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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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+
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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+
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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+
No comments:
Post a Comment