The year was 1993. The final exams had just about got over, and it was time for vacations. Alongside playing cricket or some other sport, there was an extra incentive – Prime Sports was scheduled to show highlights and a bit of live telecast of Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies. A year earlier, Pakistan were crowned the 50-over World Champions and they had also defeated England in a keenly contested Test series 2-1. The Ws, Wasim and Waqar, made the old ball talk.
Meanwhile, the West Indies still possessed a lethal pace attack, comprising Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop, who was still at his peak. Among the batters, alongside Richie Richardson and the veteran Desmond Haynes, there was also excitement surrounding a young Brian Lara, the Prince of Trinidad.
Within what seemed like the blink of an eye, that particular summer vacation got over and it was back to school. Days turned into months and years, and now three decades. In July 2023, India have travelled to the Caribbean to play Test and limited-overs matches. The stadiums remain mostly the same; a few venues have been added over the years. But perhaps the charm of watching cricket in the West Indies doesn’t remain the same. Just a week or so ago, the West Indies were dumped out of the 50-over World Cup Qualifiers. They also couldn’t progress to the main round of the T20 World Cup in 2022.
Although, barring a series win against England in 2022 and a memorable triumph in Bangladesh a year before, the results haven’t exactly gone their way, the Test team still seems to have a bit of fight left in them. Kraigg Brathwaite, the gutsy captain of the West Indies, would have to lead from the front if the home side are to put a spirited show. Brathwaite, known for his defensive skills on the back foot, was in fine form in the Test series in Australia, scoring defiant hands of 64 and 110 at the Perth Stadium against Australia. He then went on to compose 182 in Zimbabwe. But on a couple of bouncy tracks in South Africa – the Wanderers and Centurion – Kagiso Rabada had his number.
Another player who impressed in the Test series in Australia was Brathwaite’s opening partner, Tagenarine Chanderpaul. The left-hand batter compiled knocks of 51, 45, 47 and 17 in Australia, and followed it up with a double-ton in Zimbabwe. However, just like Brathwaite, he found runs hard to come by in South Africa. Tagenarine, just like his father Shiv, employs a rather curious trigger, and that could put off Indian bowlers to some extent. Jermaine Blackwood, the seasoned campaigner, would have to also add heft to the team’s cause by making valuable contributions.
The West Indies have also picked two newcomers – Alick Athanaze and Kirk McKenzie. In his native land, Dominica, Athanaze is known as a passionate cricketer, who during his formative years gained a reputation for doing shadow batting even on the streets. The left-hand batter gave a glimpse of his quality by becoming the leading run-scorer in the Under-19 World Cup in 2017-18.
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In that World Cup, he cracked a sublime 74 against South Africa Under-19. In that knock, he didn’t just showcase his ability to land the pull, straight drive or square-drive, but also seemed adept at rotation of strike, something that some of his senior teammates have struggled to execute at higher levels. In the 2022-23 first-class season, he averaged over 57 and topped the batting charts in the regional four-day competition. He also looked in good touch during the A series in Bangladesh.
At a time when some of West Indies’ players seem to be more of globe-trotting T20 professionals, Athanaze’s following words act as a soothing balm for fans of Calypso flair: “I am only here for one job, and it is to make the West Indian people proud.” Athanaze, who was a part of the touring party to South Africa earlier in the year, would hope to make his Test debut against India.
McKenzie, the Jamaican, is also a left-hand batter. The writer’s first glimpse of McKenzie was in the U19 World Cup game against New Zealand in 2020. His innings of 99 comprised some eye-catching punches, cuts against pace, alongside lofts while playing spinners. McKenzie averages a tad under 40 in first-class cricket and just like Athanaze, he had a good tour of Bangladesh with the A side.
The pace attack would again be led by Kemar Roach. In overseas conditions, Roach has mostly been below-par – averaging close to 40 and taking just over two wickets per Test. But in home conditions, and with a Dukes ball in hand, he is set to trouble India. With time, Roach has lost more than a yard of pace, but has added bowling smarts to his repertoire – use of the crease and employing the wobble-seam ball. His record in the Caribbean Islands – 180 wickets at 21.92 – also suggests he is a great bowler in home conditions.
His pace colleague, Shannon Gabriel, is 35 now. The tall and well-built pace bowler made a comeback into the Test set-up for the tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe, but could only pick up three wickets in two Tests. Perhaps this is the right time for the 26-year-old Alzarri Joseph to step up and spearhead the attack. The pace bowling stocks also consists of experienced all-rounder Jason Holder and Raymon Reifer; Reifer is more of a batting all-rounder. Akeem Jordan finds himself among the reverse players selected for the series. Also keep a close on McKenny Clarke from St Lucia. It is true that he has played just one first-class game so far. However, Clarke has that uncanny ability to beat the batter with deceptive pace and kick.
In the spin department, Rahkeem Cornwall has found a place in the squad. Incidentally, the spin-bowling all-rounder took the most wickets in the 2022-23 four-day competition. With Gudakesh Motie troubled by a back problem, Jomel Warrican has been picked as the second spinner. Meanwhile, Joshua da Silva is the wicketkeeper in the squad.
Can the West Indies give India a run for their money and win their first Test against them since 2002? It looks like a tall order, but West Indies need a bit of lift after their humiliating exit in the World Cup Qualifiers. Perhaps Brathwaite and his band of boys would bring some cheer back to the Caribbean Islands.
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