West Indies and Sri Lanka: 2 sides of the same coin
West Indies and Sri Lanka: 2 sides of the same coin
“Two different teams, one similar problem, two different results.” Yes, this is the backdrop behind the following article which you will read. West Indies and Sri Lanka are both currently in action. While the former is hosting India in four-Test series at home, the latter is playing at their own den against Australia. Both West Indies and Lankans are going through a ‘tough phase’, especially in Tests. And safe to say, the primary and biggest reason behind their downfall has been the absence/retirement of key/experienced personnel’s. Yet, one team is definitely struggling to cope with it, while the other is showing incredible fight, and have shown signs of rebuilding. By now, you might have rightly guessed it’s the West Indies who are struggling, while Sri Lanka are heading in the right direction. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs West Indies, 1st Test match
Both the teams have played a respective match in their current series. West Indies were routed by the World No. 2 ranked Indian side by an innings and 92 runs. Despite being at home, the West Indies failed to find the ‘chink in the armor’ of their opposition. On the other end, Sri Lanka managed to beat the World No. 1 ranked Australia, and that too by an impressive margin (106 runs). The Lankans used the home conditions to their advantage and found great success. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test match
So how is it that the two teams have similar problems, yet are heading towards two very different directions? Well, the answer lies in the mentality and approach of the players!
The West Indies team, barring Marlon Samuels, have very little experience on the international stage. Currently, they are facing an Indian side, who undoubtedly are strong. In most cases, the young players are determined to show their quality and give their best while getting a chance, but in this case, it has been far from it. ALSO READ: Kusal Mendis may have just guided Sri Lanka into their new era
The contest was going to be tough, and that is what is should be like. But the team’s showing in the first Test was beyond ordinary. Playing at home, they did not use the conditions well, and played a substandard team. They went in with three pacers, one spinner combination on a pace-friendly track. Out of the three seamers, Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite were all-rounders, and are medium-pace at most. Against the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, West Indies went in with just one true frontline pacer, who happened to be Shannon Gabriel. BIG BLUNDER! ALSO READ: ‘Inexperienced’ West Indies lack hunger to succeed in Tests
The batting unit comprised Darren Bravo and Samuels, who have more than fair share of experience on their side. But what simply followed was a shambolic display. Batsmen lacked the technique, played lose shots and got out cheaply. As for the bowlers, not one showed fight, or used the conditions to it’s potential. The team, it seemed, went onto the pitch, without a clue of what to do! Not one player showed responsibility.
On the other side, Sri Lanka went into their game against Australia knowing they are hardly the favorites. Their batting in the first innings of the match showed little promise. A young batting unit was overwhelmed and bundled over by the Australian bowling for 117. But what followed showed enough signs of maturity in the side.
The Lankans used the home conditions to it’s maximum, and bowled out the Aussies for a low score. The spin duo of Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan did the major damage. Surprise, Surprise!
Then stepped a young boy named Kusal Mendis, and scored 176 against a bowling unit comprising of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. Now that’s is what you call taking charge/responsibility.
And a fifer from Herath in the second innings completed a historic win for home side. The Sri Lankan team knew Australia have always been susceptible against spin, and did exactly what was needed.
The point which can be raised here is, if Sri Lanka could do it against the No. 1 team in the world, why couldn’t West Indies do it? Surely the West Indies attack faced Dhawan, Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, who are all great players. But so did Sri Lanka, who battled David Warner, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.
The Lankans used home conditions to maximum, and found vulnerabilities in their opponents, which West Indies failed to find. Sri Lankan players showed fight and responsibility, which the West Indies players failed at.
Even if the current series is overlooked, displays in the recent times suggest a similar story. Sri Lanka came into this series on the back of a 2-0 series loss against England. The result wasn’t great, but the signs were already there. A young side led by Angelo Mathews may not have won any match in the tour, but showed grit and fire.
West Indies’ last Test assignment was a tour to Australia in late 2015-2016. The side which played there was quite similar to the current one. And the performance, well, was equally poor. They were beaten comprehensively in that series, and not one player stood up to the task.
The similarity between the two nations can be referred from their two overseas tour. And well, it was quite evident with their displays about which team is going in which direction.
Safe to say, there isn’t much difference between the two nations, in terms of talent available. But what differentiates them is the mindset of the players, which has clearly propelled Sri Lanka forward, and brought down West Indies to a new low.
(R Narayan is reporter with CricketCountry, and is an ardent cricket and football enthusiast (big Manchester United fan). Having followed cricket since 2003, he likes high scoring matches as well as good fast bowling. His Twitter handle is @RNarayan24nov)