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.

Third Test: Australia v West Indies – Day 2

Australia v West Indies

Third Test: Windsor Park, Dominica

Day 2

Australia 328 (Wade 106, Warner 50, Watson 41, Starc 35; Shillingford 6 for 119).

West Indies 8 for 165 (Powell 40, Barath 29; Lyon 3 for 49)

Australia took a stranglehold on the third Test, with a dominant display at Windsor Park. Resuming at the precarious position of 7 for 212, Australia would have been hoping for a score over 250. However Matthew Wade, in just his third outing in the baggy green, forged an excellent century with great support from Starc and Hilfenhaus, which forced the Australian score past 300.

Captain Michael Clarke had only just publicly reinforced his support for regular Test keeper Brad Haddin, who returned to Australia at the start of the tour for family reasons. Perhaps this spurred Wade, who had yet to demonstrate his potential with the bat in the Test arena. The innings ensures the Australian selectors will have to make a tough decision when the Test team resumes later this year, however the innings also took control of the match away from the West Indies, who had edged ahead at the close of day one.

Shane Shillingford continued to pose the greatest danger on a turning wicket, claiming his best figures in Test matches and perhaps exposing the weakness of Australian batsmen against quality spin bowling.

The West Indies batsmen, as is so often the case in recent times, lost wickets at crucial stages and failed to build partnerships. From a position of relative comfort at 1 for 62, the innings imploded to 8 for 120 as Nathan Lyon and the Australian quicks ran through the West Indian middle order. Some late resistance from Ravi Rampaul and the ever reliable Shivnarine Chanderpaul saved the innings from absolute capitulation.

Lyon is to be commended; after struggling to take wickets throughout the Australian summer and the first Test in the Carribean, he has responded with game turning performances in the past two matches.

The West Indies must push the score past 200 in the early stages of day three, then bowl the Australians out cheaply to have any chance of levelling the series.