WI with selection headache

The first of 2 away tests vs Sri Lanka at Galle, kicks off on Sunday 21 November. Let’s not beat around the bush. The WI has never won a Test series in Sri Lanka but drew their last series against the same opposition on benign playing surfaces in the Caribbean. That’s the reality, that’s how tough it is to play in South Asia. It brings into focus once more how incredible their last win was vs Bangladesh.

But that’s long over, and since then, the WI has, to their credit, a drawn series vs SL, a 0-2 hammering from South Africa, and a 1-1 drawn series vs PAK in that order. They’ll be hoping to end the year on a positive note, with a squad that in make up, strongly resembles the one that last toured Bangladesh.

On their last tour to Bangladesh, one must not forget that there was the attempted coup d’état of WI selection when several senior players decided to “jump ship” and make themselves unavailable for a plethora of absurd excuses, including contrived bubble fatigue (while still making themselves available for the BBL and the Dubai T10 carnival)….top of the list being former skipper Jason Holder and Shai Hope, now included having rightfully lost their places as Capt and player, respectively. The group of absentees had hoped that they would have forced the tour to be called off. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

It’s all history now….let’s move on.

Holder easily slips into the all-rounder position as he has in recent tests, but what’s going to be the decision on Shai Hope? The selectors and coaches tried to solve the opening frailties by re-introducing Hope to test cricket to accompany skipper Brathwaite at the top of the order. It failed.

Uncapped Trinbagonian Jeremy Solozano is a new inclusion and is sure to debut/open the innings. Recently, the selectors have stuck by Nkrumah Bonner at 3(barring injury), while Chase, VC Blackwood, and Myers have rounded out the top 6. From there, Holder will likely bat at 7, and keeper Da Silva at 8, with 3 bowlers making up the final XI. So who’s it going to be?

HOPE, MYERS OR BONNER???

There have been some rumblings around the region about the terrible lack of batting form from Kyle Mayers in recent tests. His bowling, however, has been more than helpful. But with 3 main bowlers, Holder, and Chase, who are sure to start, does he keep his place? Does his heroic debut double hundred a year ago vs Bangladesh keep him in??? His exclusion can have the effect of weakening the backup bowling options. But Bonner has also been hot and very cold. You either get a 100, a duck, or an injury. Can he hold his place? Hope is one of the best players in the region – FACT. Does he get ahead of these guys?

BOWLING COMBINATION – the final 3.

The main bowling options include Roach, Seales, Gabriel among the pacers, with 3 slow bowling options in Cornwall, Warrican, and Veerasammy Permaul. In my opinion, there are no spinners in this squad.

My feeling is that the selectors are going to be tempted to go with 2 pacers, and one of Cornwall, Warrican, or Permaul. Gabriel will be lucky to be included before either Roach or Seales, and what is likely to be spin-friendly conditions, a slow bowling option will get the nod. Can Permaul breakthrough?? I just don’t see it happening. The weight of Cornwall’s runs will probably squeeze him in.

It’s been raining quite a bit in Galle as we build-up to the first test. I expect slow, seaming wickets that offer much for the spinners as well. The batting teams will have to work hard for their runs, especially on day 1. The toss could be vitally important.

With the only warm-up match rained off, the men in maroon have been hard at work in the nets. As always, I wish them the very best. Here’s even wishing for some more heroics. They’re going to need it. I expect Sri Lanka to be dangerously formidable opposition on their home turf. As Wayne Kangaloo always says….Rallyyy!!!

Possible starting XI

1. Brathwaite (Capt)

2. Solozano

3. Bonner/Hope

4. Chase

5. Myers

6. Blackwood (VC)

7. Holder

8. Da Silva

9. Cornwall

10. Roach

11. Seales