Seems not skill, but rain, is the West Indies greatest saviour

Dear Editor,
THE young Sri Lanka cricket test team humiliated the experienced Roger Harper/ Phil Simmonds West Indies test team by 187 runs in the first test match in Galle. Sad to know that more than a full day’s play was not needed to send the West Indies team packing.

The West Indies batting collapsed and failed in both innings. While the best test batsman in the Caribbean, Shimron Hetmyer, is at home suffering from insularity and victimisation, it is difficult for the millions of cricket fans around the world to accept this weak and insular cricket team to represent the West Indies. Imagine the pains and frustration that we had to endure as the West Indies were reeling with their score at 18 runs for six wickets. Instead of hoping for our batsmen to score runs, we were praying for rain to wash out the game.

As for the performance of the Sri Lanka team, their skipper led from the front. He hammered a magnificent century in the first innings and scored a masterful half-century in the second. He was just playing with authority.

The Sri Lankan bowling, even though lacking in experience, was too good for the mediocre West Indies’ batsmen. The young spinners bowled an immaculate line and length as they destroyed the West indies in both innings.

The second test match will be very interesting. The home team are favourites and the visitors will have to hope for the weather to save them from a clean sweep. The West Indies team for the second test match will have to be more focused and concentrate on their batting. Kraigg Brathwaite will have to play a long innings and the other unreliable lucky ‘picks’ should try and justify their trip to Sri Lanka. While the bowling attack is undoubtedly the weakest in many years, it will have to improve tremendously if they are to curtail the strong home team’s batting line-up. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne is in tremendous form with the bat and the young Pathum Nissanka seems to be thirsty for runs.

Rahkeem Cornwall is not fit to be selected in any team. He is a liability in the field and when batting he struggles to run between the wickets. Jomel Warrican will get wickets only when the opposition is looking for quick runs and while Roston Chase is a steady bowler, he is seen on the trip as a batsman. It will be interesting to see if the necessary changes will be made.

Veerasammy Permaul is a mature player and it is indeed foolish to take him on a tour. Kemar Roach is an experienced bowler and he should be in the playing 11. Jayden Seales is a quick bowler and he could be effective with his pace.

The entire Caribbean will be looking at the second test match and let us hope that we could really rally behind our test team. Not a single batsman in the team is competent and reliable to make a big score. Hence, our fans will have to hope for the best. The big question is, who will make a test century on the trip? Can the West Indies win their first test match in Sri Lanka?

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