On The Cricket Pitch

Still much for Windies to gain from series with Bangladesh

Philip Hackett

Friday, May 28, 2004

With much to lose and on the surface apparently little to gain, Brian Lara’s West Indies team opens the two match series against Bangladesh on the scenic island of St. Lucia this weekend.

The three previous meetings were dominated by West Indies. Bangladesh has lost 26 of 28 Test matches so far. Thanks to the weather they have managed to avoid defeat in the other two.

Given the manner in which West Indies has allowed their most treasured records to fall at home and away, any optimism on the part of Bangladesh is understandable as they go in search once more of their maiden Test win.

On the evidence of the limited over series in which Bangladesh, despite losing all three games, proved to be worthy opponents, West Indies would be well advised to guard against complacency. The Caribbean boys narrowly avoided an embarrassing loss in the opening match only avoiding a complete fiasco through the level headedness of their last wicket pair, Ian Bradshaw, who was batting in a one day international for the first time and fast bowler Fidel Edwards.

Edwards will remember his last wicket partnership with Ridley Jacobs that saved the first Test of the two match series against Zimbabwe that preceded the tour of South Africa. On that occasion it was the left arm spin of Ray Price that worried the Windies. More recently the left arm spin of Islam Rana who sent down ten overs and took three for 21, almost took Bangladesh to victory.

Care must be taken not to read too much into the performance of Bangladesh in the one day internationals. The longer version of the game provides more opportunities for their glaring batting weaknesses to be exposed especially with the battery of fast bowlers selected by West Indies for the first Test. The selection of left arm unorthodox spinner Dave Mohammad, like that of fast bowler Adam Sanford for the opening Test against England, is somewhat baffling. Perhaps Sir Vivian Richards, Joey Carew, Gordon Greenidge and Lara feel compelled to make one perplexing choice in each line up. Many of their surprise picks have worked and maybe Mohammad will find himself in the final eleven and come away with a ten wicket match haul.

Mohammad apart, the West Indies attack seems to be the best available. As far as the bowling is concerned, the future of West Indies cricket is largely in the hands of Tino Best, Edwards and Ravi Rampaul while left arm pacer Pedro Collins adds variety and has been in the best form of his career over the past few months.

In the batting department, Dwayne Smith is an exciting prospect while much is still expected of Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle and Devon Smith.
A comprehensive victory in this series will not mean West Indies has climbed from the near cellar position in the ICC Test standings, but it is critical that the opportunity is used to rebuild the confidence so badly shattered against South Africa England. The record breaking feat of Brian provided the foundation on which we must now build. Players like Gayle have the chance to regain form as the team tries to rediscover the winning habit before setting off for England.

There is talk once again of dividing Test cricket into two levels. We must show quite clearly where we stand in comparison to the newer teams in international cricket. We wasted the opportunity against Zimbabwe last year. Another slip up could be costly.

Though the point often seems to be forgotten by our modern day players, there is plenty of pride in West Indies cricket. The Caribbean public has suffered too much already. Our cricketers need to deliver and they must do so convincingly.

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