“[…] At stake during the series will be the continuation of several careers—those of the coaches as well as of a few of the players. “[…] In 18 innings since Kyle Mayers’ outstanding double-century (210*) in the second innings of his debut Test against Bangladesh a year ago, he has …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: What will West Indies selectors do about abysmal batting, Bravo and Roach?
“[…] Jason Holder’s miserly 65-run aggregate was, incredibly, the highest among all the West Indies batsmen [in India]. “The aggregates and associated averages of the West Indies top five batsmen were far more in sync with numbers that would be called at a Bingo game than with those that would …
Read More »Media Monitor: Unamusing musings the morning after Holder’s WI miracle the night before
Although they may not admit it, people do not like to be wrong; certainly, nobody likes to be seen to be wrong. Sometimes, however, you rejoice that you did not get it right. And you are overjoyed that you resisted the temptation to rush into print to share the view …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: Bravo for India? Roach, 33, before Seales, 20? WI selectors are taking big gambles
“[…] Kemar Roach’s ODI stats are not in any way indicative of his abilities as a consistent and reliable wicket-taker. 124 wickets captured in 92 matches played equates to less than two per match. “There is absolutely no questioning the value that Kemar Roach has provided as the West Indies …
Read More »West Indies recall Roach for India ODI series; King and Bonner selected but Evin misses out
Thirty-three-year-old pacer Kemar Roach was recalled to the West Indies team today, one of five changes to the One-day International (ODI) side to face India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad next month. West Indies T20 International opening batsman Brandon King, 27, was also selected along with 33-year-old Nkrumah …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: Hayley, Seales and Brathwaite shine in 2021, but results, fitness and selections stink
“[…] Since making his debut on 10 June against South Africa, 20-year-old Jayden Seales has captured 16 wickets in just four Tests, while demonstrating the pace and accuracy that are the hallmarks of all great fast bowlers. “[…] However, during 2021, the West Indies’ […] final win/loss ratio was a …
Read More »Ineffective spinners and poor strike rotation! McWatt and ‘Reds’ suggest WI changes against Sri Lanka
“[…] The inability of both Rahkeem Cornwall and Jomel Warrican to be anywhere close to as effective as Sri Lanka’s spinners on the benevolent Galle Stadium pitch should now establish once and for all their inadequacy as Test match bowlers. “The same pitch on which they toiled so ineffectively to …
Read More »Roach, Seales in spotlight as West Indies sneak home ahead of Pakistan
Late on Day Four of a see-saw First Test at Sabina Park on Sunday, Kraigg Brathwaite’s West Indies held their nerve and rode their luck to eke out a narrow one-wicket win over Babar Azam’s Pakistan. In a low-scoring game, number 9, Kemar Roach, and number 11, Jayden Seales, came …
Read More »Brathwaite leads from the front but WI bowling fails to break through against S/Lanka
After Kraigg Brathwaite West Indies’ largely encouraging First Test performance, the selectors surprised many with the XI they announced for the Second Test against Dimuth Karunaratne’s Sri Lanka. But the unchanged side earned an honourable draw, entirely justifying the panel’s faith in them and reinforcing the idea that the best …
Read More »West Indian winning, winners and madness of persistent perversity; Best changes for 2nd Test
A winning team. You could safely describe Clive Lloyd’s late Seventies and early Eighties West Indies team thus. Perhaps the tag is also applicable to Vivian Richards’ 1980/90s team which indisputably had what their skipper called ‘the winning habit’. A team that won. That tag befits Kraigg Brathwaite’s second-string side …
Read More »Dear Editor: WI could do with more Hope in ICC Test Chase against Sri Lanka
“[…] The three-member CWI selection panel has been doing a creditable job and the 13-member squad they have chosen to face Sri Lanka will, I think, give a good account of itself. “Even without Shai Hope and Roston Chase. But that does not, in my opinion, justify their exclusion. I …
Read More »Bravo and Holder are only Test inclusions, as CWI retains core from WI’s Bangladesh triumph
All-rounder Jason Holder and batsman Darren Bravo were the only changes to the West Indies Test squad, as the Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel kept faith with the core of its squad who participated in the 2-0 Test series win away to Bangladesh last month. West Indies are captained …
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