Signs of improvement from a belittled West Indies outfit - Opinion
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 might be playing a lowly New Zealand outfit, yet their comprehensive and thumping victory in the first Test is indicative of a ruthless approach associated with the Windies of the 1980s.
First to score 522 in response to an impressive 351 posted by their opponents on a placid wicket was a commendable effort. The command that the West Indies exerted with the bat was signified in Chris Gayle’s ruthless approach and contributions from Kieran
Powell, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJG-Sammy-c1382. Powell registered his first hundred in ten games for his country and his efforts were instrumental in ensuring that the Kiwis would not have a sniff of victory. Then came the fire power of Kemar Roach,
where his reputation of being the best West Indies fast bowler has never really waned away. Roach’s ferocious spell where he castled five Kiwi batsmen left the Windies with a petty task of sweeping 102 runs for victory. They did it with nine wickets to spare.
The bowling aspect was as significant as the batting aspect of the West Indian game play. New Zealand simply had no answer to the turn and zip of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129 played some amazing
shots to ensure that the Test match could be saved, if not won by the Kiwis by staging a partnership of 123 runs but were left bamboozled after a counterpunch from the hosts. Such counterpunches were not characteristic of this Windies side which in recent
times had capitulated under pressure. The seamers complemented by the guile and zip of Sunil Narine, tore through the batting line up to leave the visitors all out for 272. The manner in which the West Indies managed to bring the game back from a disastrous
situation made this victory one of the finest wins in their recent history.
Contributions from each and every member of the team had a huge role to play. The West Indies were not only playing professionally but had a plan in mind with regard to dealing with every situation on merit. Despite the fact that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 is one of the
worst outfits in Test Cricket, beating them has always been a hassle for the islanders. Yet with spinner Sunil Narine, Chris Gayle, Narsingh Deonarine and Kieron Powell all coming good, it seems as if the West Indies have definitely achieved something truly
special, as a win in Test matches is similar to a needle in a haystack.
Their history has also centered on a few key players performing well. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221’s
powerful hitting that the team was so heavily reliant on. In this Test match and in Test matches preceding this win, the West Indies have combined team work with precision with all of the major players contributing. This again is a massive sign of improvement.
Their recent record at home has also been impressive and a hard fought series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 means that this side has plenty of potential. Whether or not this potential translates into success
would be Darren Sammy’s biggest challenge.
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