Will Chris Gayle wear WI colours again?

When coach Otis Gibson called out his senior players for their non-performance in the World Cup early in 2011 he evoked responses from two of them which set off a chain of events that have left West Indian fans divided until now with seemingly no resolution in sight.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the dependable middle-order batsman, was so incensed that he felt it necessary to go to the press where, among other things, he accused the coach of trying to tell him – a veteran of 17 years of international cricket –  how to bat. Chris Gayle, the region’s best opening bats, condemned the captain, coach and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in a radio interview which precipitated a series of events that have conspired to keep the big left-hander out of the regional side ever since.

While Chanderpaul and the WICB settled their differences it has not been so with Gayle who has become immensely popular in the numerous T20 leagues around the world. Accusations and counter accusations were followed by fruitless meetings between the WICB and Gayle’s camp until the player’s cry to CARICOM was heeded by the regional body. The result was a resolution of sorts with both sides expressing regret for their actions, thus paving the way for Gayle’s “active return to West Indies cricket, subject to all necessary fitness considerations”. In an effort to arrive at this amicable settlement Gayle, rather selflessly, gave up his T20 contract with English county Somerset, while the WICB agreed to make an exception to the rule that requires a player to appear in the regional tournament if he is to be eligible for the West Indies in the corresponding international format. This clears the way for Gayle to be selected to the T20 World Cup squad even though he chose to ply his trade with his Big Bash team Down Under rather than represent Jamaica in the Caribbean T20.

That should have been the end of the saga; however, the parties are scheduled to meet again to deal with a few “outstanding residual matters”. One suspects that chief among these matters is the multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the WICB as it relates to unconditional No Objection Certificates (NOC) which would give players the freedom to choose when to make themselves available for the West Indies. The WICB has asked Gayle to withdraw the suit “in the interest of the new beginning that we are in the course of establishing”. Gayle has however refused, pointing out that the lawsuit was started by the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and he (Gayle) “could not possibly contemplate withdrawing unilaterally from proceedings which affect the West Indies players as a whole”.

So, as it stands now fans hoping to see Gayle back in West Indian colours when the Indian Premier League (IPL) is over could have a very long wait on their hands. This writer does not see the WICB backing down from this one which puts Gayle in a bit of a tight spot. Does he want the World T20 so badly that he would abandon the WIPA cause? (The WICB would consider this an especially sweet blow in the ongoing battle with the players’ body). This writer believes Gayle has been keen all along to display the hitting skills which have made him the hottest commodity on the circuit in the World T20. How he handles the Board’s request will determine if he realizes that dream. 

Grading the West Indies in India: the fourth ODI

After winning the third game to open up the series the West Indies harboured hopes of leveling the scores at 2-2 but these aspirations were soon dashed by Indian skipper Virender Sehwag who slammed a record 219 as his team amassed 418. That score was enough for a victory which ended up being by a margin of 153 runs.

Lendl Simmons

Any hopes West Indies harboured of successfully chasing down their huge target rested on Simmons providing a quick start. He did, but fell trying to keep up the momentum.

Grade: C

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Kieran Powell

The tall left-hander came in for his first game of the series, courtesy of an injury to Darren Bravo. He failed to make the most of his opportunity however, being senselessly run out at the non-striker’s end.

Grade: F

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Marlon Samuels

The silky Jamaican briefly lifted West Indian hopes with a 26-ball 33 but when he was deceived by a top-spinner from debutant Rahul Sharma the game was as good as over. In the face of the Indian batting onslaught the fact that he was one of two bowlers whose economy rates were below 7.5 says his bowling effort should be commended.

Grade: C

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Danza Hyatt

Hyatt never looked at ease, even more so in the over when he was dismissed. After being rapped on the pads a few times he was bowled between his legs as he chose to charge a Sharma leg-break.

Grade: F

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Denesh Ramdin

The wicket-keeper seized the opportunity for some stress-free runs, after his team had given up victory, to amass the highest score by a West Indian wicket-keeper in ODIs. He failed by four runs to top it off with his first century when he was last man out attempting to reach the landmark in the game’s final over.

Grade: B

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Kieron Pollard

The big man has said in the past he needs more overs to bat. He had at least 36 here but still only managed three runs. With the ball, he did manage to dismiss Sehwag but gave up more than nine runs per over doing it.

Grade: F

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Andre Russell

He claimed one wicket at nine per over and belted 29 from 24, but like the others before him could not sustain his attack.

Grade: C

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Darren Sammy

The captain looked lost in the field. He allowed himself just three overs which was a wise choice given the fact that he was the only bowler going at over 10 runs per over. The pressure of captaincy is definitely telling on him…how else can you explain the proliferation of dropped catches, including the dolly offered by Sehwag today. He did not do himself any justice with the bat either, holding out to long-off after scoring two.

Grade: F

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Ravi Rampaul

He could not repeat his heroics with the ball (as in the 3^rd game), or with the bat (in the second), although he was one of two bowlers going at less than 7.5 per over.

Grade: D

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Kemar Roach

The paceman conceded 88 from his 10 overs while claiming a wicket in the closing stages of the Indian innings. He was pacey but that did not matter on this benign surface.

Grade: D

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Sunil Narine

After his impressive debut the off-spinner was brought back to earth with a bump, conceding 46 from his six overs. He showed he’s no rabbit with the bat, adding 64 for the 10^th wicket with Ramdin.

Grade: C

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Grading the West Indies in India: the third ODI

The West Indies finally got it right! In the two previous games they had put themselves in good positions to win but always seemed to lack the killer instinct. This time around, despite the heroics of the Indian lower order, they held on to win by 16 runs in Ahmedabad and reduce the deficit to 2-1 in the five-match series.

Lendl Simmons

A rare failure for the Trinidadian opener, the team’s most consistent ODI batsman of 2011! He did not have much to do in the field and was not required to bowl more than two overs of his gentle medium-pace.

Grade: F

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Danza Hyatt

Promoted to open the batting in place of the omitted Adrian Barath, the stocky Jamaican hung around 39 balls for his 20 before gifting his wicket with a careless waft at a leg-side delivery.

Grade: D

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Marlon Samuels

He used his newly found irregular methods to effectively counter the early threat of the Indian seamers. After all the efforts he put into reaching 58 however he threw it away with an overly ambitious shot. In the field he claimed the critical wicket of Partiv Patel with a beauty and bowled well in spells.

Grade: B

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Darren Bravo

The left-hander, in partnership with Samuels, was slowly laying a foundation for a middle-order push when a hamstring strain cut short his innings on 26. He played no further part in the match.

Grade: I

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Denesh Ramdin

The wicket-keeper finally got some runs under his belt in the series, buckling down for a workman-like 38 while adding 55 for the fourth wicket with Kieron Pollard. He also put in some good work behind the stumps, the most notable being the diving catch down the leg-side to get rid of the unlucky Suresh Raina.

Grade: B-

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Kieron Pollard

Pollard got another start but just when he was attempting to switch gears he was well taken in the outfield by Rajendra Jadeja. He was once again good in the field but was only required to bowl one over, which proved to be pretty tidy.

Grade: C+

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Andre Russell

Today he was half of the blitzkrieg that hit the Indians for 79 from the last 34 balls of the innings. His 40 came from 18 balls and helped prove the difference in the final results. His four overs were expensive but his real contribution in the field came from a smart piece of work at point which resulted in the run out of Jadeja.

Grade: B

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Darren Sammy

The captain stepped up big time, smashing 41 from 17 with some clean orthodox hitting which, alongside Russell’s, helped carry WI to a par score on that ground. He almost threw the game away when he dropped Rohit Sharma on 37 (one of two misses) but made amends later with a bullet-like direct hit that ran out the Indian danger man for a classy 95.

Grade: B-

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Ravi Rampaul

The burly pacer had the Man-of-the-Match awarded snatched from his grasp in the previous game, but was not allowing anyone to steal his thunder this time around. He was not called on to bat after the heroics of Sammy and Russell so he set about making his impact with the ball. He did that tellingly with the wickets of Sehwag and Gambhir from his first two deliveries and ended the match by cutting short the dangerous cameo of tail-ender Mithun. His four wickets were sufficient for the award!

Grade: A-

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Kemar Roach

Although a bit expensive he bowled with real pace which was evident in the scorcher that knocked over Vinay Kumar in his final spell.

Grade: C+

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Sunil Narine

The debutant grabbed his opportunity immediately, troubling all the batsmen with his each way spin. His two wickets were critical too: the inform Virat Kohli and the stubborn Ravi Ashwin, the latter to break a seventh wicket stand of 91 with Sharma.

Grade: B

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Grading the West Indies in India: the second ODI

The West Indies took on India in the second of five One-Day Internationals on December 2^nd in Visakhapatnam. After the close lost in Game 1 the visitors were hoping for a better showing but this was not to be. A top order failure left tail-enders Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach with the job of putting a respectable score on the board. In the end 269 for 9 it was not enough as WI went down by five wickets to concede a 0-2 lead in the series.

Lendl Simmons

Simmons was the only top order batsman who spent any considerable time at the crease. He batted well for his 78 and was on top of the bowling when an attempt to farm the strike resulted in his run out. He also bowled three tidy overs of medium-pace when called upon by the captain.

Grade: B

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Adrian Barath

Another failure for the diminutive Trinidadian who laboured eight deliveries without scoring! He did manage to pull off a magnificent catch to get rid of Gautam Gambhir.

Grade: D

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Marlon Samuels

Yet another failure as the WI top-order collapsed. His redeeming feature was that he captured the wicket of the dangerous Indian captain Virender Sehwag during his 10 economical overs.

Grade: D

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Darren Bravo

The left-hander failed to get among the runs on this occasion. It was not so much his failure but the way he got out, playing an ugly hoick to mid-on, that left a bitter taste in the mouth. He followed this up by dropping a relatively easy catch at third-man.

Grade: F

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Danza Hyatt

He did not last two long in the middle and was mostly invisible in the field.

Grade: F

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Denesh Ramdin

The batting woes that have beset West Indian wicket-keepers of recent continued with the Trinidadian once again contriving to bring about his own downfall. He also dropped a straightforward offering from centurion Virat Kohli early in his innings.

Grade: F

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Kieron Pollard

The big man looked ready to take on the Indian attack, motoring to 35 from 30 before he was adjudged caught behind, and this as he and Simmons were mounting a fight back. Although his bowling was nothing to shout about he did pull off a few good stops in the field.

Grade: C+

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Darren Sammy

Yet another failure with the bat for the captain! He didn’t impress with the ball either and his questionable field placing along with his dropped catch off Sehwag combined for a very poor outing for Darren Sammy.

Grade: F

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Adrian Russell

He threw away a perfect opportunity to improve his stock as a batsman with the shot he played and some 19 overs remaining. His bowling was also off-track as was reflected in his figures of none for 60 in just over eight overs.

Grade: F

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Ravi Rampaul

The man mostly responsible for turning this game into a contest! The big left-hander slammed a career-best 86 not out to help lift WI from 170 for nine to 269 for nine when the overs ran out. He also played his part in reducing India to 29 for two by removing Gambhir.

Grade: A-

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Kemar Roach

His level-headed batting ensured an unbroken 99 for the 10^th wicket with Rampaul to turn the match into a contest. After his career-best 24 not out in that partnership the young fast bowler showed he was returning to something resembling top form with a hostile opening spell which accounted for Parthiv Patel and made all the other batsmen uncomfortable.

Grade: A-

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Grading the West Indies in India: the first ODI

After the Test series ended 2-0 in favour of India with a nail-biting draw in the final game (I missed most of the fourth day and all of the final so I don’t think I was in a position to grade it), the West Indies took on the hosts in the first of five One-Day Internationals at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Although putting up a substandard score the visitors fought back in the field, so much that the Indians limped home with one wicket and seven balls to spare. The West Indian cause was not helped by some 23 extras, including a whopping 16 wides and four no-balls.

Lendl Simmons

Back on the sub-continent after missing the Tests the Trinidadian appeared set for another of his sheet-anchor innings that was the hallmark of his Bangladesh campaign before he inexplicably cut at a delivery that was too full and too straight.

Grade: C

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Adrian Barath

The diminutive opener looked in fine form, scoring his 17 from 13 balls with three fours, before he was undone by a beauty from Vinay Kumar.

Grade: C+

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Marlon Samuels

Like Simmons, he has fond memories of his last ODI series and also seemed ready to repeat his heroics of the Bangladesh tour. After posting 10 from 11 however he departed, bowled playing a most awkward shot. His bowling, although economical did not result in any wickets which were imperative for a WI win.

Grade C

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Darren Bravo

The stylish left-hander was definitely the best West Indian batsman on show. While Bravo was at the wicket the team always looked capable of amassing 250 at least. The fluency in his strokeplay, especially through the off-side, was very much evident – as it was in the Tests. His dismissal, bowled by a delivery that kept low, effectively turned the tide in favour of the fielding team.

Grade: B+

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Danza Hyatt

The stocky right-hander was supporting Bravo in a fourth wicket stand of 75, the best of the innings, before a dreadful breakdown in communication resulted in his run out. Until then he was playing his kind of innings, blocking the good balls and blasting the poor ones, and WI looked on course for a score well over 200.

Grade: B-

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Kieron Pollard

The big man continues to flatter and deceive. He had nearly half the overs to bat and, with the devastating hitting we know he is capable of, could have seen WI in the vicinity of 300. Instead, after 33 deliveries from which he scored 13, he manufactured another soft dismissal. He did manage to pick up a wicket but, given the context of the match, was a tad bit expensive. Maybe it’s time to end this experiment.

Grade: C

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Denesh Ramdin

His work behind the stumps was solid but watching him in front of them one could not help but wonder how he managed to chalk up eight first-class centuries.

Grade: C

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Darren Sammy

The captain looked at sea with the bat before being put out of his misery by a delivery he knew nothing about. His captaincy was steady as was his bowling, until the 49^th over when he bowled too short and wide, then overcompensated by bowling too full, allowing boundaries to the numbers 10 and 11.

Grade: C

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Andre Russell

The belligerent Russell is definitely batting two places below his station. He showed that he knows how to keep the scoreboard ticking with his 22 from 20. He was the team’s most economical bowler while claiming two wickets to help reduce India to 59 for five. His dismissal of Suresh Raina was a classic fast bowler’s MO. Having forced the little left-hander on the back foot with several short balls he pitched one up and the Indian, caught on the crease, could only lob the catch up to mid-off.

Grade: B+

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Kemar Roach

He played with a straight bat and level head to ensure WI batted all 50 overs. He also claimed the first three Indian wickets early giving WI the belief that they could actually defend their modest total. His three no-balls and five wides are unacceptable at this level of the game however.

Grade: B+

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Anthony Martin

The live-wire leg-spinner was not very effective today, being picked off easily by the India openers. He did however; make a key breakthrough in the closing stages when his dismissal of Rohit Sharma for 72 briefly revived WI’s hopes.

Grade: C

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Grading the West Indies in India: the second Test

The West Indies were seeking to rebound after their five-wicket loss in Delhi. This was not to be however as, after spending the better part of two days in the field, they collapsed spectacularly for 153 in the first innings. Coming back from a first innings deficit of 478 was always going to be an uphill task and the most fans could have hoped for was a big second innings score and a draw. This was not to be however for, despite Darren Bravo’s century, they went down by an innings and 15 runs.

NB: If readers are thinking that the grades appear a bit harsher for the batsmen it is because I considered the track to be a batting paradise.

Adrian Barath

Back after another injury the little right-hander was out to a beauty in the first innings but buckled down to score a responsible 62 in the second. His impetuous shot-making proved his downfall however when he seemed to be on top of the bowling.

Grade: C+

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Kraigg Braithwaite

The obdurate teenager had a double failure, falling victim to a dubious decision in the first innings and showing a rare lapse in concentration the second time around. His brightest moment came when he claimed his first Test wicket that of Rahul Dravid when ‘the Wall’ was already well entrenched.

Grade: C-

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Kirk Edwards

Once again he demonstrated his willingness to apply himself. However, his manner of dismissal in the second innings, playing around a full delivery, must have left him a most disappointed man especially when he too seemed to have had control of the bowling.

Grade: C+

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Darren Bravo

The BCL clone overcame his problems against off-spinner Ashwin to slam his second Test century as WI struggled to save the game on the fourth day. It was ultimately in vain but during his brilliant 136 and his 30 in the first innings Bravo proved that he is up for the challenge presented by the Indian attack. His innings was not flawless but his willingness to attack the bowling was nicely balanced with the ability to be circumspect on those occasions when it was good. There is no doubt about this one. He is here to stay!

Grade: A

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Shivnarine Chanderpaul

The most senior batsman in the team followed up a rare failure in the first innings with a gritty 47 in the second. Another rarity, a false shot ended that second knock, even as he struggled with an injured calf, after adding 108 for the fourth wicket with Bravo. This is one occasion when he was getting the necessary support from his batting team mates.

Grade: C

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Marlon Samuels

The stylist has not delivered as promised on this leg of the tour. He flopped again in the first innings, scratching out an unimpressive 25. However, after another shaky start to the second knock he blossomed into something resembling the form he displayed at the start of the Bangladesh tour just over a month ago. He seemed well on his way to registering his third century, and second at the venue, when his tendency of playing back to good length balls caused his downfall for 84. His partnership of 132 with Bravo for the fifth wicket was the most substantial of the innings.

Grade: B-

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Carlton Baugh

Although he continued to impress behind the stumps his double failure in front did him no favours. This is especially so since his predecessor and rival for the position, Denesh Ramdin, was discarded for not scoring enough runs. Given Ramdin’s proven ability as a leader the scales could once again be tipping in the Trinidadian’s favour if Baugh continues in this vein.

Grade B-

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Darren Sammy

Like all his bowlers skipper Sammy toiled manfully on a batsman’s paradise, and ended with two wickets for his efforts. While batting his intent is obviously to play aggressively, but this he needs to temper with better shot selection. As captain he continues to be at a loss when opposition batsmen get set although one could make the case that not much could be done as a bowler on that pitch.

Grade: C

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Kemar Roach

Two of his no-balls probably made all the difference in this game. He found the edge of MS Dhoni’s bat on three occasions. The third one came after the Indian skipper had notched up 144 in a seventh wicket stand of 244 with VVS Laxman and was pouched by wicket-keeper Baugh. The previous edges were also snared by Baugh but both were off no-balls and Dhoni had not yet achieved double figures. Roach played this game after another illness to Ravi Rampaul, (and what a pitch to get that opportunity own) but it is situations like these where legends make their names, and he did not exactly help his cause.

Grade: C

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Fidel Edwards

The fiery pace man tended to bowl too short and was duly rewarded with just the one wicket. He needs to readjust his length if he wants to contribute to WI saving some face in the final game. A point to note: known more for his dour defensive approach to batting, he seems to have added a few shots to his repertoire.

Grade C

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Devendra Bishoo

The little leg-spinner bowled the most overs on his team but, like his mates, erred too often in length. His lone success was the wicket of the maestro Tendulkar who he also dismissed in Delhi.

Grade C

Grading the West Indies in India: the first Test

Following their 1-nil series win in Bangladesh the West Indies moved on to India where they took on the host just a week later in the first Test of a three-match series. Although the conditions were similar the same could not be said for the opposition. Nevertheless the visitors held their own for the first two days until a dismal batting performance in the second innings gave India the opportunity to sneak back into the game and eventually win by five wickets.

Kraigg Braithwaite

Braithwaite once again displayed remarkable powers of concentration and patience in his first innings 63 which was the team’s second highest in the match behind Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 118. It was also part of the 108-run fourth wicket partnership with Chanderpaul. He could not repeat the effort in the second innings however. It would also help his cause if he learnt to rotate the strike a bit more.

Grade B-

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Kieron Powell

Following his good showing in the final Bangladeshi Test the upright lefthander would have been looking forward to a much sterner examination. It came and he flunked it, never really looking comfortable in the first innings and failing to get on top of his drive during the second when he failed to bother the scorers.

Grade D

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Kirk Edwards

Despite scoring only 15 and 33 Edwards looked the most accomplished of the WI batsmen apart from Chanderpaul. His inexperience in Indian conditions no doubt caused his first innings downfall and a horrible lack of judgment his second innings demise. The application he showed though bodes well for the rest of the tour.

Grade: C

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Darren Bravo

Coming off his career-best 195 in Bangladesh Bravo must have fancied his chances in India. However, the left-hander made 12 in both innings. He was troubled by off-spinner Ashwin in both innings, and dismissed by the debutant both times. On this evidence he will be in for a tough time in the rest of the series.

Grade: D

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Shivnarine Chanderpaul

The veteran left-hander was head and shoulders above his contemporaries during his two knocks. Watching him bat one wondered if they were playing on the same track. Chanderpaul easily racked up 118 in the first innings and seemed on his way to another century the second time around when he was undone by a beauty. He needs lots of support if WI are to come back into this series.

Grade A

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Marlon Samuels

Given his form in the Bangladesh ODIs and the fact that he is a senior batsman in the team Samuels is expected to play a leading role in run scorer. Added to that the fact that he and Chanderpaul are the only batsmen with Test experience in Indian and you get the picture why he has been a disappointment. In the little time he spent at the crease he looked distinctly uncomfortable, as difficult as that is to contemplate. His off-breaks proved useful in breaking partnerships in both innings but his batting needs to improve to provide the support Chanderpaul needs.

Grade: D+

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Carlton Baugh

The little wicket-keeper hardly put a foot (or glove) wrong during the two innings. His glove-work was supreme and his alertness accounted for at least one dismissal which might otherwise have gone abegging. With the bat he once again showed signs that his impetuous shot-making days might be over that is until, once again, he produced two such ill-advised shots which caused his downfall in both innings.

Grade: B+

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Darren Sammy

The skipper rang the changes well during the first innings and seemed to have his fielders in all the right places. He seemed to run out of ideas however when batting became easier in the Indian second innings. With the ball, his three wickets in the middle of the Indian first innings took the wind out of the hosts’ sails but, although getting the key wicket of Virender Sehwag, could not repeat his feat in the second. His second innings 42 showed signs that his shot selection is improving.

Grade: B

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Ravi Rampaul

The burly paceman did not get much help from the pitch although he did return to dismiss Rahul Dravid while cleaning up the tail in the first innings. He went wicket-less in the second and although he showed some potential with the bat contrived to throw his wicket away.

Grade: C

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Fidel Edwards

Like his new-ball partner Edwards found no assistance from the pitch although he produced two peaches to account for his wickets in both innings. With more of the same wickets expected in the next two games he and Rampaul will certainly need to make adjustments in their length AND line if they are to make any impression.

Grade: C

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Devendra Bishoo

The leg-spinner was on a high going into this game after his exploits against Bangladesh and, with Chanderpaul likening the track to the one in Bishoo’s home town at Albion, expectations were high for the little man. He struggled for consistency however and capturing the wickets of Sehwag, Laxman and the 15,000-run man Tendulkar would have been small consolation.

Grade: C

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