When the Ministry of Education decided to include marks from the Grade Two and Grade Four Assessments in the Grade Six Assessment (formerly known as the Common Entrance), the curse of the Extra Lessons Syndrome spread all the way down the ladder of the school system. When the students complete high school and move on to university or enter the workforce, this burden, which has become a daily routine in school life, is elevated from their weary shoulders.
The continued declining performance by the West Indies team at the 2019 World Cup has led one to the conclusion that this team is going to need to attend Extra Lessons after their regular net practices.
Last Saturday the West Indies succumbed to the unbeaten New Zealanders by the slim margin of five runs in a nail-biting finish. It was their fourth loss in five games, with the other match being rained out. The totally frustrated West Indian fan is probably still in shock, as for the third time in this tournament, the West Indies found themselves in a winning position and failed to convert the opportunity. After six rounds, with one win to their credit, the West Indies are in eighth place with virtually no chance of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the semi-finals.
So, wherein lies the problem in failing to convert missed opportunities? The Australians were in dire straits at 38 for four, as were the New Zealanders, who were 10 for two after the opening over. Despite posting a decent total of 321 for eight versus Bangladesh, the unimaginative bowling attack was unable to restrict Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das as Bangladesh raced to victory by seven wickets with 8.3 overs to spare. Granted, the lack of a penetrative spinner might have added variety in the latter instance, but it doesn’t account for the failed run chases in the former two.
In the 15-run loss to the Australians, five of the first six batsmen got off to decent starts with only Shai Hope and Captain Jason Holder going beyond fifty, as neither got to the century mark. Could this shortfall be the lack of concentration? Are the players still wired in the T20 frame of mind?
After witnessing firsthand the brilliant disciplined approach by New Zealand’s Captain Kane Williamson in compiling a match swinging innings of 148, how do Hope, Nicolas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer give account for their casual dismissals? Despite Carlos Brathwaite’s heroic efforts which almost delivered an improbable victory, fans are now left to rue another bittersweet defeat.
Legendary former Captain Clive Lloyd has observed that this side has displayed poor awareness of what is required to win games. Although talented, he further noted that the bowlers needed to have done their homework on opposing players and acquired a better understanding of English conditions, whilst the batsmen needed to convert their good starts into bigger scores more consistently.
There are just too many unanswered questions here. Is Dr Rudi Webster’s prognosis that West Indies’ mental pillar is weak, the possible answer? Do the members of the team really believe in themselves? Do they think they belong on the world stage? Do they actually think they can win games? Losing has become so embedded in their psyche one can only wonder if they subconsciously expect to lose at the end of the day. Would extra lessons on the mental approach to match preparation assist the team?
The West Indies face India tomorrow, Sri Lanka on Monday and finally, Afghanistan next Thursday. Can the West Indies salvage some pride and win all three matches? It’s a tall order, but then again cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.
