West Indies Tour of Sri Lanka 2010 – “Reasons to be Cheerful!”

Nov 21, 2010 Sports

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Colin E. H. Croft
Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ 1979 new-wave hit tune – “Reasons to be cheerful – Part 3”, which, ironically, charted as high as No. 3, allows the West Indies many reasons to be smiling; 580; team-wise, and, for Chris Gayle, personally, at least 333 reasons to cheer!
Emerging from the drawn Test No. 1 with such positives is brilliant for the West Indies.  With more luck, and better heavenly interventions, WI might have done the almost unimaginable – beat Sri Lanka, in Sri Lanka, for the very first time ever.  However, I am somewhat confused by some commentaries about Gayle’s truly magnificent innings.
Despite losing the captaincy; I say again – correctly; the guy did recently say publicly that he would always do his best whenever he plays for the West Indies, and that he would do whatever it took to lend full support to his captain, team and its efforts, for future enhancements and success.  He did exactly that; deed following words!
Gayle’s effort was confirmed thusly, with great gusto, hitting 34 fours and nine 6’s, in his record-breaking innings.  Having already made 333 runs, it is possible, if the West Indies bats at least three more times this series, that he could eclipse Brian Lara’s 688 runs of 2001.  So, exactly why is there so much consternation about Gayle getting these runs?
I do not know if anyone actually remembers this, but Gayle was selected to bat, first and foremost, to open West Indies’ innings, as he has done since 2000.  To date, he has 6340 runs; 89 Tests; including this 1st Test.
This is his 2nd triple-century, so it is not as if he could not bat in the past.  Before this 1st Test, even with a relatively lean recent spell, he had made 12 centuries, 33 half-centuries, and averaged 40.31.  That is not so ordinary at all, especially for most recent West Indies cricketers, who, in the main, have been quite ordinary.
Not only did he bat stunningly here, but, for moments on Days 2 and 3, he had an even chance at Lara’s 400 n-o.  All that Gayle was doing was, simply, his real job; batting!
More positively, Gayle took on that responsibility that his experiences and abilities have opened and afforded him.  That is what top professional sports-folks, in any sport, do.  Now, if all of the rest of the players could do their respective jobs properly, West Indies might win a Test, and have a massive chance to really celebrate.
One reason to not be so cheerful is to explain how the West Indies capitulated from 559-3 to be all out for 580!
Of the early wickets, Adrian Barath played well for his 50, but must be made to understand that no-one remembers half-centuries.  Then, Darren Bravo, who looked so at ease in his first Test innings, miscued after a classy 58, followed by Shiv Chanderpaul’s stodgy 32.  When Brendon Nash was 4th out for another good innings; 64; the score was 559, yet West Indies last six wickets managed only a mere 21 more measly runs!
What exactly happened to the rest of the West Indies batsmen?  When Sri Lanka batted in its 1st innings, the last four wickets put on an incredible, extremely useful 114 runs.  Do not misunderstand me here.  580-9 was perfectly acceptable; certainly surprising.
Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis showed that determination, and a bit of tentativeness from the opposition, could still bring wickets.  From his marathon 59 overs, 6-169 was highly commendable, given the onslaught that Gayle had launched on all of the bowlers.
I will also reiterate.  If Darren Sammy wants to be respected as W I captain, regardless of what so much noise would suggest, he must contribute, either by many runs or taking wickets.  Passion, energy and involvement, but zero and no wickets, will not cut it!
It may be early days in his captaincy, and while we all are endeared by his enthusiasm, real substance is necessary to command that type of respect, or he could become an embarrassment to himself, his team, the selectors and the WICB.  He must produce!
As captain, though, his decisions and use of bowlers were not so bad, but why did he not take that 2nd new ball in the 1st innings when it was available?  There was nothing to lose!
Dwayne Bravo is also, as I have mentioned previously, fast becoming a ‘show pony’, maybe only ‘posing’ for the right situations.  He talks and looks well, but his cricketing skills are very much better that he has shown recently.
Bravo too must improve; drastically; especially if Benn returns, probably at the expense of Andre Russell, allowing Bravo to open the bowling in Test No. 2.
Overall, the best reasons for cheerfulness was that West Indies bowlers, given 580 runs – it should have been 50-100 more runs – were able to dismiss Sri Lanka, with its well respected, usually impressive batting line-up, just soon enough to enforce a follow on.
Kemar Roach looked well oiled, showed focus and seemed fully fit.  It is imperative that he continues his production and especially keep his full fitness.  There can be no real combativeness and production without proper fitness in both body and especially mind.
I have been very impressed with Andre Russell, even as I have seen him play for Jamaica in the regional competitions.  Kudos to the WI selectors for including this enterprising young fast-bowling all-rounder, one who might not ever be as good as Malcolm Marshall, but who has potential to be a fixture in West Indies cricket, fitness allowing.
With Sulleiman Benn banned from playing Test No. 1, a result of confrontations with South Africa this year, Shane Shillingford held his own well.  4-123 from nearly 34 overs was quite good, but he could certainly do with Benn’s assistance, when he returns.
Disappointingly, another reason to be dismayed in Test No. 1 was the fielding, and especially West Indies’ catching.  The fielding was patchy at best, and there must have been at least three crucial possible chances that were not taken in the 2nd innings.
At this level, half-chances must nearly always be used if any deserved hard-fought victories are to be had.  Sri Lanka’s seasoned batsmen showed that they could capitalize if given any chances whatsoever.
Expect the proud Lankans, having escaped here, to rebound and come back hard at the West Indies.  The hosts’ batsmen, especially captain Sangakkara, must have been embarrassed to have been asked to follow-on after their stellar recent performances against Australia and especially India, and their bowlers looked less than totally lethal.  Muttiah Muralitheran and Chaminda Vaas are not that easy to replace.
Gayle, Chanderpaul and Nash, the seasoned guys, must continue to play with responsibility, to help the newer batsmen, while the bowlers, led by Roach and Shillingford, will have their work cut out for them again in Test No. 2, on Wednesday next, at the famous Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in teeming Colombo.
Few expected this sort of return from Test No. 1 from the West Indies.  Yes, there were many reasons to be cheerful from Test No. 1.  Hopefully, it will continue!  Enjoy!

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