Since the late 1990s, you’ve witnessed a decline in their cricket. Their Cricket, once a powerhouse of record-breaking sprees and enigmas seems to be functioning on a self-imposed coma. The Lara’s are gone. The Chanderpaul’s, second to none in efficiency and dogged determination are no longer there. But what is, in fact, available to the West Indies is a whole new fleet of talent, in whose hands rests the chance of a recovery.
You don’t need to be tutored on their glory days- a time where merely seeing a Viv Richards or Clive Lloyd in the eye brought about a storming of runs. Where showing the full face of the bat to an Andy Roberts or a Holding signalled an impending danger- lurking somewhere behind the bowling crease. Oh, how the mighty fall. But, now, it seems, the prevailing byline surrounding West Indies Cricket is set for a change.
Surely, even as the West Indies need to walk a thousand mile journey, for the lack of better expression as far as their recovery is concerned (9th in ODI rankings, 8th in Tests), the current feeling in their camp is that the coming 1-2 years might offer something refreshingly new; one to look forward to.
So which are the 5 players in whose hands rests a positive West Indies future
Jason Holder
He might not be the agilest among West Indian cricketers, but captain Holder has led a young, vastly inexperienced side to important victories in recent times.
Surely, a win and West Indies don’t often seem to be phrases used in the same line, but under the Barbadian’s aegis, things have begun to change.
If 2015’s famous 5-wicket triumph over England at Barbados was an indication of the things to come, then under Holder’s watch, West Indies began what might be called a sparkling new turn of events, hitherto rarely seen in their dismal Test record: winning games on foreign tours.
Last year’s triumph over Pakistan in the UAE saw Holder contribute calmly with the ball in hand, even as it was Brathwaite’s patient but fighting hundred that contributed to an impressive 5-wicket victory at Abu Dhabi.
Having recently drawn a memorable Test at Jamaica where Holder led his troops to battle out Kohli’s India, his side’s impressive win over England at Headingley surely highlights the man’s contribution- not often recognised, only moderately stated in media.
Roston Chase
He doesn’t have the flair of Lara or the grace of Hooper, but what Roston Chase does have, in plenty, is the hunger for batting; and bat for long periods.
In demonstrating true grit, famously in 2016’s drawn Jamaica Test, Chase notched up his maiden Test hundred- a vital, unbeaten 137. The knock essayed what many indicated to be a potential signal that despite being hugely inexperienced vis-à-vis Kohli’s firebrand India- Holder’s boys had batsmen who could bail the team out in wanting conditions.
Isn’t that what one expects from a frontline Test bat?
That said, Chase’ heroics against Pakistan, earlier in Apr-May, 2017 highlighted his potential to bat on indifferent pitches that didn’t seem to assist batsmen particularly.
In holding his head high when his teammates were losing theirs, Roston Chase fought it out against Yasir Shah, Mohd. Amir and co. In accumulating 403 very vital runs for his West Indies, Chase ensured that Pakistan’s 2017 tour of West Indies wouldn’t only be about the swansong of two great careers: Misbah and Younis.
Shai Hope
Another Barbadian whose been vital to West Indies in recent times, Shai Hope’s surname echoes precisely what fans and forlorn fanatics, saddened by West Indies’ decline have desired.
Some might say that the 23-year-old’s recent hundred- a gritty and technically proficient 147 against England truly brought Shai Hope to the world’s stage, but the fact is, the right-hander had demonstrated his mettle a while back.
If you rewind to what seemed yet another lacklustre tour for the West Indies in Zimbabwe (November 2016), where the tri-series saw Holder’s men exit the first, Shai Hope struck a useful, diligent 101 off 120, including 4 boundaries and as many sixes versus the hosts.
Even then, in a thrilling tie that West Indies earned at the back of their wicket-keeping bloke’s effort, what stood out was the crucial 161 run stand between Brathwaite and Hope.
But all that said, if a young batsman can handle Jimmy Anderson’s pace and battle out against Broad’s imposing effect in a Test- then the future does seem bright, does it not? So moral of the story: Don’t be Shai to ‘Hope’.
Kraigg Brathwaite
It had been a while since Kraigg Brathwaite demonstrated the usual rigour and patience at the top order- a place he’s made his own in the past 4 years or so- when he decided to switch back at Headingley.
In contributing magnificently through the first-inning score of 134, only to follow it up with an impressive 95, the young West Indies Test opener held on an end as Hope lit another with a demonstration of some fine batsmanship.
For any side, having a resilient opening batsman matters; particularly, when you speak of holding onto your own in a 5-day contest. In Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies have a patient lad who doesn’t mind grinding it out before collecting runs through effective back-foot punches and graceful square drives.
Together with Chase and Hope, Brathwaite shall look to only consolidate his position in a side that looks all set to welcome back Darren Bravo into the playing 11.
Jermaine Blackwood
To some, Jermaine Blackwood- a young, gritty and, the fearless batsman might seem like a bit of an oddball. Given his unorthodox playing style that seems perhaps a misfit in the Test arena- a template that traditionally warrants stability and a conservative style of play, Blackwood, it must be said has stood out for playing a firebrand kind of cricket.
It’s the kind you’d have associated in the glorious, bygone days of Sir Viv where a minor twitch of muscle put the ball away into the stands.
But those who’ve followed Blackwood closely, would reminisce that neither is he unbending in attacking pacers from the word go, perhaps a bit too daringly for his own good, but the right-hander also doesn’t shy away from using his feet to club spinners.
In what seems like a delightful throwback to their yesteryears, West Indies have in Jermaine Blackwood- a bit of a character who would do well with some mentoring and close guidance. Isn’t that right, Sir Viv?
