The West Indies’ two-Test series in Sri Lanka has ended with defeats for the visitors in both matches and by very large margins.
The West Indies lost the first Test by 187 runs and the second by 164 runs. As always there were, for us, some interesting, extractable, takeaways from the West Indies’ performances particularly in the second Test but overall for the entire series as well.
The very first order of business in reviewing any such takeaways, however, must be for us to immediately place our order for a very large double serving of curried crow, with some Guyanese plain rice on the side and two large bowls of dhal as a “washdown,” as would be said in Caribbean parlance. That much is required following the totally unanticipated, on our part at least, outstanding 2nd Test bowling performance of Veerasammy Permaul.
Recalled to the West Indies playing XI for the very first time in over five years, an occurrence for which we in all our wildest dreams had never anticipated, Permaul responded with match figures of 8-141/53.0 overs. His outstanding returns included a first innings 5-35/13 overs.
Permaul’s second Test bowling was much superior, in every conceivable manner, to that of the West Indies’ other left-arm spinner, the far more seasoned and experienced Jomel Warrican. As the team’s supposed first choice left-arm spinner, Warrican’s series returns having played in both Tests were 9-255/88.3 overs. His per wicket average was 28.33 compared to Permaul’s far more miserly 17.62. Warrican’s economy rate of 2.88 was also slightly inferior to Permaul’s 2.66
Permaul’s far more outstanding second Test performance would suggest that he now merits a pecking order promotion ahead of Warrican as the West Indies’ first choice left-arm spinner. Similarly, so too does Roston Chase over Rakheem Cornwall as the team’s first choice off-spinner.
Chase’s series returns were 8-257/75.5 overs including a first Test first innings haul of 5-83/28.6 overs. Cornwall, by comparison, had returns of 2-151/42.4 overs bowled during the first Test following which he was, not surprisingly, deservedly dropped for the second.
Apart from Permaul’s refreshingly outstanding performance, the only other encouraging takeaway from the series, in terms of the West Indies bowling, was that of Nkrumah Bonner’s three overs during Sri Lanka’s 2nd Test second innings. Bonner’s leg breaks were sufficiently on target as to suggest that he should be utilized far more often by West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite in the foreseeable future.
Indeed our suggestion would now be for Cricket West Indies (CWI) to invest in the consultancy services of a seasoned leg-spin coach, as part of the team’s preparation for next March’s 2022 forthcoming Home Series against England which will now be their next Test encounters. The chosen consultant coach should also be commissioned to work with Haydn Walsh Jr., as the West Indies’ white-ball front-line wrist-spinner, as part of the preparation for his involvement with the team’s scheduled limited-overs matches in 2022 and beyond.
With regards to the West Indies batting performances during the now completed Sri Lanka two-Test Series, the less said the better. They were, in a nutshell, absolutely clueless against the wiles of Sri Lanka’s spinners, their technical deficiencies against top-flight spin bowling made embarrassingly obvious for all the world to see. Indeed the statistics provide irrefutable evidence as to just how deplorable the West Indies’ batting efforts actually were throughout almost the entire series.
Compared to Sri Lanka’s batsmen, four of whom had 30+ averages, only two West Indies batsmen posted similar returns. Nkrumah Bonner’s 148 runs, at an average of 49.33 from four innings batted, was by far the most outstanding by a West Indian batsman. Josh DaSilva does, however, also deserve high praise for his 36.50 series average.
Although DaSilva’s actual series aggregate was only 73 runs, the admirable application and commendable technique he invariably demonstrated almost every time he batted was highly encouraging. Far more so than the batting of the West Indies vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, who squandered several very promising starts with subsequent dismissals from his now infuriatingly and customary extremely poor shot selection.
Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite posted a series aggregate of 119 runs from four innings, at an average of 29.75 runs, the second- highest behind Bonner’s. Kyle Myers, 83/4 Ave 27.66 and Shai Hope 61/4 Ave 12.75 were, however, sufficiently disappointing as to merit the selectors’ quest for identifiable potential replacements for the forthcoming Home Test Series against England next March.
Between now and then all eyes, ours included, will shift to the West Indies’ forthcoming white-ball series against Pakistan and England. The Pakistan December 13-22 series, will be comprised of three T20s and ODI’s each, while that against England, next January, will consist of 5 T20’s.
In announcing the respective T20 and ODI squads for the Pakistan series, the West Indies selectors have retained the services of Keiron Pollard as captain for both teams. This would now suggest that Pollard will also most likely again be at the helm for the West Indies’ quest to qualify for and participate in next year’s ICC Australia-hosted T20 World Cup.
The selectors have also, thankfully, included some new faces in both of the announced squads. For the ODIs, the newcomers are batters Justin Greaves, Shamarh Brooks, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and fast bowling allrounder Odean Smith. Motie and Smith have also been selected in the T20I squad for the first time, along with left-arm fast bowling allrounder Dominic Drakes. The selectors have also seen fit to provide a most welcome return for Romario Shepherd.
In keeping with their far too often bewildering choices, the Roger Harper-led selection panel have also, however, seen fit to include the now 32-year -old Sheldon Cottrell as part of the T20 squad. While Cottrell’s inclusion may be defended as a cover for the still injured Obed McCoy, to us at least, it would have made far more sense for the available exposure to be provided to a much younger player. Especially with a view towards identifying, as quickly as possible, the best likely squad for next year’s T20 World Cup.
In that regard, and in contrast to that which occurred this past year in terms of the West Indies pre-2021 T20 World Cup preparation, the selectors must take the necessary measures to ensure that each and every one of the players identified as potential candidates for participating in the 2022 tournament should receive their fair share of actual match playing opportunities. Unfortunately, that was not the case this past year and particularly during the actual 2021 World Cup when only 12 of the chosen 15 players were actually used.
Interesting times ahead indeed for all West Indies cricket followers, ever hopeful as they will be for much improved performances from both the red and white ball teams in the months ahead. While we ourselves now wait for events to unfold as they shall, we will in the interim engage in our enjoyment of the curry crow, rice and dhall that has been duly and deservedly served to us, direct from Albion, Berbice, on behalf of Mr. Permaul. Our delight in so doing will be as much as that provided by his outstanding Sri Lanka second Test bowling performance!
About The Writers:
Guyana-born, Toronto-based, Tony McWatt is the Publisher of both the WI Wickets and Wickets monthly online cricket magazines that are respectively targeted towards Caribbean and Canadian readers. He is also the only son of the former Guyana and West Indies wicket-keeper batsman the late Clifford “Baby Boy” McWatt.
Guyana-born Reds (Perreira) has served as a world-recognized West Indies Cricket Commentator for well over fifty years. Reds made his broadcasting debut during the 1971 West Indies-India Test Series, and has commentated on hundreds of matches since then!
