Colin Croft's Preview - West Indies v Bangladesh (21 May 1999)

21 May 1999

Colin Croft's Preview - West Indies v Bangladesh

Colin Croft

Whatever happens, the West Indies cannot be sure of anything in this important but dangerous game. From most angles, the West Indies should win this game very easily. However, complacency could be dangerous, despite the fact that the West Indies easily has better personnel. If you want to mention complacency, just ask the Indians, who eventually lost to Zimbabwe. While I do not consider Zimbabwe as one of the minion teams, they played a hell of a game to beat the Indians, who, really, should have beaten Zimbabwe.

This game is all important to both West Indies and Bangladesh. Both lost their opening fixture; Bangladesh easily to New Zealand and West Indies almost as easily to Pakistan. Whichever of these two teams win now, that team could still have a chance of qualifying for the Super Sixes. Bangladesh still have to play against Scotland, Australia and Pakistan after they play the West Indies. West Indies still have to play New Zealand, Scotland and Australia. Any slip-ups now could be very dangerous, especially for a senior team like the West Indies.

Gordon Greenidge, the former West Indian opening batsman who is now Bangladesh's coach, has complained that his team "talks" a good game, but when it comes down to business, they are not the same. Bangladesh would have to change this if they are going to surprise the West Indies.

The slow medium pace/quickish spin of New Zealand's Allott, Nash, Cairns, Larsen and Harris seemed to confuse the Bangladesh batsmen who seem not to be able to use their legs well in getting to the pitch of the deliveries.

Though the West Indies have not named their team up to 18 hours before the game, one could almost be assured that at least four fast bowlers would be included. Either Ambrose or Walsh or even both would probably rest. That would only leave Dillon, King and Bryan to combine with perhaps Simmons, Adams and perhaps Perry. With Arthurton absent with injury, the West Indies must fortify their bowling, which looked decidedly short against the Pakistanis. Having said that, the West Indian bowlers still managed to restrict the Pakistanis to 229-8 in 50 overs. That was not such a bad job, even though Pakistan were 42-4 at one stage.

It is the West Indies batting that would probably be on trial again. Against Australia in the Caribbean last month, the batting held up fairly well with Campbell providing good steel opening. and allowing the batting to rotate around him.

Against Pakistan, Campbell failed against the great pace of Shoaib Akhtar. Ridley Jacobs and Jimmy Adams stabilised things without becoming dominant. Lara looked good without continuing. It was left to Chanderpaul to try to make some attempt on Pakistan.

However, the tail was really poor. Between Simmons, Ambrose, the injured Arthurton, Dillon and Walsh, they only managed 22 runs. That is where the West Indies problems lay. Their later order batsmen have got to make more runs, especially if one or two of the earlier batsmen do not score well. The key to any West Indian success would simply be to make huge scores.

The opening bowlers of Bangladesh are not so bad. Hasimul Hussein, Mondural Islam and even Khalid Mahmud are bowlers who could strangle batsmen out more than destroy them. The West Indies batsmen would have to be very patient.

Overall, the West Indies should have the distinct advantage here. However, the slowness of the Bangladesh bowlers is not to be underestimated. It must also be remembered that already, minor upsets have occurred with New Zealand beating Australia and Zimbabwe beating India. There will be a major upset somewhere in this competition. After the experience of Kenya in the last World Cup, the West Indies would not want to go through that again. They should win, but caution is the key.

Source :: Colin Croft