Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 01, 2014 Sports
Colin E. H. Croft
Preambles are almost complete, so, as HBO’s unique, superlative boxing compere Michael Buffer would intone melodically: “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
Chris Gayle is still “iffy” for his 100th Test, at ‘home’, while Sunil Narine is the unlikely victim of his own successes in Indian Premier League, and has, very interestingly, opted out of WI v NZ Test series, preferring to appear in 2014’s IPL final.
A fit Gayle will play, while Denesh Ramdin, new WI Test captain, will lead, except something untoward happens to him too.
That leaves nine, possibly ten, additional players to be selected for WI for this opening Test of 2014’s Caribbean international cricket season, from fifteen originally submitted by WICB’s selectors.
Main question: Can WI be sufficiently good to beat New Zealand?
Difficult question, but, having already covered Gayle and Ramdin, let’s examine the others called up.
Sulieman Benn: “Big Benny” should have been included in WI squad for ICC WT-20 Bangladesh, last March, as he is the tightest, most aggressive regional left-arm spinner, but this is not T-20 or ODI, and a meagre 51 wickets, 17 Tests, 41.41 average is not impressive. With Narine gone, and games, still, in Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana, he plays.
Darren Bravo: “Lil Bravo” should be straining at the bit after that last tour to New Zealand. His 2014 regional games for T&T were abysmal, but he is one of the young pups of West Indies cricket. 27 Tests, 2011 runs, avg. 44.68 stand him in good stead for continuation.
Dwayne Bravo: Darren Sammy has quit Tests, so Dwayne will certainly get his first Test in four years. His ebullience is eye-catching and contagious and WI needs inside cheer-leaders. Fully fit, 40 Tests, 2200 runs, 31.42 avg., plus 86 wickets, 39.83 avg. would be welcomed experience for his new captain.
Shiv Chanderpaul: Nearing 40, debuting in 1994, “Tiger” remains the back-brace for WI batting. Highest-by-a West-Indian 153 Tests, 11,219 runs, 51.93 avg., are great numbers in any age of world cricket. Shiv cannot go on forever. Those young upstarts must step up to help him at remaining focused, active and at the crease.
Kirk Edwards: At nearly 30, cricket’s maturing age, he only has twelve Tests, only 821 runs, but at a fair avg. 35.69. Stupid arrogance and indiscipline do not a great batsman make. Edwards must step up this series or be considered for vacation of his No. 3 position. He is at the cross-roads of his WI tenure.
Shannon Gabriel: Six Tests, thirteen wickets is way below requirements from a strike bowlers, but with recent, long-term injuries, one hopes that, at 26, he does not become another, lesser Ian Bishop; excellent with 161 wickets, 43 Tests, 24.27 avg. In 2014, Gabriel bowled well in spurts for T&T, but not quickly. If form, fitness and confidence hold this season, he could be a handful.
Jason Holder: No Tests yet for this exciting prospect, but not since Cameron Cuffy and especially Joel “Big Bird” Garner, has any WI pacer stirred the imagination as this 22 year old. Holder would do well to be even half as good as Garner, one of the best four fast bowlers WI has ever produced.
Shane Shillingford: 2014 is also a big year for Shillingford. Still with doubts about his bowling action – twice supposedly corrected – this season will be either the year he sinks permanently or swims to glory. Thirty-one now, “Shilli” has produced well; 14 Tests, 65 wickets, 32.32 avg. He can be a match-winner in this spin friendly era in WI cricket.
Kieran Powell: He may eventually become WI captain too, but firstly, at twenty-four, 20 Tests, 1044 runs, 28.21 avg., is barely acceptable after coming through the ropes from Under 15. With added responsibility of captaincy for Leeward Islands, West Indians hope that Powell now gets that real desire and batting discipline to go on to much bigger and better scores.
Kemar Roach: Also coming back from a lengthy injury lay-off, Kemar’s presence is God-sent, in many respects, including a recent miraculous escape in a one-car accident. 23 Tests, 85 wickets, 27.71 avg. show that he can lead WI bowling attack with his small but wiry frame, a la late great Malcolm “Macco” Marshall. Uncertainty in Roach’s confidence of full fitness could hamper him. If not, look out!
Marlon Samuels: West Indies’ enigma, 33 year old “Sammy” could be as warm as the Sahara or as cold as Siberia. Reminiscent of Lawrence Rowe and Carl Hooper, Samuels has every shot, but……! 51 Tests, 2983 runs, 35.51 avg., mean that this senior batsman must, right now, take on responsibilities for team.
Jerome Taylor: Like Gabriel and Roach, Taylor is also coming off a long injury lay-off from WI cricket, but did well in 2014 for Jamaica. However, this trio means that WI fast bowling attack is very suspect, with their long, recent injuries. If fully fit and firing, Taylor, mature at 30, with 29 Tests, 82 wickets, avg. 35.64; could be the come-back of 2014!
Which of these would join Randin at Sabina Park, to perhaps beat NZ, is up to conjecture! Enjoy!
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 18, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been named Wisden’s leading Twenty20 Cricketer for 2023, as she topped all and sundry, including her male counterparts. Alan Gardner looks...Kaieteur News – Compliments of the Ministry of Education, our secondary school children are being treated to a stage... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]