CRICKET, LOVELY CRICKET
Normal. Oh, how the world took that simple word and the idea it represents for granted. Now, the average citizen might give an arm and a leg to regain some semblance of their previous normalcy. For the Caribbean sports fan, cricket is essential for life to return to “business as usual”. Despite the challenges of travel and health restrictions, as well as fickle weather, CWI and our players persevered. A home season with 15 scheduled T20 matches across 3 separate series and 4 territories would be daunting. Our Caribbean people, however, are used to overcoming what others might see as impossible. I mean, we literally survive a hurricane SEASON annually. Pandemic? Ha! Even though Covid teamed up with rainfall, they only cost us 4 matches. As we say in local parlance, “in yuh face!”
THE OBJECTIVES
No sporting body sends a team into competition without clear objectives in mind. The composition of the team usually speaks volumes about what those objectives are. Of the 20 players used across the SA, Australia, and Pakistan matches 9 are already north of 30 in age. Their combined career total for T20 games played for WI and various franchises stand at 2,716. That amount of experience is priceless. In terms of performances, their numbers are staggering–53,661 runs and 1,509 wickets. From my viewpoint, CWI is on a mission to win the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their goal was to get these tried and proven players fit and firing on all cylinders. It is unlikely that many of them will don WI colours at home again. The World Cup could be the last hurrah for some of our brightest T20 stars. CWI is hoping they go out with a bang.
TIME FOR SOME MATH
Statistics alone cannot present the complete picture of the team’s performances, but they do give great perspective and insight. With the exception of the no-result games, let us look at the pertinent numbers, shall we? Luckily, I am a Math teacher. Wait, you thought Math people couldn’t write well? Shame on you! Here we go. WI won all 4 games where they batted first, scoring 707 runs while losing 24 wickets. They averaged 177 runs at a run rate of 8.84. In 2 wins and 5 losses batting 2nd, they scored 1,097 runs and lost 41 wickets. Here, the average was 158 runs at 8.47 from 1,259 deliveries faced. WI batters allowed 542 dot balls. That’s FORTY-THREE PERCENT! They relied instead on 120 sixes and 108 fours to score 1,152 of their total 1,804 runs, 64% in BOUNDARIES because running between the wickets is apparently not the “WI way”.
THE BOWLING FIGURES
Even the most die-hard fan wouldn’t call the WI bowling attack devastating. As a unit, however, they performed better than I expected. They took 33 wickets for 778 runs at an average of 23.58 vs SA. This increased vs Australia to 37 wickets for 766 runs at an average of 20.70. The lone-completed Pakistan game saw 8 wickets for 157 runs at an average of 19.63. Here is where the statistics definitely don’t convey how well individuals performed at times. McCoy’s variations and skills look greatly improved and Walsh Jr. proved wrist spin has a place in the WI set-up. Even at 37 years young, DJ Bravo took his career-best T20 bowling figures. There is still too much reliance on pace for success though. 54 wickets fell to the quicker bowlers while 25 went to the spinners. I do wonder how Narine would have affected this outcome.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED THEN?
Tricky question indeed. Based on the team’s overall performance, I’d have to say it’s 50-50. Most of the senior batters got some runs under their belt but could still be more consistent. The lack of someone reliable to hold the innings together if early wickets fall is glaring. Fitness concerns are going to cause CWI selectors sleepless nights, especially with the bowling unit. For obvious reasons Bravo and Russell need to have their game time carefully managed. With injuries side-lining McCoy and Edwards, and Thomas and Cottrell clearly lacking match fitness, alarm bells must be ringing. The ongoing dilemma regarding the availability of Narine leaves Walsh Jr as the sole “specialist” spin option. Granted, he took his chance well, and both Allen and Hosein filled in adequately. Narine brings the experience of 360 matches with 396 wickets and 2,559 runs to the table, however. Definitely food for thought.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR WI?
As a team, the WI will not have any International assignments until the T20 World Cup later this year. The 2021 CPL season gets underway in late August, however, immediately followed by the resumption of the IPL. All 20 members of the current WI T20I squad will participate in one or both of these tournaments. CWI will need to monitor their progress and keep an eye on other players who may perform impressively. As far as I see it, there is room for improvement across all areas for the WI team. Hopefully, the CWI selectors are of like mindset.
