A few positives from the Sri Lanka tour

Hello folks, it’s been a while since I dropped in – more than three weeks in fact. In that time the waterlogged ERI Test series between the West Indies and Sri Lanka came to an end and the limited-over leg of the tour was postponed. The second and third Tests were reduced to 213 and 103 overs respectively by rain which also forced the ODIs’ postponement. Despite the severe abbreviation however there was time for some positives.

The performances of two of the youngest members of the team stand out most conspicuously. Kemar Roach showed he is quickly learning what it takes to compete at the highest level. His Man-of-the-Series haul of 10 wickets was achieved in conditions unhelpful to fast bowlers and with little in terms of pace support at the other end. Though it is early yet his relative success reminds me of the great Malcolm Marshall who did not let the unresponsive surfaces of the sub-continent affect his production level. I’m excited to see how Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards perform when they return to full fitness since I believe that trio could be a lethal combination.

I said at the start of the series that I was still waiting for Darren Bravo to impress me. After the first test he was well on the way to doing that and went even further in the remaining games when he scored two more half-centuries. However, just as the surfaces in Sri Lanka could be unhelpful to fast bowlers it could be quite accommodating to batsmen and he will win me over totally when I see him succeed on some faster tracks. Having said that, given his confidence and poise - and if I were a betting man - I would wager that he’ll pass that test with flying colours.

Not as conspicuous was the performance of Brendan Nash who continued to be his usual reliable self in his usual unobtrusive way. His level-headedness in the middle-order has proven to be most valuable ever since his debut and, if Shivnarine Chanderpaul is indeed on his last legs as some are wont to believe, then his value could very well be magnified.

Chris Gayle flattered to deceive with his monumental 333 in the first Test when fans were salivating at the prospect of him overtaking Brian Lara’s record of 688 in a three-test series. Sadly, in three additional innings, he failed to carry his aggregate to 400. It was as if, as hinted at elsewhere, he felt he had done enough to prevent the WICB from treating him the way they “treated Sarwan for standing up and talking out”. One would sincerely hope that is not the case.

Some mention must also be made here of Carlton Baugh who was playing his first Test for six years. His wicket-keeping still needs a bit of work but the application he showed during his half-century in the Second Test says to me he is keen to grab this particular opportunity with both hands.

The reporting of Shane Shillingford for a suspect action may have thrown the off-spinner off his game after a good First Test performance. As noted before however, I think he will pass the examinations and be once again available for selection.

I cannot close without once again touching on the Darren Sammy captaincy issue and the legitimacy of his place in the team. In my opinion anybody can be a captain but few can be a leader, and in the current West Indies setup there is definitely a paucity of leaders. The WICB has obviously seen some leadership qualities in Sammy and are hoping he is the one to spearhead the revival of West Indies cricket. It is definitely a gamble and for the sake of WI cricket I hope it works. 

Expect the Sri Lankans to bounce back

As I write this piece the start of the second ERI Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka is just a few hours away. To say it is eagerly anticipated would be an understatement. West Indian fans are anxious to see if their team’s performance in the first game was just an anomaly, or if the players are really a rejuvenated bunch willing – and able – to apply themselves to the cause of returning the Calypso Kings to the pinnacle of world cricket.

Not many expected the series to be nil-all after the first Test, and for the West Indians to emerge with their heads held high. But thanks mainly to the brilliance of Chris Gayle and the inspired bowling of Shane Shillingford and Kemar Roach that is exactly the situation.

The West Indian acquitted themselves well. In my opinion Darren Sammy led the team admirably although I do believe he should have taken the new ball when it was due in the Sri Lanka first innings. I would also like to see him bowl a few more overs, after all he is a bowling all-rounder, and not a cheerleader as some of his detractors put it.

As a result of their showing the real test of Sammy and his men’s mettle begins now. The Sri Lankans are smarting. You could clearly hear the disappointment in Kumar Sangakkara’s voice when he basically admitted in the post match interview that they were surprised at the West Indians’ competitiveness. In other words they underestimated us. They know for sure now that this team did not just show up to pad anybody’s resumé. This team came to play cricket.

And so the Sri Lankans are eager to make amends. They are looking forward to the game as much as we the fans are.

Someone I’m certain is looking forward to this game more than most is Sulieman Benn. The fiery spinner was forced to sit out the first game due to his indiscretions against South Africa earlier in the year. How he must have longed to be in the middle to exploit the Galle conditions alongside Shane Shillingford who, I believe, will survive this examination of his bowling action. Given the problems he posed in Galle seeing him and Benn operating in tandem at Premdasa is another eagerly anticipated subplot.

Benn’s expected return, although welcomed, however weakens the new ball attack with Andre Russell most likely to make way after just the one Test. This means Dwayne Bravo should partner Roach up front. Not entirely a proposition that would cause opposition openers sleepless nights but entirely necessary especially since the alternative is the skipper himself.

In closing I must say the man has only been in charge for one game and should be given some slack. His personal returns were negligible, to say the least, but he did preside over a draw in a match his team dominated. And I do recall a statement from the West Indies Cricket Board earlier in the year that the short term focus is on drawing games. What better way for Sammy to start than by drawing a game in the fortress that is Sri Lanka?

For those who cannot accept that the man is in the team I would like to remind them then he was named captain for three series. After that his performance and that of the team will be reviewed. If both are found wanting then I’m sure he would be shown the door, but if the team manages to perform beyond our expectations, win a few matches…maybe a series, then it means Sammy is doing something right. It means the team would be making steps towards top ratings again…and that is what we all want to see, right?

Round One to the West Indies!

It may be only the first day of the series, with another 14 to go, and on a featherbed of a pitch but I can’t help but feel that this series is going to be a competitive one. I guess seeing the score at 362 for two, and the West Indies batting, is as good a hint as any that the tourists will not just roll over and die as many predicted and many more hoped.

Chris Gayle led the way superbly and, apart from a little period at the start of his innings, looked in completely control of the Sri Lankan bowlers. The youngsters, Adrian Barath and debutant Darren Bravo, were perfect foils – the former while the big left-hander was getting into his stride, and the latter when he was running amok.

I’ve said before that I believe Barath is the real deal so, if anything he disappointed me by not going on to three figures after such a good start. He is still only 20 though so he will have a lot of time to make up for me.

Bravo on the other hand went a long way towards winning me over as a fan. In my previous appearance I admitted that I was impressed with his flashes of brilliance but I wanted to see more. I would be flattered if he reads Balgo’s Blog but he did seem on a mission to please me. He is not short on confidence, some even call him arrogant, but what I saw and liked during his 58 was the dedication and the recognition of what his role was in that record second wicket partnership with Gayle. Conceding authority to the senior man he quietly went about constructing his innings while allowing Gayle to plunder at the other end. He still managed to display his moments of brilliance but he, like Barath before him, went too soon – leaving one yearning for more.

Naturally the similarities to Brian Lara would inevitably be mentioned. The commentators did it and one friend actually called me almost swooning at the similarities. That said, if the young Bravo could be half as good as the great man then the West Indies would have found a gem.

And now on to Mr. Gayle! From comments posted elsewhere one gets the impression he set out to prove a point to the West Indies Cricket Board following the whole contract issue. If that is so then I say right on Mr. Gayle! Prove all the points you want! Your innings was a joy to behold and here is hoping you continue in that vein on day 2 and throughout the series.

Darren Bravo and Andre Russell to make debut

It is customary when teams embark on tours that include Test matches to have the players earmarked to appear in the first Test participate in the final warm-up game. If the tour is a short one, as is prevalent of late, then that game could be the only one prior - thus making it imperative that the players for the first Test get a knock unless injuries or IPL (read Gayle and Bravo) prevent them.

Therefore the inclusion of Darren Bravo in the only warm-up match in Sri Lanka is a clear indication that the 21 year-old left-hander will make his debut come November 15.

It also appears that he will occupy the pivotal number three position, a huge task for one so young not only in years but in experience. He is yet to top 100 first-class runs but promises much more and, with Ramnaresh Sarwan out of the way for now, has the opportunity to not only cement his place in the team but at number three.

Me? I’m not yet sold on him. He certainly shows flashes of brilliance but a first-class average of 36.72 is not exactly the stuff legends are made of. That said I would really like for him to make a believer of me because I get the impression he can be a real dominant force if he gets it right. Good luck to the lad. And good luck to Sarwan as he works to recapture his place.

The young Bravo’s inclusion settles one of two spots I saw as uncertain going into the opening game. It was him or Devon Smith who I thought would have been given the nod as the last chance to justify Butts and company’s faith in him.

The other spot in contention is the one to decide who partners Kemar Roach with the new ball. Playing 12 players per side in the warm-up afford the selectors to have the proposed first Test side get a good run and at the same time size up Nelon Pascal and Andre Russell, the contenders.

Pascal brings a lot more experience to the table, and a bit more pace, but Russell’s strike-rate tells me he is better wicket-taker. His average of 26.39 also tells me he does not give away a lot of runs taking those wickets. The fact that he is a lower-order batsman capable of scoring a first-class century is enough for me to give him his debut come November 15.

My team therefore, in batting order, would be: Christopher Gayle, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brendan Nash, Dwayne Bravo, Carlton Baugh, Daren Sammy, Andre Russell, Shane Shillingford and Kemar Roach. 

Give us Dowlin! We will give you Chattergoon!

Over the years the Guyana selectors have never failed to amaze me. If they are not dropping someone because he is too old (at 30!) they are picking someone else because “it is time to give the youths a chance”, or – in this age when every Jack, and his grandmother, carries a cell phone – the player cannot be located.

Travis Dowlin is not hard to locate. Even if you are finding it difficult just contact his club president, a close personal friend. He will know how to find him. So, it must be that at 33 he is too old to be considered for the recent WICB 50-over tournament in Jamaica.

But wait! Didn’t he score two half-centuries from four games when Guyana won the Caribbean 20/20? Oh, but he did fail to score quickly in the AirTel in South Africa when, according one reporter, he was following the coach’s orders to be watchful and lay a solid foundation. Okay! He did not produce the goods in South Africa but what does his performance in a 20/20 have to do with selection for a 50-over competition? And did he not produce another half-century from two games in the inter-county, which was used as a yardstick for the Jamaica tournament? And how remiss it would be of me not to mention a mere five months ago he was considered good enough to be playing Tests!

The other senior player overlooked for the Jamaica tournament was Sewnarine Chattergoon. Like Dowlin, he failed in South Africa, and apart from one innings, did the same in the Caribbean T20. To me this is not surprising since I do not believe his style of play is suited for that format of the game. What is surprising to me is his palpable lack of form dating back to the 2009 President’s Cup (50-over) when he averaged 7.75, and the 2010 four-day when his average was 17.75. It was a sad to see a player identified for big things ever since he appeared for the West Indies Under-15, deteriorate so rapidly.

In my opinion Chattergoon was due for a dropping. He could not go alone however, so the bartering started.

Chatters had to take a Demerarian with him. That happened to be Dowlin, while a younger Demerarian and a much younger Berbician (who ended up not playing a game on tour) made the squad.

A so me see it!

Follow the Tiger, Sars!

A lot of folks have been encouraging me to resume writing (People actually miss me). So, I finally gave in and here I am, but with a twist. I believe it is called blogging.

First up I will address an issue that is very much current, the overlooking of Ramnaresh Sarwan for, not only a central contract but also selection for the Sri Lanka tour, by the West Indies selectors. I will not get into the debate about whether the WICB was correct in snubbing Sarwan. The most I am going to say is that if you are going to buck the system your game has got to be airtight.

Sarwan is quoted as saying the contract snub did not affect his game but in my humble opinion his scores in the various forms of the game since the start of September when those offered contracts were made known prove otherwise. It is obvious that he has been put off by the happenings. I venture to say his state of mind had a direct effect on the performance of the Guyana team at both the AirTel and the regional one-day tournament. If a captain is not focused he cannot get the best out of his team. The all-conquering West Indies teams of the 1980s proved that, and so did the Aussie behemoth which followed. Sarwan’s performance or lack of, in the face of such adversity brings into question his mental strength.

In 2005 Shivnarine Chanderpaul was sent home for being “tired and lethargic”. In response “Tiger” displayed the mental fortitude we all knew he possessed from since the days when he was too small to score his runs in front of the wicket. Whether indeed he was tired and lethargic I don’t know but what followed was the purplest patch of his career, starting him on the way to being the most dependable batsman in the region and a ranking as the number one in the world.

Sarwan would do well to take a page out of the Chanderpaul book. A single-minded determination to succeed is what is needed. Shiv has said before he just wants to play cricket. Sarwan should adopt that attitude too. His future as a West Indian player depends on it. His droves of fans are depending on it, and West Indies cricket is depending on it.