Pooran’s poor form, winning ways

NICHOLAS Pooran proved himself worthy of the captaincy of the West Indies white-ball cricket team with a definitive series win over the Netherlands. He led his team to convincing victories in all three games played on May 31, June 2 and 4.

For those who are quick to judge and believe that it’s “only the Netherlands,” I would like to remind them that all games have a winner and a loser. Now, if it were that WI had lost to their opponents, the hue and cry, plus insults, would have been heard throughout the WI.

It is my point of view that the winner of any staged professional contest must always be praised, because that’s the reason for participating.

Pooran also was the captain when WI won their clash with the Australians, four games to one, in a T20 rubber at home last year.

Although the apologists might put forward the view that the Australians were not at their strongest, I make bold to say, neither were the WI.

However, this was the Trinidadian’s first series after having been given the reins of leadership officially. Also, the Netherlands is an improved side and not the Holland of the past, who weren’t cricketers of experience.

I must admit that I was surprised at the talent on show within their team and at present, they are battling for recognition to be acceptable in the next World Cup of 2023; therefore they have more determination to prove that they are at a commendable level. On perfect pitches, designed especially for limited-overs games, one would have noticed the improvement.

They will be playing against England, Pakistan and New Zealand in the next few months, which augurs well for their improvement and development.

Plus, they are playing at home in a familiar climate and ground. Thus they hold the advantage. Also, the visiting WI didn’t have much opportunity to practise, to sharpen their skills for the series.

This brings me to the concern over Pooran’s abysmal batting form in the tournament.

As a matter of fact, it has been a miserable effort by the captain, for the main reason that the wicket was perfect, with a consistent bounce, and other batsmen, like Shai Hope, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers and Sharmah Brooks, all showed their class, given the excellent batting conditions.

Yet the skipper could only manage scores of seven, ten and seven. While his batsmen were taking full advantage of the conditions, Pooran got himself out with a very unfortunate choice of strokes.

He revealed a lack of concentration for which a batsman of his experience cannot be excused.

In the first game, he misjudged the length of a ball and went for an ill-advised pull shot which he missed completely and was bowled.

In the second game, he placed his front foot straight down leg stump and attempted a high-risk stroke, a square drive to a ball pitching at least a foot outside off-stump, a delivery he could hardly reach, and dragged the ball onto his stumps.

In the third game, at a good-length ball, he played right across the line and was palpably lbw.

At the time he made these wayward shots he had just come to the wicket, but never used the automatic approach of at least playing himself in before these extravagances.

It’s either over-confidence or a total lack of concentration.

Maybe he got carried away with an inflated concept of his prowess. I believe it could be a shortage of first-class cricket. He has the ability to bat, but is unaware of how to play an innings.

As captain, he has to ensure that he leads from in front, as the team takes its cue from its leader.

I know the bowling coach of the team, Roddy Estwick, has urged Pooran to keep his batting and captaincy separate, or it will have an effect on his batting. I don’t agree that the two functions should be split. The captain has to lead at all times, whether he’s batting, bowling or fielding.

His men are then expected to follow him with the confidence that he’s directing them for the team’s benefit. That is the only way it can work; the better the leadership, the more positive the results.

That being said, the team under Pooran is off to a successful start, regardless of the ratings of the opposition.

To win is a positive sign that could breed confidence for the future.