The casual cricket follower who resides somewhere in the Eastern Hemisphere must have been quite confused when he initially tuned in to his favourite cricket channel to view the First Test between England and the West Indies last Saturday morning (in the Caribbean, evening on the Sub-continent).
The fan must have thought for a minute or two that he/she was hallucinating. The match was supposed to be taking place in the Caribbean yet there seemed to be far more English supporters than locals in attendance. How could they be playing a Test match at the Kennington Oval in Surrey in the middle of winter? Surely the television was showing the wrong scoreboard; England 56 without loss chasing 628 to win? Yes, cricket lovers around the world are still coming to grips with the stunning and unexpected West Indies victory in the opening match of the current three Test series.
There were many positive developments worth noting and a bundle of records to savour from the encounter which the West Indies won by 381 runs, their second largest margin of victory ever versus England in terms of runs. In the latter instance, the undefeated seventh wicket partnership of 295, the third highest in Test cricket, between Skipper Jason Holder and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich at a crucial time in the game, the second occasion the pair had combined for a double century partnership, takes the opening moments of the highlight reel.
Holder’s all-around performance has catapulted him to the top of the ICC Allrounder rankings, a perch previously occupied by only one West Indian, Sir Garry Sobers, the greatest allrounder, eons ago, in March, 1974. The Captain’s name now appears alongside that of Sir Don Bradman, another legend, as the only two players to score a double century in the second innings of a Test match batting at seven or lower in the order. His innings of 202 not out, the second fastest double century by a West Indian, included eight sixes, the most against England in an innings by a West Indian, and the third highest by a West Indian in a Test innings.
Aside from Holder’s brilliant performance with the bat, there was also unbeaten Dowrich’s century, his third in Tests and the two innings of 81, top score in the first, and 31, by Shimron Hetmyer. Not to be forgotten were the two opening partnerships of 50 odd compiled by Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell, and the first innings fifties from Shai Hope and Roston Chase. Brathwaite, Hope, Chase and Hetmyer all occupied the crease for lengthy periods of time while accumulating their scores, a positive trend which needs to continue on a consistent basis if the West Indies are going to be begin to ascend the rungs of the ICC standings.
The bowling of the four pacers, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Holder in the first innings can only be showered with praise as they routed England for the meagre total of 77 runs in just 30.2 overs to provide the spring board for the crushing defeat. Equally important was Chase’s tantalizing off spin which brought the unlikely return of eight wickets for 60 runs.
Just a minute West Indian fans, hold your horses. Don’t start searching through your vinyl record collection for “ Victory Test Match” by Lord Beginner (or Lord Kitchener, depending on who you ask) and dusting off the record player just yet.
Is this group for real? They have flattered to deceive over the last seven months beginning with a drawn series against Sri Lanka and defeating Bangladesh at home, before been swept 2 – 0 abroad in India and Bangladesh. After their brilliant performance at Headingley, Leeds in August 2017 to draw level in the three-Test series, they succumbed meekly at Lord’s by nine wickets, managing only 123 and 177, at the crease.
Sad it is to say, these West Indians have been raised and played in a losing culture for so long (not their fault), one wonders if they have developed the mindset and belief that they can compete against and beat the best teams in the world, a philosophy which their fellow West Indian, Dr. Rudi Webster has been advocating for the longest time.
Is their latest performance, one of the best of recent times, going to be followed by another weak follow up or are they going to build on it? Does this team, as a group, believe that they can sweep Joe Root’s England team? Expect England to come roaring back here. Aside from the enthusiastic support of the Barmy Army, this is the third ranked ICC Test team who will not want their place on the ladder to slip.
The West Indian cricket fan will not have long to wait to discover if his team has turned the corner, as the Second Test begins tomorrow at the Sir Vivian Richards (most appropriately since he has been among the biggest vocal supporters through these dark times) Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.
