Dear Editor,
The capitulation on the final day of the First Test at Sabina seemed almost like a surreal reminder of past batting collapses, as if there was an inevitable ring to the events that unfolded on that fateful day, culminating in yet another defeat. The top and middle-order batsmen looked as if they had pre-determined on not surviving through the day’s play to at least salvage an honourable draw. They seemed resigned to defeat. Sarwan flatters to deceive, as ever, like Carl Hooper, Gus Logie, Phil Simmons or Keith Arthurton before him. He seemed to lack conviction and dedication to the cause of team he is skippering! How many more failures are to be endured in the hope that he shall one day dutifully shoulder the responsibility of the team’s batting, like Lara or Chanderpaul? Is his a lack of motivation, lack of commitment to the team’s cause or an unending run of poor form? Would a prolonged break from all cricket save his career? Whither Windies batting after the retirement of Chanders!
Dwayne Bravo apparently is still in the 20-20 frame of mind after his return from the IPL in India! There can be no doubt that ODIs and 20-20 cricket would impact on the technique and temperament of young players – batsmen and bowlers alike. Batathons like Michael Atherton’s epic 185 lasting nearly eleven hours at The Wanderers (Johannesburg, 1995) or Allan Border’s twin masterpieces together lasting more than ten hours at The Queen’s Park Oval (Port of Spain, 1984) would be a thing of the past.
Caribbean cricket fans are hoping for an improved performance from the batsmen in the Second Test.
The fast bowlers have done a commendable job in Jamaica and the possible return of Jerome Taylor should bolster the attack for the Second Test. Here’s wishing the team all the best for Antigua. The entire Caribbean and the diaspora across the globe are fervently hoping to see a revival of Windies cricket.
Yours faithfully,
Dr PVS Sudhakar Rao
