three days in order to force a victory.
“We’ve got to push for a win. We’ve already scored more than 400, Bangladesh are just [105] for four, we should push for a win,” said the Antiguan who snatched 405 wickets from 98 Tests.
“Bowl them out cheaply and either enforce the follow-on or bat and get some quick runs, bat them out of the game and look for a win.
“If it doesn’t happen, well it’s ok. We’re one-nil up but we’ve got to push for a win first.”
