Once upon a time West Indies would’ve been expected to crush New Zealand in any form of cricket competition.
In the run-up to this evening’s 2015 World Cup quarter final clash though, the boot is on the other foot. New Zealand will start as overwhelming favourites, as the once supreme World champions still find themselves mired in mediocrity, as administrative decay by the Region’s ruling body (West Indies Cricket Board), leaves the team light years away from re-attaining the high standards that won their last World Cup title 36 years ago.
For the purist followers of West Indies cricket, envy is the order of the day as we see New Zealand string together an impressive unbeaten run of six wins from the preliminary competition to top Group A, while the Caribbean squad advanced to the last eight by the “skin of their teeth”, to use a popular colloquial expression.
A well balanced lineup of attacking batsmen and effective bowling lineup, under a sensible management system, make New Zealand justifiable formidable co-hosts of the quadrennial competition .
On the other hand, West Indies could not have been more ill prepared for the planet’s biggest competition, and their .500 record of three wins and three losses is an indication of the amateurish environment that produced its players.
In having to depend on India and Pakistan to defeat Ireland, West Indies nipped the non Test playing Associate member country to the quarter-finals, on net run-rate after both teams ended with an identical number of wins, and avoided the ignominy of exiting the competition for the first time in the first round since 2003.
Were the World Cup rules different and head-to-head results used as the main tiebreak determinant of the quarterfinalists, West Indies would’ve been back home by now, due to their embarrassing first fixture loss to Ireland, their first loss to an Associate member nation in the Cup.
Now as they trudge to Wellington to face the home team, West Indies age old problems of deficient batting and bowling techniques , lack of stamina fitness and a depressing image of disinterest are dogging the squad’s campaign.
For the most part, the batsmen have scored freely against the weak opposition, rattling up no less than six runs per over against Ireland, Zimbabwe and United Arab Emirates, and capitalized on five dropped catches against Pakistan, to do likewise. But against the stronger bowling lineups their flaws were exposed big time, tumbling for less than 200 runs at the hands of India and South Africa.
Lack of footwork in defence and offence, has made them sitting ducks for the pace and spin attacks of the more accomplished Mohammed Shamis, Kyle Abbotts and Imran Tahirs of the competition.
Chris Gayle’s stand- and -deliver approach netted him a record setting 215 runs score off Zimbabwe , but he promptly failed next against the better equipped South African and Indian bowlers. Dwayne Smith, who never moves an inch from his crease, must be dropped for tonight’s game for his meagre 15- run average from the six games. Johnson Charles who at least made an effort to chip forward to attack the UAE bowlers in his half century contribution, in his lone game, should be an automatic replacement for the beleaguered Barbadian opener.
West Indies’ batsmen for the most part, should look and learn from the competition’s leading scorers who are not cemented in their crease, swinging wildly when attacking. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has been literally running down the pitch to combat pacers and spinners in compiling his 257-run aggregate and phenomenal 187 strike rate. The stats are testimony to the wisdom of this approach.
No doubt, West Indies players have the potential to be better than their current World Cup returns suggest, but they have to overhaul their general approach. With the exception of Jerome Taylor and captain Jason Holder the other fast bowlers don’t seem to understand the importance of delivering on a good length. Taylor has desisted from pitching short to utilize his talent for away swing, from a good length. His 14 wickets are by far the best among his teammates.
Holder also has learnt the necessity to do likewise and his nine wickets, second best, is no surprise.
Kemar Roach, struggling on his return from injury and Andre Russell have done the opposite and as a result the former must be benched for spinner Sulieman Benn. It was a mistake to retain Roach at the left arm spinner’s expense for the UAE encounter, which could’ve been won easier had better sense prevailed.
Even from a distance, there is a perception of stamina issues contributing to West Indies’ inconsistent performances, now and in the past. When a fast bowler consistently drops the ball short or decreases his pace, he is short on stamina. Similarly when a batsman loses concentration, he is also lacking in that regard.
So when captain Holder innocently explained to the media that his strike bowlers were tired and were thus not used for their full quota against India, it was an indictment of the supposed professionalism of the players. Yes, some of the players have been on the road for two months in South Africa, prior to the World Cup, but it is no excuse. As a professional you have to be thoroughly fit, which cannot be had only in the gym. Completing mileage road running is a must, especially for fast bowlers.
Holder’s captaincy appointment which surprised followers, has improved somewhat in tactics, but the young Barbadian has to up his pressure intensity when the situation demands employing attacking close fielders when the opposition is vulnerable. When the UAE was tottering on 46 runs for six wickets, Holder needed to keep his close fielders for the remainder of the innings, but he did otherwise. He probably needs to sound out expert analyst and ex ace fast-bowler Michael Holding, who has been spot- on with critical assessments of the performances from the ESPN studios in Sydney, as the West Indies team management seems clueless.
Nevertheless Holder’s handling of Darren Sammy’s appalling petulant on-field display when relieved after one over , in that UAE game, was quite in order. He would do well to similarly upbraid Russell and others for wayward bowling.
Even before Holder’s appointment which has so far won praises from batting icon Brian Lara, the makeshift Windies technical team including Stuart Williams, assembled without an appointed head coach, was a travesty committed by the WICB for the sport’s most important competition.
In instances when situations are not favourable, the player’s body language suggests a desire to be any place other than the cricket field. It caused an outburst from Holding who suggested they seek employment elsewhere if they cannot commit fully to West Indies.
In contrast New Zealand has a seemingly competent staff with Mike Hesson at the helm, fully in charge from team selection to strategic planning.
Thus, West Indies would seemingly need a minor miracle to overcome their well set Kiwi hosts in favourable conditions before a partisan crowd.
