West Indies Show Some Spirit

The Test series between the West Indies and England, which is likely to be won two nil by the latter, has been a surprisingly interesting encounter. England will win, and the scoreline suggests that they will win relatively comfortably. However, the West Indies appear to be turning the corner.

Marlon Samuels has played to his potential for the first time in his Test career. In his past four innings in this series, he has posted scores of 86, 117, 76 not out and 76. He is 31, so it isn’t a moment too soon, however if he can build on this form he will remain a key figure in the West Indies side for the next five years.

Darren Sammy really has to be commended. No one could have predicted the success that he has had as West Indian captain. The team appears to be playing with spirit and is united under Sammy. Meanwhile, Sammy’s personal performance has been above expectation. With the bat, Sammy has played some exhilarating innings of late, while he is a consistent wicket taker with the ball. Shivnarine Chanderpaul is highly underrated in world cricket. He is a gem. A dogged, determined fighter who has held together the West Indian middle order for in excess of 15 years. He is not looking like slowing down either.

However, perhaps the most remarkable performance came yesterday from Tino Best. Batting at number 11, Best lashed the English attack, rattling off 14 fours and a six on his way to 95. A stunning performance, that surely ranks with the most unexpected in the Test cricket history. Best is one of the much maligned West Indian speedsters who tried to fill the shoes of Ambrose, Walsh and company. Since his debut in 2003, he has played 14 Tests, taking 28 wickets at 48. He last played in 2009. Now, back in the action, he has recorded the highest innings by a number 11 in Test cricket and taken some key wickets for good measure.

The West Indies have not had  many successes in recent months, however good performances against Australia, India and now England suggest that the wheel is finally turning. They may not return to the halcyon days just yet, however they have seen off their darkest hour.

Australia Takes Series Two Nil

Third Test: Australia v West Indies

Windsor Park, Dominica

Australia 328 and 259

defeated

West Indies

228 and 294

Despite some late order hitting by West Indian captain Darren Sammy, Australia has defeated the West Indies by 65 runs, winning the series 2 Tests to nil.

The unlikely bowling hero in the final Test was Michael Clarke, who claimed his second 5 wicket haul in Tests. On a turning surface, Nathan Lyon was the other chief wicket taker, with 3 victims to go with his 4 in the first innings.

With Shivnarine Chanderpaul dismissed just prior to stumps on the penultimate day, the West Indian cause appeared defeated. However, the ever-underestimated Darren Sammy had other ideas. Sammy smashed 3 sixes and 4 fours, in 51 ball innings of 61. Despite his heroics, he couldn’t get his team over the line, in what would have been a remarkable victory.

The Australians bowled with discipline, and with the victory have leapfrogged India in the Test rankings. The West Indian team will be heartened by continued good performances, however they will be keen to start turning honourable losses into victories.

Chanderpaul claimed the man of the series award with a stunning batting performance for the series, in which he averaged 86; head and shoulders above any batsman from either side. Kemar Roach and Shane Shillingford both claimed 10 wickets in a match, with Roach taking the bowling honours with 19 wickets for the series.

The Australians had no standout performer with either bat or ball. Ben Hilfenhaus had another excellent series, while Ryan Harris excelled in the matches he participated in. The series was won with consistently good performances – when a wicket was required, someone chipped in. When a partnership was needed, the two batsmen at the wicket grafted tough runs. This is a good sign for an emerging team.

 

 

Third Test: Australia v West Indies

Day Three

Windsor Park, Dominica

Australia 328 and 6 for 200 (Ponting 57, Cowan 55; Deonarine 2 for 28)

West Indies 218 (Chanderpaul 68, Powell 40; Lyon 4 for 69)

The West Indies are facing a substantial fourth innings chase to level the best of three series, despite showing some fight on the third day at Windsor Park.

In contrast with many of his team mates, Shivnarine Chanderpaul playing a typically determined innings in taking the West Indian total past 200. Ravi Rampual again reinforced the trend of strong tailend batting in this Test with a dogged 31. Nathan Lyon ended the innings with a four wicket haul, including the crucial wickets of Powell and Barath, which turned the match in Australia’s favour.

Ed Cowan strode to the wicket in what would be his final Test innings before a 6 month break. Cowan, who had not passed 34 in his previous 7 innings, had not looked out of his depth in Test match cricket. However he had failed to press on with promising starts. Today he anchored the innings as Warner and Watson fell in quick succession. Cowan batted serenly in collaboration with Ricky Ponting, who would have been thankful for an extended stay at the wicket. Cowan launched a cut shot to Deonarine, only to edge the ball to Sammy at slip, who held onto a lightning quick chance. This will have frustrated Cowan to no end. On the other hand, Sammy’s allround versatility as a cricketer is coming to the fore, after few gave him a chance of succeeding as West Indian captain.

Ponting played an assured innings, and for once in the series had an ounce of fortune, surviving a run out and a dropped catch. His nemesis Kemar Roach claimed his wicket with a lifting delivery, and thus ended Ponting’s batting career in the West Indies. Ponting was out to a ‘periscope’ shot as he ducked a bouncer, leaving his bat in the path of the ball and spooning a catch. Another bizarre dismissal for Australia’s former skipper, who appears to be batting quite well, though is just finding ways of getting himself out.

With Australia holding a lead in excess of 300, with 4 wickets in hand and two full days to play, only two results seem possible. A win would cap an excellent 6 months of Test cricket for Australia, while the West Indies will be feeling as though some good cricket in recent times has been somewhat unfulfilled. Then again, being ‘good’ isn’t necessarily good enough in Test match terms.