Resurgence in the Shadows: West Indies' Test Victory in Sharjah

The air in Sharjah bore witness to a rare West Indian triumph in Test cricket—one not merely born of resistance but of resilience, composure, and a quiet defiance against the odds. Shane Dowrich and Kraigg Brathwaite embodied the virtues of the old guard: measured, unflappable, and resolute. They denied Pakistan’s bowling juggernaut the dramatic flourish it so often conjures, securing a hard-fought victory on the final day of the third Test.

For a team battered in the ODI series with a 0-3 whitewash, Jason Holder’s squad scripted a narrative that no one anticipated—a story of revival against all odds. The young guns of the Caribbean silenced critics and sceptics alike, reminding the cricketing world that the spirit of West Indies cricket, though dormant, still breathes.

The Echoes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

This series will not only be remembered for the win in Sharjah but for the spirit displayed throughout. In Dubai, during the first-ever day-night Test in Asia, Darren Bravo’s stoic century nearly upset the hosts. His vigil stood as a testament to grit, though it fell short of the finishing line. In Abu Dhabi, the West Indies batsmen batted more than 100 overs in the fourth innings to stave off defeat. This capacity to stretch matches into the fifth day against a quality attack in alien conditions was a revelation, showing a team slowly finding its backbone.

In the spin-friendly pitches of the Middle East, where Yasir Shah is a menace to even the best, the West Indian batsmen were defiant. Brathwaite, Dowrich, Holder, and Bravo showed rare patience and skill. Meanwhile, the often-maligned bowling attack struck its own note. Devendra Bishoo, with his leg-spin wizardry, captured 18 wickets, outshining Yasir’s strike rate. Shannon Gabriel’s searing pace provided a reminder of a proud tradition of Caribbean fast bowling.

A False Dawn or the First Rays of Renewal? 

West Indies cricket has long been a tale of fleeting highs and crushing lows. The joyous triumph in the 2016 World T20 kindled hopes of a revival, but only for administrative strife and inconsistency to extinguish them. Sharjah feels different—not because it guarantees a resurgence but because it underscores possibilities. Yet, whether this victory will spark lasting change remains a thorny question.

The Way Forward: Lessons from the Past 

For the West Indies, the key to resurgence lies in revisiting their past without living in it. The late 1970s and 1980s were an era dominated by pace—when the likes of Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner terrorized batsmen and fast, bouncy pitches at home amplified their might. To reignite that fire, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) must prioritize pace-friendly tracks that empower bowlers like Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph.

Such pitches do more than tilt games in favor of the home side—they restore an identity. They evoke memories of packed stands in Antigua and Barbados, where cricket wasn’t just a sport but a celebration of culture and community. The decline in Test cricket’s popularity in the Caribbean isn’t a loss of passion but of purpose. Test cricket needs rebranding—new narratives to remind fans of the format’s drama, its poetry, and its timeless appeal.

Healing Rifts, Building Bridges 

No resurgence is possible without harmony. The public disputes between the WICB and its players have long tarnished West Indies cricket. These divisions have robbed the team of its best talents and left scars on its reputation. Unity, transparency, and trust are non-negotiable if the West Indies are to reclaim their position as a powerhouse in world cricket.

A Stronger West Indies: A Need for World Cricket 

The world of cricket thrives on competition. A strong West Indies isn’t merely a nostalgic dream but a necessity for the game’s global health. Their victory in Sharjah was a glimpse of what can be—a world where Caribbean swagger meets modern resilience. But glimpses need foundations to grow into reality.

Sharjah, then, must not become another chapter in a history of false dawns. Instead, let it be the prologue to a resurgence that does justice to the legacy of West Indies cricket and the dreams of those who still believe in its magic.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The Rise, Fall, and Glimmer of Hope: A Caribbean Cricket Saga

In the late 1970s and 1980s, the West Indies reigned supreme in world cricket, carrying an aura so intimidating that matches often seemed decided before a single ball was bowled. Their batsmen demolished bowling attacks with casual brutality, while their bowlers unleashed fire and fear, sending shivers down the spines of opposing batsmen. The team operated like a force of nature—untouchable, unrelenting, and unapologetic. It was not just cricket; it was a statement. These were the “Wonder Windies,” undisputed kings of the cricketing world.  

But the rhythm of Caribbean cricket, like the tides, was destined to change. As the years passed, the brilliance that had once illuminated the cricketing universe began to dim. The West Indies of the 90s and 2000s bore only shadows of their former selves—disconnected from their glorious legacy. Their batsmen lacked the swagger, their bowlers the venom. Whether at home or away, heavy defeats became the new norm. What was once a cricketing dynasty was now a shell, plagued by internal quarrels between players and administrators, particularly the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). The discord spread like rust, eroding the essence of what had once made Caribbean cricket peerless. And so, for two long decades, the sweet sound of Calypso cricket was muffled, fading into a distant echo.

Yet, all cycles have turning points. Just when it seemed the Caribbean spirit had drowned, sparks of revival began to flicker on the horizon. The recent series victory against New Zealand reignited a long-lost optimism among West Indies fans. This was no accidental triumph but a deliberate display of talent, grit, and determination—hints of the brilliance the world had once feared.  

Ray of Hope

At the heart of this resurgence is the return of Chris Gayle, a giant of modern cricket whose reconciliation with the WICB was a crucial step toward healing wounds. Gayle’s presence brought balance, experience, and flair back into the squad. But individual talent alone wasn’t enough—West Indies also needed players who could shoulder responsibilities across all fronts. The renaissance of Marlon Samuels, with his newfound composure and class, provided the much-needed spine. Simultaneously, a fresh crop of young talent—Sunil Narine, Narsingh Deonarine, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Adrian Barath, and Darren Bravo—infused energy and creativity. 

In the pace department, old ghosts were being summoned. Kemar Roach, Tino Best, and their comrades began bowling with renewed hostility, reminiscent of the ferocity once synonymous with Caribbean bowlers. Captain Darren Sammy, though often underrated, played a pivotal role in holding the team together. His understated leadership brought a sense of unity and direction—an anchor amid turbulent seas.

Yet, the key question lingers: Can this generation sustain the brilliance required to restore the West Indies’ lost supremacy? Talent and potential have never been in short supply for the Caribbean side, but the challenge has always been consistency. Even in the golden age of Clive Lloyd and Sir Viv Richards, internal conflicts with the WICB existed, but they never derailed the team’s pursuit of excellence. The secret lay in self-awareness: those teams knew how to harness their potential, using individual strengths to elevate collective performances. 

This generation must confront the same challenge. To transform flashes of brilliance into a steady flame, West Indies players must develop what their predecessors mastered—self-realization. Knowing one's capabilities and employing them with intent is crucial to consistent success. Without this self-awareness, victories like the one against New Zealand risk becoming fleeting memories. The promise of a new dawn could once again fade into the familiar twilight of mediocrity.  

Path Forward

To keep the Calypso music alive, Sammy and his men must transcend their current form and make consistency their defining trait. It is not enough to play with flair; they must master the art of persistence. As history has shown, only when a team fully understands its own strengths and limitations can it overcome challenges.  

The world is waiting for the return of the Caribbean swagger, the fearless cricket that made crowds sway to the rhythm of bat and ball. But the journey from revival to dominance demands more than talent—it requires discipline, unity, and most importantly, realization. For when a team awakens to its true potential, no calamity can halt its progress. Only then can the Calypso music truly begin to play again, loud enough for the world to dance to.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Another Lara in the Making? A Glimpse into Darren Bravo’s Artistry

The recent World Cup encounter between the West Indies and South Africa was, on the surface, another one-sided affair. The West Indies’ paltry total of 222 was far from a challenge for South Africa, the most formidable ODI outfit in contemporary cricket. AB de Villiers, in his usual poetic brilliance, ensured there were no surprises, taking the game away with effortless ease. 

Yet, the match wasn’t without its moments. Amidst the West Indian batting struggles, one name emerged from the wreckage - Darren Bravo. For cricketing purists, disillusioned by the robotic efficiency that defines modern batting, Bravo’s innings offered a delightful reminder of artistry in cricket. It was more than a knock; it was an experience - a fleeting glimpse of a bygone era when batters painted on the field with strokes full of flair and imagination. Bravo, for one afternoon, resurrected the romantic ideals once embodied by the legendary Brian Lara. 

The Brushstrokes of Genius 

Bravo’s innings, which ended at 73, was not just an aggregation of runs but a masterclass in timing and stroke-making. After a nervy start—surviving an early lbw scare—he found his rhythm almost instantly. Facing Dale Steyn, the world’s fiercest pacer, Bravo showed no signs of intimidation. In only the second over, when Steyn strayed down the leg side, Bravo caressed the ball with delicate precision to the boundary. Moments later, a flick behind square leg off the last delivery was an effortless display of wristwork. 

Steyn, one of cricket’s most feared quicks, found himself at the receiving end of lyrical punishment. Bravo drove through the covers with such elegance that the boundary felt more like a sonnet than a strike. It was as though every stroke was an act of artistry, not aggression. 

South African captain Graeme Smith turned to Jacques Kallis, hoping the veteran’s guile would tame the young artist. But Bravo had other ideas. His very first response to Kallis was a disdainful drive over mid-on, dismissing the ball - and perhaps Kallis’s reputation - with the nonchalance of a painter flicking excess paint off his brush. By the third ball, Bravo pierced long-off with another boundary, and one could almost hear echoes of a vintage Lara.

When Kallis dared to test Bravo with a short-pitched delivery in the 12th over, the response was swift and savage: a front-of-square pull that seemed to declare, “Serve rubbish, and this is what you get.” It was not just a stroke; it was a declaration of intent - a moment that hinted at the arrogance and flair that defined Lara at his peak. 

Power and Precision in Perfect Harmony 

Not even Albie Morkel was spared from Bravo’s repertoire. A mistimed slog over mid-on still found the boundary, a testament to Bravo’s raw power. Then came Imran Tahir’s turn, as Bravo swung one over mid-on with such force that even with the bottom hand slipping from the bat, the ball sailed comfortably past the ropes. There was effort, yes, but also an ease—a natural gift for timing that made even mistakes look majestic. 

As the innings progressed, Bravo’s artistry shifted gears. From flamboyant boundaries, he transitioned to accumulating singles and doubles, threading them predominantly through the off-side - his favoured region. The fluency of his placements, and the ability to find gaps with clinical precision, spoke volumes about his cricketing intelligence. It was not just talent; it was craft - an understanding of angles, field settings, and rhythm. 

 The Echo of a Legend 

Comparisons with Brian Lara, while ambitious, are not misplaced. True, Bravo does not boast Lara’s extravagant high backlift, but his mindset - to dismantle high-quality bowling - brings waves of nostalgia. There is an unmistakable resemblance in the way Bravo constructs his innings, marrying aggression with artistry, much like Lara did during his reign as one of cricket’s most captivating batters. 

Bravo’s knock of 73 may not have altered the outcome of the match, but it did something more significant -it rekindled the spirit of romantic cricket, offering hope that the soul of West Indian batting, once epitomized by Lara, might live on. Against the tournament’s most formidable bowling attack, Bravo’s effort was nothing short of exceptional - a feather in his cap and a harbinger of what could be an extraordinary career. 

A New Dawn or a Fleeting Glimpse? 

Darren Bravo’s innings was a tantalizing promise - a glimpse of the artistry that many thought had disappeared from modern cricket. The question now is whether this performance was a mere flash in the pan or the beginning of something greater. Has the cricketing world found in Bravo another Brian Lara? Or was this just a fleeting brushstroke on the vast canvas of cricket? 

While it is too soon to crown him the heir to Lara’s throne, one thing is certain: Bravo has the gift—the flair, the elegance, the audacity—to enthral. If he can nurture these qualities and maintain consistency, cricket fans might well be witnessing the dawn of a new chapter in West Indies cricket, one in which artistry and genius reign once more. 

For now, though, we savour the joy of having witnessed an innings that, even in defeat, gave us a reason to smile. It reminded us that cricket is more than numbers and victories—it is about moments, artistry, and the beauty of watching an artist at work. And in Darren Bravo, the artist's brush seems to be in good hands.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar