Tony Becca

THE WEST Indies take on Australia in the second of their five one-day internationals in Grenada today.

Despite all the talk about how good the West Indies are and the encouragement of Chris Gayle who, obviously with tongue in cheek following the contrasting performances of the two teams over the past 13 years, said that Australia won the first match because they were the better team on the day, it will take some luck for the home team to win and level the count.

Lest it be forgotten, Australia, after losing the toss and being sent to bat first on the pitch at Arnos Vale in St. Vincent, scored 273 for eight, off the allotted 50 overs, before dismissing the West Indies for 189 in 39.5 overs, to win easily, by 84 runs, with 10.1 overs remaining.

No excuse

Once again, it was the West Indies batting which, more than anything else, let them down, and although Shivnarine Chanderpaul was absent, injured, there was no excuse.

Ramnaresh Sarwan got a brute of a delivery from Brett Lee and although a batsman of his class should have been able to deal with it, so be it.

The dismissals of Xavier Marshall, hanging his bat outside the off-stump and edging; Kieron Pollard, hanging his bat outside the off-stump and edging; and Andre Fletcher, walking down the pitch and staying out there as if he were playing with his brothers and sisters, after the ball had beaten him, demonstrated that, despite their talent, they are not ready for the level to which they have been so hastily promoted.

They need experience, much, much more. They need to learn to protect their wickets and, apart from a big off-drive against a half-volley, a square cut or a pull against a short delivery, they need to learn how to score runs.

Plenty luck needed

The real reason why the West Indies will need some luck, and plenty of it, is the fact that not only are Gayle, Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Denesh Ramdin and Marshall injured but that all five are expected to play.

That should not be.

Cricket, sport, is not only a test of skills but it is also a test of physical and mental condition and, at any level, selection should be reserved for those who are fit, those who are tough, and, in this day and age, superbly fit and extremely tough at that.

Based on the standard of batting in the West Indies and who are around to replace them, some may say that the West Indies, are better off with a half-fit Gayle, a half-fit Chanderpaul or a half-fit Sarwan, and in terms of runs scored, or rather, in terms of runs expected, that may well be true.

There are some realities, however, and they include running between the wickets and going for quick singles, running to field the ball to run out a batsman and to take catches.

On top of that, it cannot be good for team spirit when a player, captain or no captain, who is injured, is selected over one who is fully fit.

Weakness in selections

Gayle should never have played with his injury. The fact that he played demonstrated the weakness of West Indies cricket, as far as replacements and the selection process are concerned, and it is almost a safe bet, not only that he will play again today, but that almost all, if not all, the other injured players will again represent the West Indies.

According to captain Gayle, it is up to the player if he can manage or not. However, I find it strange that, in West Indies cricket, a player can decide to play or not.