Fast bowlers impress King

PERTH: West Indies coach Bennett King believes regional cricketers need to broaden their scope if they are to be part of a winning West Indies team once again, particularly in the shorter version of the game. “I’m certainly looking at the cricketers in the Caribbean becoming more dexterous and more versatile,” the new West Indies head coach stated when asked what needed to be done for the team to continually improve in the aftermath of the 30-run loss to Pakistan in Perth on Tuesday that eliminated them from the finals of the tri-nation VB Series.

“They will have their specialties of course, but I think it’s important for them to be multi-dimensional and not just one-dimensional,” the 39-year-old elaborated. “If we can do that, I think that in situations like we found ourselves today, we’d be coming out better.” The lack of quality all-rounders has been one of the many bugbears of contemporary West Indies cricket.  The lack of real bowling depth among the batsmen was evident in Perth as Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds were called upon to combine for ten overs and were plundered for 95 runs in a Pakistani total of 307 for eight. Nevertheless, King insisted that such a score was nothing to panic about.  “I certainly think that 300 is a normal score these days,” the Queensland-born Australian insisted. 

“This side is more than capable of scoring 300 and defending it consistently — on any ground.”  While conceding that work needed to be done to ensure that there were quality bowlers available for the middle overs of One-Day Internationals, King said he was encouraged by the fast bowling talent he has seen around the region and is looking forward to returning to the Caribbean to see their progress. “I certainly think there’s a bit of strike power back there,” he observed, referring to the young pacers and not the potential for industrial action by the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA). 

“I want to make sure that they get through and compete at international level. They are quite young — and quite exciting. That will give us something to work with in terms of firepower.”  The latest disappointment in the VB Series is obviously being felt deeply by diehard fans around the region, but King is encouraged by much of what he has seen. “This batting side is as strong as any in the world,” he stated emphatically.  “The tournament’s over for us, but with this group, the future is just beginning.” (CMC)