“West Indies dominated one-day series against New Zealand, but what about the Tests?”

Jul 22, 2012 Sports

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Colin E. H. Croft

Let us start at the beginning, or was that the end, or both? Sunil Narine was totally mesmerizing in two T-20-I’s and five ODI’s against New Zealand. If he will be that effective in Tests, when batsmen do not have to ‘chase ball’, would be interesting, but there was no doubt that he was ‘player of shorter games!’
3-33 (4 overs), 4-12 (4 overs); 2-26 (10 overs); 2-45 (10 overs); 2-28 (10 overs); 2-20 (10 overs) and 5-27 (10 overs), showed how absolutely dominant his bowling was; a phenomenal 20 wickets costing only 191 runs, from 58 overs; average a parsimonious 9.55 runs per wicket, overall runs per over (RPO) – economy rate – of 3.29; suggesting that New Zealand had been more garroted out than just dismissed!
None of NZ’s batsmen, not even captain Ross Taylor, who defied prognostications to come back quickly from injury, making New Zealand’s solitary century in seven games; 110 in a losing effort, ODI No. 4; could stem the accuracy and stinginess of Narine. Most looked so bedazzled that even their feet froze!
Somehow, if New Zealand is to win the Test series, Taylor, Brendan McCallum and Martin Guptill, mainly, would have to find adventure in their batsmanhsip, hoping to cope with Narine; something to savor. Patience could be New Zealand’s virtue here. Narine cannot bowl for all the Tests!
Andre Russell again demonstrated in this short-games series why he is being considered for greater inclusions. He certainly out-shone supposedly more illustrious all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who continues to be more noise than substance. Russell’s time, as fellow Jamaicans suggest; “soon come!”
Hey, in passing, West Indies Cricket Board’s “Grand Poobahs” should have been extremely embarrassed at what transpired in Fort Lauderdale. It took massive efforts from New Zealand Cricket to take up the mandate originally given to WICB, long before ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, by International Cricket Council, to establish cricket properly in USA, after United States Cricket Association’s (USACA) goings-on.
Despite trying to hood-wink with drivel, USA’s cricket was always supposed to have been under WICB’s purview. Unfortunately, that responsibility was so badly neglected that NZC took open opportunity to start trying to do what WICB seemingly could not, or would not do; take a chance!
NZC hopes to develop an IPL-type franchise, “USPL”, in North America, to include teams from even as far north as Canada, to help the game strive. Hence this request, even demand, to stage games in Florida.
For those who do not know, apparently including Guyana’s President, who queried the Florida games to CARICOM, ‘Cricket Holdings America’, formed between NZC and USACA, has taken over running the game in USA. The two T-20-I’s there were just the opportunity they needed to show off. Perhaps Guyana’s cricketing IMC should be doing a better job at advising its ‘boss’ before he opens his mouth!
Obviously, the two T-20-I’s in Florida were great spectacles, despite New Zealand losing both. The games were better played than when NZ took on Sri Lanka there. Crowds turned up in their thousands to cheer “awee bhays dem’ to victory. Meanwhile, New Zealand could be enjoying the eventual spoils!
So, Chris Gayle also showed why he is so feared world-wide. 85 no. in just 52 deliveries (seven 4’s, five 6’s), T-20-I No. 1; then 53 from 39 deliveries (three 4’s, four 6’s), T-20-I No. 2; took wind from Kiwi sails. 63 no., (57 balls, four 4’s, five 6’s) – ODI No. 1; then that blistering 125 in ODI No. 2, (107 balls, eight 4’s, nine 6’s), confirmed his dominance, as West Indies won the first four games of the seven shorter games.
Then something strange happened. Somehow, New Zealand found Warner Park, where batting was supposed to have been easy, much to its bowlers’ liking. Gayle input in three games in St. Kitts petered away badly; 11, 16 and 5. Could he have been flummoxed by the slowness of NZ’s bowling?
Whatever happened in St. Kitts, Gayle will obviously play in Tests in Antigua & Barbuda and Jamaica. The problem that West Indies has is that there is no other opening batsman to help him. Johnson Charles should not even play cricket on the beach, while Dwayne Smith’s only stroke is the “swipe”!
Recent Test openers Adrian Barath and Kieran Powell, who, together, scored a dismal 185 runs (ten innings), both diabolical failures in WI’s last Test series, v England, have another chance this weekend against New Zealand for WICB President’s XI. Whatever happens, Gayle might have to bat for two!
New Zealand could surprise West Indies in the Tests. Wily left-hander Daniel Vettori and speedsters Chris Martin and Neil Wagner also join up, so NZ’s bowling would certainly be better than it was in the shorter games. Tim Southee, who bowled so well in the ODI’s, also survives for Tests. Interesting!
Marlon Samuels, who recently played so brilliantly in England, then again against the Kiwis in T-20-I’s and ODI’s, will have much responsibility, even as Shiv Chanderpaul comes back for Tests. Much depends on these two. West Indies middle order, as recently seen in England, also leaks like the proverbial sieve!
Tino Best could also get a look-in as one of the faster bowlers. At 30, he has certainly become much more dependable and useful. His only real problem; and a big one it is too; is that he depends on only sheer pace to get wickets. No fast bowler that I know of ever got anyone out bowling darts!
If Best is to be really successful, he must somehow learn to either swing the ball in the air, “normal” or “reverse”, or cut the ball off the pitch like South Africa’s Vernon Philander! Where is Ottis Gibson?
Who knows, maybe Kieron Pollard could get a Test call. He too was much more hype than hit in T-20-I’s and ODI’s. Reputations do not make runs or get wickets. Effort, determination and sheer doggedness normally do. Bravo and Pollard were seriously disappointing in the shorter games against New Zealand!
Narine aside, Kemar Roach will return as premier fast bowler. How fit, focused and ready he will be is left to be seen, but with Ravi Rampaul trundling without rumbling anything but the ground, Roach, captain Darren Sammy, and perhaps off-spinner Shane Shillingford, could be bowling much!
Both pitches for the Tests; Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and Sabina Park; are quite good for batting, once the initial moisture evaporates from the surfaces. It could be that one fast bowler or some spinner could come to dominate proceedings in either, or both Tests, but that will be very difficult to achieve!
Survival would be the first requirement, if massive runs are to be made by batsmen on either team. Batsmen would have to be patient enough, if both teams’ bowlers will eventually suffer, as the teams are so closely matched, and rated, to each other.
That could mean, like NZ’s first ever tour of the Caribbean, back in 1972, that this two-Test series could end in stalemate too. That would be a disappointing end to a very long 2012 international cricket season for West Indies. Playing at home, West Indies might only just have the advantage. Enjoy!

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