Published: Jul 18, 2023, 03:15 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 18, 2023, 03:15 PM (IST)
As the iconic Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, awaits the Indians, the second Test from July 20 will be another examination of the West Indies’ skill, resolve and commitment to cricket in general and Test cricket in particular.
With the inglorious demise at Dominica when the hosts had no inclination about how to deal with Ravichandran Ashwin’s off-spin, the inclusion in their squad of a bowler of same trade at least shows that someone somewhere is trying to think about how to deal with India on their terms.
It may not be enough to promise a sensational comeback in the series, but at least a fight would not just be good to see, it would keep some faith in Caribbean cricket alive.
The West Indies were hammered by an inning and 141 runs in the first Test, with Ashwin claiming 12 wickets, a bowler the home batters had no answers to. One wonders if Kevin Sinclair, who has been in included in the squad for the 2nd Test, will make a serious difference, but al least someone is trying to put up some sort of resistance.
It is not easy for the West Indies team or cricket board right now. There has been derision about their performance, calls for a re-look at the structure of Test cricket and overall indifference at home about Test cricket.
There were suggestions on social media that there was enough time left to finish another Test at Dominica and “end the misery” for the West Indies team, instead of waiting for Port of Spain. It has been quite brutal.
The West Indies have few answers and no one is really expecting too many. But one still would like to see a little more commitment and a body language that shows that someone is ready to take the fight to the Indian camp, irrespective of the results.
The exit for the ICC World Cup qualifiers and now this situation against India does not read well for the future for them, but all cricket fans sincerely want to see the West Indies stand up and fight again, and show some of the swagger of the old immortals. That in itself could keep the game going for a while.
