Dear Editor,
The defending champions, West Indies, were booted out of the 2021 T20 World Cup by Sri Lanka on 2021-11-04; and, in the process, they registered one of the most disgraceful performances by a defending champion in T20 World Cup that I can recall.
The knowledgeable selectors saw it “fit and proper” to send the oldest team to the tournament, including “senior citizens” for whom they had to bend the rules to accommodate. In the process, they excluded fitter and younger players who had justified their selection by performance.
It was a foregone conclusion from day 1 – when they were humiliated by England, after being bowled out for 55 runs (the lowest score in T20 World Cup matches) – that the folly of the selectors was way above levels imagined by any sane individual.
Gayle was given fitness exemption to gain selection despite the fact that everyone except the bright selectors knew that he was way past his best. He scored 30 runs in 4 matches at an average of 7.50. Rampaul, who enjoyed the same facility, got two wickets at 48 runs each, and had to be hidden when called upon as the strike bowler to deliver.
Collectively, Gayle, Pollard, Russell, Bravo and Simmons scored 118 runs in 4 matches, consuming 163 balls with the following averages;
* Gayle – 7.5
* Pollard – 11.5
* Russell – 1.75
* Bravo – 4.0
* Simmons – 4.75
These are the “Champions”, whose ages range between 42 and 33, whom the WI selectors believed would have regained the T20 World Cup they last won in 2016.
Significantly, the Chief Selector’s “X FACTOR” selection, Oshane Thomas, was not even selected for any of the 4 matches played, and Jason Holder, who had to be drafted in due to injury of McCoy, immediately had a positive impact with WI winning that match.
Ironically, after excluding the in-form Chase for the first 2 matches, which they lost, he was included in the lone match they won, and contributed 30+ valuable runs, which saved us from more embarrassment.
Anyone following cricket would know that T20 cricket now is played different from four years ago, and it is obvious that neither the coach nor selectors were looking at the tournaments, hence they were clueless as to the realities.
If my conclusion is flawed, then they have serious challenges.
The days of 60 and 70 runs in the powerplays are either over, or few and far apart. Most bowlers adapt to the playing conditions, bowl change-ups, and force batsmen to play proper cricket in the middle overs, with aggressive running between the wickets, keeping wickets intact, minimising dot balls, and then accelerating in the last 5 overs or so.
Many bowlers have successfully adopted strategies for restricting big hitting, with such opportunities mostly available when a bowler misses his length or bowls the wrong line.
The West Indies were found woefully wanting, and their big hitting could not save them in 2021. Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Russell looked sheepish in their dismissals, with every indication of the bowlers working them out and outfoxing them.
After being like a yoyo in the team, Hetmyer was able to hit a majestic 81, which could have won the match today had Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Russel scored 8 runs each. Hetmyer and Pooran scored 100 and 99 runs respectively, with both facing 72 balls, and averaging 25.0 and 24.75 respectively. Lewis scored 76 runs, averaging 19.00.
The coach seemed more interested in ensuring all the Trinidadians play in all the matches, and if one were to analyse what the Chief Selector said about the selection and what actually happened relative to team selection, they were either in different worlds, or the coach is dictating whom he wants in the team.
Either which way, they should do the decent thing and resign forthwith. They should not be allowed to do nonsense, defend their nonsense with arrogance and aloofness, and then when the “dung hits the fan”, be allowed to spew rubbish, causing West Indies cricket fans more aggravation.
Do like Bravo and do us a favour, resign now and take Pollard with you! It has been a total disgrace!
Yours truly,
Eric Whaul