Commendable performances during the second innings of the Old Trafford test gave the West Indies the morale boost needed in this N Power series.
Coming off a massive defeat at Headingley, the players bounced back sufficiently well to threaten winning the match. Thanks mainly to a magnificent spell of bowling by debutant Darren Sammy along with good rear guard and determined batting by the team.
Former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, our own Runako Morton, Devon Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Danish Ramdin and Jerome Taylor deserve special mention.
Also worth mentioning is the fighting spirit the team has put forth in the series. True, they have not been as consistent as one would expect but the efforts are being shown as improvements on the recent past. True, the fielding is below par and the catching just as bad, but again improvements are expected sooner rather than later.
The long awaited and overdue selection of Darren Sammy was like a breath of fresh air to the team. One hopes the selectors will be guided by wisdom and select players on merit rather than patriotism and favoritism.
With the final test starting on Friday, the team should be going into the match full of confidence and determination to end the series with a victory. However, with Sammy still unsure of recovering from the groin injury sustained in the match, it must be very frustrating for him and the team as they press forward in their quest for victory.
Focus will shortly be on the ODI series that starts following this last test. As the never ending saga continues between WICB and their entities, the selectors now seem to be have their turn and have threatened resignations.
The injury that forced Captain Sarwan to withdraw from the team has opened a can of worms. His replacement in the team, Marlon Samuels, has already complained to WICB about what he terms as discrimination against him. He bitterly claims that lack of batting opportunities afforded him by coach David Moore is hampering him from getting into the team.
Also, WICB initially rejected the selectors’ nomination of Chris Gayle as captain of the ODI series and sided with Daren Ganga for leading the team instead. First, Ganga was not selected in that squad and to be appointed captain by WICB definitely did not sit well with the selectors. Subsequently, WICB backed off and Chris Gayle is now expected to lead the team for the ODI series.
These and similar occurrences often affect players and their performances. With WICB hoping on a fresh start, the least one can hope for is some unity at home.
With that in place the team efforts should not be in vain.
