Thursday, March 28, 2024

Better bowling key to a win

Date:

Share post:

by PHILIP HACKETT GREATER PRECISION will be needed if the West Indies bowling attack is to be effective as the team moves forward in the Colonial Medical ODI series which continues at Kensington tomorrow.

The West Indies yesterday failed to defend the highest score posted at home by the regional side as they went under to England. A boundary-studded century by Chris Gayle helped West Indies post a formidable score of 360 on an excellent pitch.

West Indies captain Jason Holder was satisfied with the effort of the batsmen but felt that there were other aspects of their game that require improvement.

“We have just got to be a little bit more ruthless, a little more aggressive with our bowling plans and stick to them. They are an aggressive batting unit so we have got to be aggressive and not back down. If we are smart we will be able to create the chances as we did today and once we hold them we will be in with a shout,” Holder said following the completion of the day/night contest.

Precise bowling

“It’s not a ground that you can easily defend on. The ball travels nicely at this ground so you have got to be able to make runs and our bowlers have got to be really precise with their plans and execute,” Holder explained.

Holder said the decision to open the bowling with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo was an attempt to take pace off the ball, but admitted the tactic was not successful on this occasion.

Holder dismissed the notion that the bowling attack lacked impact and felt that the current nature of cricket requires the batsmen to outscore the other team.

“I think that is just the way we have got to look at it. We have got to be clinical in terms of our batting. Make sure that we bat deep and we bat long.

“Once we do that we have got to be a little more precise in our decision-making; when it comes to the ball we want to bowl and stick to it,” said Holder Holder defended Gayle’s slow start, and emphasised the value of occupation of the crease.

“I think a guy like Chris, the longer he stays out there the more the opposition fear him. He has got that presence and we all know what he can do. He showed that today. He gave himself a really good chance which is good to see. People could sit down in hindsight and say A, B or C but at the end of the day, he batted deep for us, which is what we wanted.

“We always ask the top four batters to go deep for us. At the end of it, I can’t fault the batters. I felt 360 was enough. We have just got to be a bit better in the field. I think our bowlers definitely created the chances. So we have to keep creating chances and hold them,” said the West Indies captain.

OPENER Jason Roy lashed 123 off 85 balls to launch the England innings.

CAPTAIN Jason Holder broke the opening stand with the scalp of Jonny Bairstow.

THE MAJESTIC Shai Hope square-cuts during his knock of 64.

(Pictures by Kenmore Bynoe.)

Previous article
Next article

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

Four killed during stabbing spree in Illinois

Illinois, USA - Four people have been killed and at least five injured after a man armed with...

Guilty of having sex with minor

The St Michael man who was earlier this month on trial in the No. 4A Supreme Court, accused...

Disgraced ‘Crypto King’ to be sentenced

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former billionaire crypto boss who was convicted of fraud and money laundering last year, will...

Lester Vaughan update coming

One month after the closure of Lester Vaughan School, teachers and concerned parents will have a chance to...