Changes must be made for 2nd Test, Hetymer could be asked to open batting

Dec 08, 2020 Sports

DaSillva, Pooran & Shepherd could make debuts

Say Sean Devers

Darren Bravo

Nicholas Pooran

Shimron Hetmyer

Romario Shepherd

Joshua DaSilva

Since 1995 West Indies have not won a Test match in New Zealand and in the last decade they have lost five of six Tests they have played in the Island Nation including last week’s innings and 134-run loss with more than five sessions to spare despite rain which washed the entire first session.
In the last 25 years West Indies have lost nine of the 13 Test matches they have played in New Zealand and another defeat looms later this week unless there is a miraculous turn around in fortunes for the West Indies top order.
Since making his debut last year against England the 27-year-old Jamaican John Campbell has batted 20 times in Test cricket, scored 410 runs with 55 being his only half century. He has an Average of 24.11.
Campbell has been selected as one of only two openers in the Test squad and seems very fortunate to be retained after the West Indies tour to England.
With scores of 26 & 2 in the first Test, Campbell has to be replaced at the top of the order and either Joshua DaSilva or Shimron Hetmyer could be asked to open with Kraigg Braithwaite.
While making just 21 & 10 in the first Test, the 27-year-old Braithwaite, with 63 Tests, eight centuries including a highest of 212 and 19 fifties and an average of 32.76, is the most experienced opener at present and his temperament is more suited to Test cricket than anyone else in the team.
With Shane Dowrich being hit on his mouth, DaSilva, who scored the only century on the tour of England, should be brought in from the reserve list to make his Test debut as Keeper/ batsman.
Nicolas Pooran, despite playing only three Regional First Class games for Trinidad & Tobago, played against the ‘A’ team which suggested that he is interested in playing at the highest level. He is defiantly talented and his inclusion should strengthen the struggling top order.
With Kemar Roach returning home for his father’s funeral, All-Rounder Romario Shepherd, who recently scored his maiden First-Class century, should replace Roach in the West Indies pace attack.
For Hetymer to regain his Test spot, Shamarah Brooks who made 1 & 2 in the first Test, is the only batsman that can be dropped since Roston Chase is also needed for his off-spin and Jermaine Blackwood registered his second Test ton in the last Test.
It could be mentally tough for DaSillva to open the batting and Wicket-keep and Hetymer, an opening batsman at youth level for Guyana, could be asked to open as was the case with fellow Guyanese Leon Johnson who was never an opener.
This could force the very naturally talented but most times reckless Hetymer to bat with focus and responsibility, attributes more often than not missing in his batting.
Despite scoring 2 & 9 in the first Test, on ability, the 31-year-old Darren Bravo, one of only three West Indian batsmen to score a double century in New Zealand, is the best batsman in the West Indies and should be an automatic pick although his form has dropped since his brilliant 218 back in 2013.
This is his first overseas tour since 2016 and he has played 29 of his 55 Tests at home for an average of 26.78, but when he’s not playing at home, that average goes up to 50.39. Only one of his eight Test hundreds have been scored at home.

The fast bowling should be led by the genuinely quick Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph, whose confidence should be high following his batting performance in the last Test and should make an impact on his bowling.
Skipper Jason Holder would hope to contribute with both bat and ball and should be the fourth pacer in the team.
The second Test is scheduled to commence on December 10 and West Indies should be keen to avoid a series sweep and their top order needs to bat ‘time’ and go on to big scores when set as we saw with Blackwood.
My X1: Kraigg Braithwaite, Shimron Hetymer, Darren Bravo, Joshua DaSilva (WK), Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood,Nicolas Pooran, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel.

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