West Indies suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of Australia at Kensington Oval Bridgetown Barbados. After going toe-to-toe with the Aussies for the first two days, the hosts suffered a complete meltdown losing the plot with the ball and then losing all 10 wickets in a session with the bat to lose the Test inside 3 days. There were multiple factors that contributed to it. Here, we will list three of them.
Kraigg Brathwaite’s dismal run of form and scores.Â
Kraigg Brathwaite is one of the key players for West Indies. He has been the mainstay at the top of the order for quite a long time and has led with the bat. He was captain of the side in the last cycle and more often than not led from the front. But lately, his form has nosedived and had a Test match to forget in Barbados.
Kraigg Brathwaite had twin failures in Barbados and had single-digit scores in both innings. He could only muster 4 off 15 balls in the first innings and 4 off 6 balls in the second innings. He had identical scores in the match. With a player of his calibre, more is expected and for the West Indies to do well, he has to return to form in the next Test match. Being an opener, him getting runs can set the tone for the hosts.
He did not have a good series against Pakistan in Pakistan where West Indies drew the series 1-1. So, it has been quite a while since he has been in form and he will look to rediscover it. As a senior batter, it is imperative that he stands up and gets noticed.
Inexperienced batting line-up hurting West Indies.Â
West Indies batting is largely inexperienced and when put under pressure they wilted and collapsed in no time. With experienced campaigner, Kraigg Brathwaite not firing, the task became even tougher for them against Australia’s pace bowling trio. The likes of John Campbell, Keacy Carty and Brandon King are relatively new to Test cricket. Brandon King made his debut in the Barbados Test but making him bat at 4 was too much of a task. Captain Roston Chase is coming back in the side after two years and being thrusted the captain’s hat is not easy. Justin Greaves had a decent knock with bat.
Shai Hope is a top-order batter and him getting the Number 6 spot is underutilizing him. He is a proper batter and can easily bat up the order but because he keeps wicket means that the West Indies wants to use him at Number 6. Roston Chase is a proper batter and needs to do better.
Their inexperience was clearly shown on display when they lost all their 10 wickets in the elongated final session against Australia. That was baffling and embarrassing to say the least losing all 10 wickets and being bowled out in a session. West Indies with a lot to think about now.
Ineffective bowling and catching against Australia’s middle and lower middle-order costs West Indies dear.Â
West Indies were very good with the ball in the first Test against Australia. Shamar Joseph picked up 9 wickets in the match while Jayden Seales had a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Alzarri Joseph bowled decently as well. Justin Greaves was decent but when the game was on the line on Day 3, they let the game drift and runs flow as well which did not help their cause. Dropping multiple catches hurt the West Indies as well. Brandon King dropped as many as three catches.
With the game on the line, Travis Head was dropped early on Day 3 and he made the West Indies pay by scoring 61 off 95 balls and building a 102-run stand with Beau Webster. Head scored 50s in each innings and was aggressive in play to be awarded Player of the Match. Webster looked good for his 63 off 120 balls. But it was Alex Carey the keeper batter who played the match-defining innings.
Carey came straight off the blocks and started to take on the bowling. He initially added 41 runs with Beau Webster scoring 21 out of the partnership. Carey scored 29 runs off 12 balls in the 39-run stand off 26 balls with Pat Cummins. Mitchell Starc did bulk of the scoring as Carey only scored 1 run off the 17-run stand with the southpaw. With Nathan Lyon, he added 14 off 34 balls in the 27-run stand off 53 balls. His innings and batting with the tail took the wind out of the sails for the West Indies.
West Indies could have bowled better in that phase. The pacers bowled decently, but the spinners lacked bite. Roston Chase the captain bowled more overs than regular spinner Jomel Warrican. Warrican could have been utilized more one felt. Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales worked well as a pair in first innings, but Seales tapered off in the second innings. Alzarri Joseph was good in patches but not consistent enough while Justin Greaves was decent. All in all, one felt that West Indies were lacking a spinner and fast bowler as well. They have issues and confidence issue to address ahead of the next Test match.
What Lies Ahead for West Indies.Â
West Indies will next face Australia in Grenada from July 3rd i.e. Thursday onwards. They will look to improve on the aspects they need to and try and provide a sterner test to the Aussies. They pushed the Aussies for the first two days before Australia ran them over easily. So, a lot of work to do for West Indies going forward.
Can they fightback and make the series interesting? Or will Australia go on and dominate from this position? Only time will tell as the second Test starts soon.
Also Read: WI vs AUS: Josh Hazlewood’s Five Wicket Haul Leads West Indies Riot In 1st Test Match