In a tensed encounter
at Barbados West Indies scripted a victory to level the series and the bowlers
deserve a lot of credit…..
When
the “Universal Boss” Chris Gayle smashed a hundred at Bridgetown Barbados in
first ODI, the cricketing world went crazy. Gayle is one of the most favourite
cricketers among the young generation like AB de Villiers. So, a
Gayle-in-full-flow in West Indies colours would trigger a festive mood among
the neutrals. West Indies posted 360 for 8 in 50 overs, but Joe Root and Jason
Roy’s eye-catching stroke-play overshadowed Gayle’s ton. England took the lead
after completing highest successful One-day International (ODI) chase to win
the series opener against West Indies in Barbados.
No matter how big a total you post, if the bowlers don’t
deliver, even something around 400 won’t be safe in this era of heavy bats and
power-hitting. In the end, the first ODI turned into a damp squib and England
showed everyone why they are the ultimate hot favourites in the upcoming ICC
World Cup. Sadly, the much-celebrated and swashbuckling ton of Gayle would be
regarded as a hundred for a losing cause. In the history of cricket, so many
wonderful tons have been forgotten because they failed to produce a result.
Someone like Tamim Iqbal would realise the pain of Gayle.
But Shimron Hetmyer did not have to go the Gayle way. With
his daring-attitude and ability to essay murderous strokes, Hetmyer is already
regarded as one of the stars of future. His aggressive batting was evident in
first ODI as well. But a 15-ball 20 only just helped to swell the total and
entertain. What West Indies wished more from Hetmyer is a prolonged stay at the
crease, and it was fulfilled in second ODI on the same ground.
Gayle set the tempo, but West Indies middle-order struggled
to convert the starts as soon as Gayle was dismissed. The situation demanded
deft stroke-play and patience to stay at the crease. With Hetmyer around the
corner, one could not be much optimistic. But Hetmyer showed he can bat
according to the demand of situation and he had to step up as West Indies
excluded a batsman – Nicolas Pooran – to strengthen their bowling attack by
including Sheldon Cottrell -
At first, Hetmyer played with composure – his 76-run stand
with Darren Bravo for the fourth wicket was nothing but salvaging deeds. And
when Bravo, Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite fell quickly, he switched to
fifth gear and unleashed the attacking instincts. To challenge England a
team at least needs something around 300 runs and with 237 for 6 and five overs
to; a batsman needs to accelerate as much as possible. Hetmyer went all guns
blazing – flashy strokes showed up and he did not bother to bring up his ton
via a boundary while batting on 98 with just two balls remaining in West
Indies innings.
It was a very well-organised innings, which could have faced
the fate of Gayle’s ton had West Indies bowlers not clawed back into the match.
Cottrell sent Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow packing with a
crisp Military salute, a reference to his time as a private in Jamaican Defence
Force. Oshane Thomas cut short the stay of Joe Root, but this England side
would not bother much losing such big guns as their depth in batting is too
good.
England were cruising when Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes were
at the crease. To score 62 off 61 balls was never going to be a tough task for
this English batting lineup until and unless someone steps up to set jitters in
batting lineup. Who else but West Indian captain Holder stepped up. He
dismissed Stokes, flummoxed Jos Buttler with a slower ball and then trapped Tom
Curran lbw first ball. 3 wickets fell for 5 runs and from nowhere West Indies
came back into the game.
Cottrell in his second spell removed Morgan, Moeen Ali and
Adil Rashid – England lost their way. Cottrell bagged a 5-wicket haul while
West Indies held their nerves to script a series-levelling win.
The inclusion of an extra bowler reaped a rich harvest for
West Indies and in any form of the game, the value of bowlers is worth as a
gold. The Caribbean could not defend 360 but hung on to a cliffhanger in the
second encounter only because of some superb bowling display. Again, Hetmyer’s
ton would be regarded as a match-winning one as because West Indies bowling was
too good.
Note: This article has been published at Cricketsoccer on 23/02/2019 The bowlers shine, West Indies win
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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