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Windies decline in pace mourned by old Indian foes
MUMBAI: It’s not just the West Indies cricket fraternity which is mourning the absence of the archetypical Caribbean fast bowler – the one with a towering frame,
MUMBAI: It’s not just the West Indies cricket fraternity which is mourning the absence of the archetypical Caribbean fast bowler – the one with a towering frame, breathing fire with the ball in hand, the deliveries at the batsman’s throat and finishing with a cold stare.
Even the Indian players of the bygone era, when West Indies dominated world cricket, are saddened at the decline of their Test team. Their Twenty20 success notwithstanding, which is fuelled by big-hitting and slow, unorthodox bowling, the aura of West Indies cricket has been missing since the big, fast bowlers went out of business.
The West Indies team, formed of men selected from the cluster of Caribbean islands produced so many of the express kinds, it was said fast bowling was in their genes. The ball would explode off a length, start to rise and leave the batsman or jag in to terrorise the batsmen world over.
“It’s very sad to see the West Indies struggling. The ongoing Test matches have been disappointing, you don’t even feel like watching,” bemoans Madan Lal, star of India’s 1983 World Cup win over West Indies, who was also involved in three Test series against Clive Lloyd’s mighty team. “They (older generation) were different bowlers’ altogether, on any wicket they could beat you with sheer pace,” says Madan Lal.
“They had everything: skills, great speed, accuracy, swing and the hunger for wickets, and most importantly they were hungry for victories,” remarks Karsan Ghavri, who had made his debut against the West Indies in 1974-75.
Through the 1970s and 80s, they would have nine to 10 quality fast bowlers in the stable, with five to six in the team. Spoilt for choices, the captain had the headache of whom to unleash in the four-pronged attack.
Jamaica’s Sabina Park, where India dominated the hosts, was a feared battleground with the wicket most of the time aiding the quick bowlers.
Cut back to the current game, despite putting in a fair bowling performance, the West Indies bowlers were not clinical enough to make any serious inroads in the Indian batting line-up.
Of the three pacers in action at Jamaica, 24-year-old Jason Holder, around six feet 7 inch tall, along with 28-year-old Shannon Gabriel and 25-yearold Miguel Cummins have all the ingredients needed to be a good fast bowler. Yet, strangely, there’s not much in their bowling to make them standout, like their predecessors.
For the Indian experts who have seen the fury of Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding and Roberts, it’s the skill factor which is missing. Marshall & Co were not just good athletes, they were technically well equipped.
“The quality is not there in this West Indies outfit one bit,” says Ghavri, calling it a pedestrian attack.
Balwinder Singh Sandhu, who had opened the Indian bowling in the 1983 final against the West Indies, says the West Indian bowling was much more than sheer speed. “Marshall & Co were quick and deceptive. It was difficult to pick them, because they had variation of pace, and had movement.”
Given the wealth of wisdom available in the form of legendary fast bowlers in the stands, the lack of improvement in the skill level is puzzling.
“They may be very slow learners or not ready to learn. The wicket-taking attitude is missing. That they (The West Indies Cricket Board) keep changing the coaching staff, also unsettles the team,” reasons Ghavri.
