West Indies suffered an embarrassing 176-run defeat against Australia in the third and final Test match, which was also the Pink Ball Test match. The Test match was done and dusted in 2.5 days. While West Indies bowling showed its might, the batting floundered big time, getting bundled out for 27 and registering their lowest score in Test history and the second lowest overall. There are many reasons for their downfall, and we will list three main reasons for their loss.
Batting Unit Failing As a Whole
The main reason for their loss is due to their batting performances and it has been really bad for them. Yes, the conditions have been challenging as the Aussies also struggled, but the West Indies were even worse, especially in this Pink Ball Test match. In the first innings, they got starts, but no one went through with it. They got themselves to 82/3 at one stage but then collapsed to 143 to hand a significant 82-run lead to Australia.
In the second innings, they fell to a new low as they registered their lowest score in Test cricket and the second lowest overall. They fell like a pack of cards and were dismissed for 27 in 14.3 overs. Credit to the Aussie bowlers for exploiting their weaknesses, but we expected better application from the hosts. At least their bowlers did after they put in their efforts and put their team in a good position at times. But the batting failed.
Going forward, these issues need to be seriously addressed if the West Indies are to improve in Test cricket and in this cycle of championships. Continued batting collapses will continue to take them down the wrong path.
Inconsistency in Team Selection Hampers West Indies
Another thing that has perplexed many is the team selection of the West Indies team. They have made a lot of changes, and such things happen when one is losing a lot of games. While the bowling stood its might, the batting let everyone down, and a change of personnel just added to the woes.
It was a surprise to see Kraigg Brathwaite, who played in the previous game and completed 100 Test matches to be dropped suddenly. Agreed, he was not in form, but his experience would have been handy in Pink Ball conditions. Keacy Carty was also dropped and so was Anderson Phillip. Suddenly, Kevlon Anderson made his debut. Exposing Mikyle Louis and Kevlon Anderson suddenly in the Pink Ball match to hostile Australian bowlers wasn’t the greatest of ideas.
West Indies are always in transition mode, but they must select the right players and not make arbitrary decisions. Against teams like Australia, experience counts. Phillip and Warrican have rotated themselves and played these three games, but to no avail. They have serious issues to address.
The failure of Roston Chase as captain & player
All eyes were on Roston Chase as he was making a comeback into the Test team after two years. He not only made it as a player but also as a captain. But he has failed to impress anyone in this series either with the bat nor with the ball. Chase has hardly bowled himself in unhelpful conditions and never looked like leading from the front.
With bat in hand, he decided to come in at 3 in the first innings to show some responsibility. He got a start and played himself in for 71 balls for 18 runs, but could not convert it into a big score. Australia bowled well at him but he had no plans to counterattack it.
As a leader, he was lacklustre and lacked ideas at times. His fast bowling did the job and he had hardly any role in that, but his and Warrican’s bowling as spinners was less and underwhelming while he failed to inspire others to do the job. It’s his first series as captain and one hopes he learns and gets better at the job. So far, it has been an underwhelming start for him.
What Lies Ahead
Both teams will now have a change of personnel as we have a change of format to the shortest format of the game. Both teams will clash in 5 T20Is starting on the 21st of July in Jamaica. West Indies will be led by Shai Hope, while Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh.
It’s going to be a good series and an opportunity for the West Indies to showcase their mettle against the Australians. Can they do well? Only time will tell as the series beckons for all of us.
Also Read: WI vs AUS: Shamar Joseph’s 4-Wicket Derails Australia & Restricts Them To 225