Ex-Windies manager disappointed with T20I result

FORMER West Indies and TT cricket team manager Omar Khan expressed disappointment with the regional team’s second consecutive 2-0 away defeat to New Zealand after the third and final T20 International match was rained off on Monday.

The Black Caps won the opening T20I by a five-wicket margin and then produced another commanding display to capture the series with a 72-run victory in the second.

WI only chance to secure a consolation win, on Monday, was dashed as the visitors were on 25/1 after 2.2 overs before the heavens opened up in Mount Maunganui.Kieron Pollard, fresh off his historic Indian Premier League (IPL) victory with the Mumbai Indians, seemed to be the only positive takeaway from the first two matches. The WI skipper top-scored on both occasions by smashing an unbeaten 75 and then contributing 28. Before the start of the series, six WI cricketers – Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul and Shiron Hetmyer – travelled to New Zealand following their recent stint at the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Upon their arrival, the players were quarantined for 14 days before being able to join up with the rest of the team. During that period, however, they were still able to train among themselves and get some time in on the pitch.

Khan does not believe this isolated period would have hurt the team’s performances. While he applauded Pollard’s exploits with the bat, Khan was not impressed with the overall team’s attitude and competitiveness.

“We expected much better. The guys did not seem up to the challenge. I don’t think the isolation time had any negative effect on them.

“The players who went to the United Arab Emirates to play in the IPL would have gone through a period of quarantine so they should have all been prepared for it,” he said.

Khan took aim at the WI bowling attack, which according to him, failed to do just that. He said the bowlers lacked consistency, execution and did not seem to know how to adjust to the Black Caps’ charge.

“Overall I think all aspects of our cricket were poor. They may have had a plan but they didn’t execute that plan. The New Zealand batsmen showed that they could attack and counterattack. That was a big disappointment for the WI. “It’s sad to know that we are playing cricket by just going through the motions in this series. What was upsetting to me was there was no fight and determination on the pitch. When we looked a bit down and out, everyone dropped their shoulders,” he added.

WI is the only team to have won two T20 World Cups but is presently ranked ninth on the International Cricket Council’s T20 rankings. Having won the last edition in 2016, the men in maroon are the defending champions.

However, Khan believes the team’s performances do not replicate their status of defending world champions. He hopes this series loss can inspire a commitment renewal by the players who are expected to defend to their coveted T20 World Cup crown in India next year.

“I wish this loss sparks a rejuvenation. With the T20 World Cup coming up, we need to get our team identified and the players who we think could take us to the trophy again. We are defending champions and the guys don’t seem to understand that. We have to start looking like we want to be champions again,” he said.

With the two-match Test series scheduled to bowl off on Thursday (Wednesday 6pm TT time), the former Red Force manager longs for a different result.

The regional squad played two practice matches against a New Zealand ‘A’ squad over the past week and showed good form with the bat. Opener Kraigg Brathwaite (246 and 47) and Darren Bravo (135 and 93) dominated while Shamarh Brooks (53) and Jermaine Blackwood (80) also delivered promising displays.

“With Darren Bravo back in the lineup, the batting looks as if there’s a bit more stability in terms of understanding what is required in Test match cricket; playing the long innings and concentrating for long periods.

“It’s good to see Kraigg Brathwaite getting some runs in the practice games and I hope he could carry on into the Test matches. I’m hoping they give a better performance and account of themselves in the Test series than in the T20.

“They just have to move on,” Khan concluded.