Bonner: West Indies must reassess approach to Sri Lankan spinners

THE WEST Indies must reassess their batting approach to withstand the potency of the Sri Lankan spinners, if they are to rebound from the dismal 187-run loss in the first Test on Thursday, at the Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka, and deliver an improved performance in the second Test match on Monday.

So says West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner, who topscored with an unbeaten 68, after a harrowing second innings start by the maroon saw them reeling at 18/6 after just 11.4 overs. In the end, the West Indies were dismissed for 160, shortly before tea on the final day.

Sri Lanka’s spinners led the attack throughout as left-arm orthodox Praveen Jayawickrama (four wickets for 40 runs) and off-spinner Ramesh Mendis (3/75) did most of the damage in the first innings. Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya grabbed an impressive 5/46 in the second innings while Mendis (4/64) and Jayawickrama (1/28) were again on point with the ball.

Bonner’s knock, partnered with young wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva’s (54) contribution were the only positives coming out of the West Indies’ second innings display.

Heading into the second Test, Bonner believes the team needs to immediately tweak their batting strategy against the hosts' spinners.

“Our batting for sure is something that we have to look at and how we are going to mitigate spin seeing that (Sri Lanka are) also opening (with spin) with the new ball," Bonner said. "It caused a different challenge also with some (deliveries) spinning and some not spinning.

“This is something we are going to sit down as a team and look at. But as for us, it’s mental. I think everybody has the ability to play spin but I think we need to be clear on how we’re going to play this spin."

Bonner continued, “We know spin is the threat in the sub-continent. We have to be a bit more precise in our footwork, whether we’re coming forward or going back. It’s just small things we need to work on if we want to be surer in our defence and also in our attacking.”

Bonner said the West Indies team did a lot of pre-match preparation but Sri Lanka were simply the better team during the first Test.

“I think the preparation was good leading into the Test match. We had a lot of practice to simulate batting against spin. I just think it was the momentum was with Sri Lanka for sure.

“They came out and just rode on that. If we could have gotten more partnerships at the top it would have been easier to win or save the game. It didn’t happen but I’m sure the guys are looking into themselves and know what they did wrong and what they need to improve on,” he said.

When asked why the team would consistently dig itself into a hole during matches and then attempt, more often than not, valiant but failed efforts to bounce back, Bonner, in response, said they are aware of this awry stat and continue to work on eradicating this new trend.

Bonner mentioned, “I think it’s something we are aware of and something we are working on. I think everybody is working on it, trying to accomplish that. However, it hasn’t happened as it but it is something we are working towards.”

Bonner pointed out, “For me, my role in this team is to bat as long as possible and provide a solid man in the middle.

“In these conditions where the ball is spinning a lot, you want to play the ball on the back foot as much as possible. I know that I have the ability to bat long and that’s what I try to do each time I play for West Indies.”