Says Joseph (Reds) Perreira
As I look towards tomorrow’s second Test commencement, I do not expect the West Indies to bounce back with a victory after playing so poorly in the opening Test.
Assessing the West Indies second Test line-up, I can only see one change, that is, Cornwall being left out for the inclusion of Alzarri Joseph. Kieran Powell will continue to take the place of Nkrumah Bonner, who will be out because of the concussion protocol. My 11 therefore, is, Kraigg Brathwaite (Capt.), Powell, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Joshua DaSilva, Joseph, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.
Gabriel is being assessed and has been working out in the nets, but it will not be advisable for Coach Phil Simmons and lead selector Roger Harper to risk him at this time.
Reflecting on the opening Test, there were several errors the West Indies made. It is interesting to note the pre-match statement of Coach Phil Simmons when he said, the strength of both teams is the bowling. Yet, we won the toss and batted on a track ideal for fast bowling. However, Captain Brathwaite defended his decision to bat first. The choice to play off-spinner Cornwall in conditions which would have favoured Alzarri Joseph by a country mile, was hard to reconcile. When South Africa were 233 for 8 with Holder and Seales already having long spells, we did not have Joseph to assist in bowling out the South African tail.
There is no doubt the judgement to bat first, and the inclusion of Cornwall were major errors which led us to our first Test defeat by an innings and 61 runs.
If South Africa wins the toss, they are naturally expected to send us in after bowling us out for 97 and 162. The West Indies batsmen can expect more of the same from the South African quartet. However, they must come to terms with what seems to be an inability to play genuinely quick bowling. Based on the batting skills of Chase one is tempted to put both himself and Holder higher up the order to combat the hostility of the South Africans.
On a more relaxing note, before the Test starts tomorrow, Cricket West Indies arranged for a relaxing Catamaran cruise down the St. Lucian west coast, to ease the confinement of the bubble. The South African team was entertained on Monday while the West Indies contingent made the trip the following day.
The decision not to allow spectators will remain for the series. However, there is a possibility that for the Australia matches, both Grenada and St. Lucia may be allowed to have some spectators who have received both vaccines. The details are being worked out; nonetheless, full Covid-19 protocols will have to be adhered to.
