Dear Editor: Windies, wake up! Why do we turn up against England and not Australia?!

“[…] Impatience was our downfall… Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have got to have a long hard look at themselves in the mirror; they’ve got to get their bodies behind the ball or else leave it…”

The following Letter to the Editor on the West Indies’ ongoing Test series against Australia, which they trail 1-0, was submitted to Wired868 by Kendell Karan of Chaguanas, Trinidad:

Australia batsman Travis Head smashes a delivery to the ropes during their 10 wicket win over the West Indies in the First Test.
Photo: CA/ Cricket Australia/ Getty Images

There’s three slips and a gully, the probability of getting an edge when you play square or using the pace is higher. Joshua Da Silva, you know you’re struggling to get over the short ball, duck and let it go!

England are no different to these lot, why do we turn up against them and not Australia?

The better bowling attack won the first test. Given a track friendly for fast bowling, the difference maker was Travis Head’s lone century.

Pace wasn’t an issue, mostly line and length took wickets. Impatience was our downfall. Experience wasn’t the problem either, they all know that. T20 didn’t create this—none of those players are T20 obsessed.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite is bowled by Australia pacer Pat Cummings during the First Test.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have got to have a long hard look at themselves in the mirror; they’ve got to get their bodies behind the ball or else leave it!

There’s three slips and a gully, the probability of getting an edge when you play square or using the pace is higher. Joshua Da Silva, you know you’re struggling to get over the short ball, duck and let it go!

England are no different to these lot, why do we turn up against them and not Australia?

Kirk McKenzie took them on, played his shots down the ground, on his pads, straight bat in the ‘V’. Anything on fourth and fifth stumps, or on a good length he let it go. Put the bad balls away—it’s a five-day test match, it wasn’t that hot.

West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph (right) celebrates the wicket of Australia batsman Steve Smith with his first ball in Test cricket.
Joseph became only the 10th West Indian to take five wickets on his debut during the First Test.
Photo: AFP/ Getty

That West Indies team is more than good enough. Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Da Silva and McKenzie have got to bat in the first innings for a minimum of two days. Shamar Joseph, what a super fit gem we’ve found, you could see he’s something about him, he put the top order to shame.

Gudakesh Motie should sit out for Kevin Sinclair in the Second Test at the Gabba. Brathwaite and Chanderpaul have got to lead the charge to salvage the series.

Speedy recovery to Usman Khawaja, but it happens when you give your mouth too much liberty. We are more than capable with the ball.

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja retired hurt after taking a bouncer to the jaw from West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph in the First Test.

Wake up West Indies! Wake Up!

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