Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Grading the West Indies in Bangladesh: the third ODI


The West Indies lost to Bangladesh by eight wickets in the third and final One-Day International, in the process recording their lowest score against that team. After they fell for 61 in 22 overs I was tempted to give them all an F but what would be the fun in that?  Still, I was a bit lenient towards the bowlers since they did not have a lot to work with. So, this is what I came up with.

Danza Hyatt

He never looked settled during his brief innings, due in part to his reluctance to get to the pitch of the full deliveries. It was one such that caused his downfall as his attempted hoick down the ground only ended up in the hands of second slip.

Grade: D

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Kieran Powell

In for his first match of the series after the in-form Lendl Simmons was given time-off compliments of a slight back injury. The Nevisian looked the best of the batsmen before his promising innings was undone by a beauty. The catch he put down at first slip could not have come any easier though.

Grade: C

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Marlon Samuels

His first failure of the series. Like Hyatt he never looked settled and his expansive drive reflected his impatience at the pressure created by some disciplined bowling in helpful conditions. Did return to bowl tidily and pick up a wicket.

Grade D+

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Darren Bravo

Like Pollard before him the left-hander gifted his wicket with a waft at a harmless delivery wide of off-stump.

Grade D

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Kieron Pollard

The manner of Pollard’s dismissal with his team three down with only 34 on the board is an accurate reflection of why he only averages 22 after 45 ODI matches. Branded a 20/20 specialist because of his explosive hitting in the shortest form of the game this was a great opportunity for him play a long innings. He let it slip.

Grade: F

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Darren Sammy

The captain, facing criticism for his lack of production threw away a golden opportunity to prove his doubters wrong, with bat and ball.

Grade: D

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Denesh Ramdin

Another wicket falling to a careless shot! He too wasted a perfect chance to justify the selectors’ decision to include him in this series ahead of Carlton Baugh.

Grade: D

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Carlos Braithwaite

Apart from Powell the only man to reach double figures but was not up to the task of handling the spinners. He did not get an opportunity to show his prowess with the ball.

Grade: D

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Andre Russell

Fans would have been hoping for a repeat of his unbeaten 92 against India earlier this year, but this was not to be. Like Braithwaite he was denied the chance to use the ball given the poor total.

Grade: D

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Kemar Roach

Displayed his usual level headedness but with no top order batsmen for him to support his vigil was always going to be in vain. With the ball he looked to be coming back into form by making like uncomfortable for all the batsmen.

Grade: B-

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Anthony Martin

One would not expect the Number 11 to handle the Bangladeshi spinners better than the top order batsmen but the slog that caused his dismissal was unnecessary given the amount of overs that remained. He did cause a few anxious moments for the batsmen when he bowled his leg-breaks.

Grade: C

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Saturday, October 15, 2011

Grading the West Indies in Bangladesh: the second ODI



The West Indies beat Bangladesh by eight wickets with 44 balls to spare in the second ODI at Mirpur on October 15. Bangladesh were dismissed for 220 to which the West Indies replied with 221 for two. Here are the grades for that game.

Lendl Simmons

The opener followed up his 122 in the first game with a more sedate innings (80) which once again provided the backbone to WI’s successful run chase. His partnership with Samuels took the game completely away from the hosts, the only blemish being his dismissal when seemingly set for another three-figure score.

Grade: A-

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Danza Hyatt

Promoted to open the batting in the absence of an injured Adrian Barath the heavyset Jamaican got his team off to a solid start but threw away his wicket just when he seemed ready to change gears.

Grade: B

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Marlon Samuels

The languid Jamaican went one better than in the first game, he saw it through even hastening the end with a flurry of imperious shots. His unbeaten 88 came off a mere 74 balls and include 12 fours and one six. He certainly is reveling in his new role as senior batsman in the team. He completed a fine all-round effort by taking a wicket with his off-breaks and good catch in the outfield.

Grade: A

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Darren Bravo

The left-hander didn’t have a lot of work to do, at least not enough for a proper assessment.

Grade: N/A

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Kieron Pollard

Like Bravo, the big guy was not called on to do much today.

Grade: N/A

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Dinesh Ramdin

Relieved of the captaincy with the return of Darren Sammy, his wicket-keeping was once again flawless.

Grade: B

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Darren Sammy

Looked out of sorts today. Maybe he is still feeling the effects of the upset stomach which ruled him out of the opening game. Dropped an absolute dolly off of Roach and even the one that he caught he juggled. His field placing was also questionable at times but the WI captain did manage to pick up two wickets of successive deliveries to end the innings.

Grade: B-

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Andre Russell

Produced a brilliant piece of fielding to get rid of Abdul Razak. Troubled all the batsmen with his pace and bounce and, apart from his 9th over when he conceded 16, was on top of his game.

Grade: B

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Ravi Rampaul

He was a model of consistency. After picking up two early wickets he returned in three spells to maintain the pressure on the Bangladeshi batsmen.

Grade: B

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Devendra Bishoo

A lackluster showing from the little leg-spinner necessitated a mere five overs for him.  

Grade: C

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Kemar Roach

A much improved performance over the first match. His double strike in the second over put Bangladesh on the back foot a position from which they never recovered. Given the conditions he did prove to be a bit expensive however.

Grade: B

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Grading the West Indies in Bangladesh: the first ODI


Well it has been a while since I patrolled these corridors and must say I missed you guys. Work and other commitments robbed me of the opportunity to spend the quality time I would love to spend with you, especially given the amount of blog fodder camping around West Indies cricket in the last eight months or so. However, (thankfully) my schedule has afforded me some slack time which I hope to make the most of. My first task back is to grade the performance of the West Indian players on the current tour of Bangladesh, beginning with the first One-Day International.

Right! So here we go: the first ODI, on October 13

Lendl Simmons

Since his return after the unexplained dropping from the Trinidadian has wasted little time in proving to the selectors the brouhaha raised over his omission was worth the energy. Before today he had passed 50 six times from nine ODI outings without carrying on to three-figures. Today however, was the day he chose to make that right. His 122 was purposely composed and provided the backbone for WI’s eventual 298 for four, and came just a few weeks after he was overlooked for a retainer contract.

Grade: A

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Adrian Barath

The diminutive right-hander, although labouring over his 21, provided a solid platform with Simmonds for the first wicket. A hamstring injury, the second such occurrence this year, however forced his retirement, from the match and possibly the series given the fact that hamstrings are notoriously difficult to repair. Barath’s has already sidelined him on two previous occasions and, compounded with this latest occurrence – along with his less than comfortable stay at the crease counts against him.

Grade: B-

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Marlon Samuels

The cool and calm Jamaican was unusually energized today, even doing a little jig after claiming one of his two wickets. His return early this year after a two-year suspension has revealed a more responsible approach to his cricket and his innings today reinforces his stated desire to finally deliver the goods his undoubted talent justifies. His off-breaks, which claimed two vital wickets, again proved useful. His one con would the manner of his dismissal after Simmonds had departed in the same over, at a time when he (Samuels) was expected to take over the anchor role.

Grade: A-

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Darren Bravo

The left-hander came to the wicket when WI lost Simmonds and Samuels in the same over and the team was getting ready to press on the accelerator Given those circumstances his 20 from 19 balls earns him a:

Grade B

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Kieron Pollard

The situation was tailor-made for the big guy when he walked to the middle to join Bravo and he set about ensuring he made the most of it. His 41 from 25 could not be off-set by his five overs for 37 but it did factor in his final grade.

Grade B+


Danza Hyatt

He was not left with much to do with the bat but made his mark in the field with some good saves on the boundary and a catch that deservesa 10.

Grade B


Andre Russell

The budding all-rounder was fast and used the short ball to good effect on a placid track. His two wickets do not reflect how well he bowled.

Grade B


Denesh Ramdin

Captain for the match, his keeping was flawless and his captaincy was not too far behind. He rotated the bowlers well and must have been pretty pleased with theirs’ and the fielders’ response in his first game as WI captain.

Grade B+

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Devendra Bishoo

The little leg-spinner was his usual reliable self, making an important breakthrough and turning his leg-breaks on a track even the much touted Bangladesh spinners could not get purchase on.

Grade B

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Ravi Rampaul

Rampaul once again showed why I consider him the best fast bowler available to the WI. He was miserly up front, albeit without his usual early strike, and returned to use the short ball with telling effect.

Grade B+

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Kemar Roach

More than anyone else the young fast bowler should have relished the opportunity presented by sickness to captain Darren Sammy. He failed to grasp it, looking lethargic and never troubling the batsmen.

Grade C+