‘We looked totally out of it’

OMAR KHAN, former TT and West Indies cricket team manager, has slammed the lacklustre display from the regional side, after their 2-0 Test series sweep to the hands of hosts New Zealand on Monday (Sunday evening TT time).

The Black Caps won the first Test at Hamilton by an innings and 134 runs, followed by the second, by an innings and 12 runs, at Wellington.

“We looked totally out of it,” Khan said, during an interview on Monday. “The team looked like they were just going through the motions. They didn’t seem to have the determination (nor) the fighting spirit to assess situations, to come up with plans, to adjust to suit.

“New Zealand, in both innings, had a plan,” he continued. “You could have seen that they knew what they were about, how they approached their work. When the (WI bowlers) got tired, they took advantage of it. In all aspects, our cricket lacked that intensity, that skill to show that we can fight for our team.”

The West Indies dropped a number of catches during the second Test, with Henry Nicholls the main beneficiary, as he posted a Test-best 174 to guide the hosts to a total of 460.

Khan commented, “The guys didn’t seem to be focused. They knew that they had to play Test match cricket, but they didn’t seem like they wanted to do well. We didn’t execute well.

“The bowling, for example, there were a lot of times when we had to be consistent (with) line and length and put pressure on the batsmen,” he added. “When we got the opportunities, the catches were dropped. Our overall cricket, to put it mildly, was poor.”

Touching on Nicholls’ performance at Wellington, Khan said, “Cricket today is not just having the skills and the talent. Nicholls is no star (like) Virat Kohli, Steve Smith or Joe Root, but he knew exactly what was required in the situation, and he fought for his team. That is what our players need to start doing.”

Jermaine Blackwood was the West Indies’ most consistent performer, with an average of 54 with the bat. Khan said, “Blackwood, over the last couple series, in England and New Zealand, has shown he’s the type of player who’s willing to take the attack to the bowlers.”

The West Indies will be back in action, at the Test level, in Bangladesh, as they are expected to feature in a two-match series.

Asked about any changes he will make to the Test squad that faced New Zealand, Khan replied, “At this stage, I think there (are) very little choices that the selectors could make in terms of the players (that are) available.

“One of the areas that we continue to face a challenge is in having a top-class spinner.

“Going to Bangladesh, we would need a spinner who can be penetrative and take wickets. That’s one of the areas West Indies need to work on. I haven’t seen a top-class spinner come through yet in the Caribbean.”