SPORTS
Newsday reporter
I have read the reviews on West Indies cricket and the many mixed opinions of those who supposedly know the game and those who obviously don’t. There is some confusion about what is being titled emotional reactions and those who think WI cricket should be abolished.
This has been due to a very poor performance, hampered by captain Kraigg Brathwaite, by our cricketers recently in two Test matches in Australia. Aussie cricketers have ruled the cricket world in recent times and WI, with their poor record in all formats, is no match for them.
Test cricket is a separate game of cricket that is in a class of its own. Its structure is based on the best team emerging as the virtual winner. This means getting a team out in both innings, taking twenty wickets for fewer runs than one’s team can muster. It involves strategy and tactics to get the basketball players out of the gate, with eleven players on the court, plus the captain and his players to help plan and plot to that end.
There is nothing to stop a football player from legally using his wide range of strategic devices to trick basketball players into fake and foul moves, with no limit on the number of shots he is allowed to take, moreover taking considering the unlimited positions in the field that can be used. Thus, the bowler and/or his captain must be aware of the batsmen’s weaknesses, i.e., the field they set to limit his scoring or get him out.
Furthermore, the pitch used and its preparation is essential to assess the batsmen’s ability to negotiate the bowler’s tricks and determine the strength of the bowling team.
This is the psychology of the game. A proper assessment of the methods to be used and to ensure that the opposing team scores fewer runs than one’s own team. It requires thinking ahead of the match, a question of balanced side to be resolved, plus a captain who knows how to build the confidence of his players with encouragement and understanding, in addition to his betting approach, so that they have their mind in what the plan is, knowing that although the objective is to win, opportunities must be explored to achieve this.
The real test of a cricketer is to play Test cricket. Participating in limited-overs does not test the cricketer because it is more of a hit-and-run exercise rather than using cricketing intelligence, which is certainly the most challenging aspect of the game. Most cricketers I have met would rather play or have played Test cricket. Also, to prepare for Tests, you should take part in four or three days of first-class cricket.
The main reason for this is to know that, for example, if a bowler is bowling well, the batsman has to occupy him making sure that he does not get out while looking for opportunities to score.
Meanwhile, the bowler who is in place, in a way that a batsman cannot get the best of him, can still test the batsman. In a limited overs game, it should be removed after four or ten overs, depending on the boundary, to relieve the batsmen at the crease. Therefore, the batsman has a chance to move away from another bowler and he no longer has to fight against this one.
Thus, the real test of a batsman is the ability to play against a bowler who is testing his skill in trying to remove him. There are many powerful examples of these epic battles. For example, the battle for supremacy between Brian Lara and Shane Warne; what a joy it was to witness it. Imagine if Warne was only allowed to bowl ten overs or even worse, four! And there are many such that only test matches can offer. Viv Richards and Dennis Lillee; Garfield Sobers and Richie Benaud. And many, many more for the fan who enjoys the art of cricket.
When WI were running amok around the world beating teams like Australia and England, those nations never gave up.
They recovered and fought their way back to victory.
I don’t have to give in to bad shows.
In sports, one of the first lessons learned is that to win, someone has to lose. The reaction of the loser speaks volumes about their temperament to recover. It starts with the administration.
