Lethargic display by Windies

THE EDITOR: I am so disappointed and disgusted with the performance (or lack of) of the West Indies team in this First Test vs Bangladesh, that I would not have been unhappy had they lost the match. Maybe that might be the jolt they need to prove the lie that one hears so often — ‘we are not taking the Bangladesh team lightly’ — Big joke! — If the lethargic display of the WI team in this Test was not one of utter complacency and disdain for a team they think are beneath them, then show me otherwise. It seems we have to reach rock bottom before it sinks in that there is much more work to be done by our players.

The Bangladesh bowling was more disciplined than our wayward deliveries, their line and length had our batsmen fighting to get the ball away, whereas our wayward deliveries were gifts for them to make easy runs. Their ground fielding was sharper than the WI’s — the only letdown was their catching which was a blessing in disguise for the WI team. Had Bangladesh not dropped those six catches, WI might well have had to follow on!! — What a disgrace! Their No 9 batsman could make a century when our Nos 8, 9, 10 and 11 could only muster 12 runs. And to add insult to injury Bangladesh declared on the last day as we could not bowl them out.

The Bangladesh team are more focused and keener than WI players and give 100 percent effort and support to each other. On the fourth day (Monday) when rain once again delayed the start of play, the Bangladesh players were out on the field practising their catching to correct the poor performance of the day before. Where were the WI players? In the pavilion, not on the field trying to correct their wayward bowling, line and length, wides and no balls, or sharpening up on their sloppy catching. Before any of these fast bowlers are picked again I hope the coach (bowling or otherwise) would drill them for hours on end until they get some direction with their deliveries, and the entire team put through their paces in fielding, catching and throwing to the wicket.

It is always so amusing to see how a genuine spin bowler cannot earn a place on the side, as the emphasis is always on pace bowling, yet during the match it is the make shift slow bowling that has to rescue the team to stop the fun feast provided by the wayward fast bowlers.  Can’t the selectors see that until we have fast bowlers who can bowl at least three balls in an over on the wicket, that it is time to give the spinners a chance?

SHIRLEY KELSICK
St Ann’s