CRICKET West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, wants West Indian batsmen to put in the hard yards in the off-season in addressing weak areas of their game in order to be consistent at the international level.
Adams, who on Tuesday evening was speaking on Barbadian radio programme, Mason and Guests, lamented the batting performance in the two Tests against South Africa where the Caribbean side’s highest total was 165.
Jermaine Blackwood’s total aggregate of 88 runs after four innings was the leading run-scorer for the home side in the two Tests.
Roston Chase, who just had three innings due to injury, had the best average of 24.66 and a top score of 62. One other half-century was scored by opener Kieran Powell.
On Monday, head coach Phil Simmons said he expects there will be intra-squad matches within the regional franchise then ‘Best v Best’ matches ahead of the two-Test series against Pakistan which starts August 12 in Jamaica.

Adams contended that top players need to do remedial work soon, as they feel there is a “chink in the amour” and it is whether the West Indies Elite players have that mindset to improve.
The former West Indies captain expressed that in the modern era it is faster to be knowledgeable of one’s weak areas and felt the region’s batsmen should adopt an approach that says “I am taking ownership of such (weak areas), (and) as soon I get spare time, I am attacking myself on my weakness”.
He added, “The opposition is going to be ruthless on us and maybe sometimes we need to be that much more ruthless to ourselves in preparation for that.”
The Jamaican who featured in 54 Tests said he was more disappointed in the manner West Indies lost in St Lucia, more than the 0-2 series result.
“I feel disappointment … it is not so much the loss, but what would have been disappointing for me is really not seeing the batting unit fight, and fall below 200 in four consecutive innings, I think it was not what we would like to see. So, hopefully, we can get something of a bounce back when we resume Test cricket against Pakistan”, he expressed.
Asked to assess why there is dire inconsistency with the batting and the clear discomfort against the bodyline tactics by the South African seamers, Adams said it is a combination of issues from pitches and exposure.

“I look at the conditions and the quality of the fast-bowling from South Africa, and I look at our regional cricket in terms of pitches, in terms of regional attacks, and I am not making any excuses for cricketers. I do think there is an urgent need to start ensuring we have consistent hard-through wickets and just start asking franchises to deliver.”
Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite is on the opposing end to the view that his fellow batsmen are struggling against the short-ball.
The director of cricket felt it is imperative that exposure begins from the youth level in order to enhance the ability to combat such at the senior level.
“South Africa would have come as favourites, and with that said, home advantage does count for something. When you have to dig in – backs against the wall – is easier to do at home because usually, you have that inspiration … losing in that manner; I know guys are trying but definitely like to see more fight from the batting unit.”
The former batsman called on West Indies to feel confident against aggressive bowling since it is probable Pakistan will come with similar tactics given success of South Africa.