West Indies surprise us, West Indies make us hopeful again

Two teams in world cricket can fool you. One is Pakistan while the other is West Indies. Whenever they showed determination and a bit of patience, they stunned the world with their charisma. Once upon a time, the world cricket used to get crazy about Pakistan and West Indies because of their different style which none could emulate. Unpredictability, stylish aggression and a bit of flavour of Hollywood’s thriller movies, made these two teams the choice of the 80s and 90s.

Sadly both the teams lost that kind of mojo of the past but the ability to stun the world still exists among them and which gives their fans the hope of a better future. Especially, West Indies cricket have gone down in a pathetic fashion since 1995 and it seems, they would never be able to rekindle their lost glory. But at times, the unleash their charisma and force us to dream again.

West Indies’ performance at Edgbaston was abject and nightmarish. A historic Day-Night Test match was met a humiliating conclusion as West Indies crumbled to one of the shambolic defeats . By losing 19 wickets for 261 runs in the space of 76.4 overs, they were shot out twice in the day for scores of 168 and 137, the margin of their innings defeat – 209.

I was annoyed. The critics and fans were furious and wanted to hang on the tag “Waste Indies”. But to the astonishment of us all, the Caribbean scripted an impossible, yes, simply impossible win at Headingley where records crumbled, England of this era tasted the ability of once mighty West Indies.

Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite led the way with their bat but in my opinion, it was Shannon Gabriel’s high quality pace bowling which put England on the back foot. Then, there was Devendra Bishoo, whose guile gave West Indies attack the much needed boost to dominate over the hosts who literally battered them one week back.

Brathwaite has the resolve which West Indies badly needs at the top while Shai Hope impressed me with his authority over back foot stroke-play and typical Caribbean style of play. Then there is Jermaine Blackwood, an explosive customer who can be an entertainer like the heroes of the past. But at times, he is very suicidal which is is needed to cut short for his own good. Obviously, Roston Chase assures a lot of stability in the batting order and this team might look even better if Darren Bravo is called back.

 But, Gabriel impressed me. This is the sort of aggression West Indies need in their bowling. This is what West Indies need to bounce back in their old form. It is the pacers, I repeat, who gave West Indies the best days in world cricket and they need to invest faith in them. Of course, I hope, these victories make WICB a bit more sensible.    

Thank You

Faisal Caesar