West Indies v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Guyana

Michael Holding: Windies' batting was lackadaisical

March 26, 2008

The West Indies batting line-up failed to apply themselves and they have lot of questions to answer before the second Test in Trinidad. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka stuck to their guns and they thoroughly deserved a historic win in Guyana

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Comments have now been closed for this article West Indies always lose,so why is there the fuss ??? It would be a wonder if they can save the series.West Indies,since Carl Hooper backed away,have never looked like a team;they are more a collection of 11 players who look lost in the game. Posted by Nipun on March 28 2008, 03:58 AM GMT West Indies is currently in bad form. SL just returned fresh from the CB Series after defeating Australia in the last game. The SLankans obviously feel very confident and it's hard to beat SL when they're so full of confidence and form. Posted by TheSriLankan on March 28 2008, 03:03 AM GMT I think that Chris Gayle did not stand up to his responsibility as a premier batsman and as the captain of the West Indies.Never in my life have I seen a senior internationa cricketer instead of covering a taolender was covering himself.At seven overs to go the West Indies should have been able to hold on for a draw.I wonder where is Chris Gayle going to hide at Queens Park Oval(from Chaminda Vaas). Posted by Guybiz on March 27 2008, 23:22 PM GMT THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY DON'T CARE A DAMN TEAM. The West Indies is a team containing good class and potential but their inconsistent scoring and don't care a damn attitude got them where they are.For once in a while Gayle plays an important role other than that he comes to the wicket and plays lackadaisical shots and gets out.That was just pathetic proformance against the lankans.More local cricket could help but most of all the West Indies concentration is key.Let Gayle and Chanderpaul open as in the one day,let Gayle attack the bowlers playing proper orthodox shots and Chanderpaul playing a supporting role.West Indies take the test match approach by batting alot of balls without scoring and still get out by playing some stupid shot so its best they just attack in the fist place. Posted by denzel on March 27 2008, 23:04 PM GMT This is the fifth test match Sri Lanka played in West Indian soil. It says all how Sri Lanka is treated by WI. But you should respect all the other former sri lanka players like , Arjun, Aravida, Mahanama, Asanka, Hashan, Marvan who brought Sri Lanka cricket to this level. Hats off to current players. Posted by dineshasanka on March 27 2008, 22:53 PM GMT Congrats to SL. As a West Indian, I continue to be embarrassed by our mediocrity and lack of professionalism. They have little ability to bowl out a side, let alone get 400 runs in an innings. The demise is sad, but there really no hope of recovery - no matter the odd talented player. With the focus of the game shifting to India and professional leagues conflicting with the Caribbean season, it is only a matter of time when the West Indies team is a memory. All SL fans, enjoy a whitewash on this tour as it may be one of the last time the team will be going there. Posted by Bullerman on March 27 2008, 22:51 PM GMT Indeed the batsmen were lackadaisical. Samuels was in space; Chanderpaul seemed devoid of life; Devon Smith will never get the plot; Ramdhin continues to be a hit or miss; Bravo seems satisfied with little cameos; And Sarwan just didn't get it done. The positive must be that WI still took the game into the final minutes. As for Sri Lanka: a clearly superior team with 4 world bests. However, not a likable team, behaving like a pack of hyenas on that final day. Success should not come at the expense of class. And Mr. Muralitharan, your ever constant smile is the devil's grin. The one that spins a lot more, the much faster one, the one that turns a lot the other way, all usually a result of excessive flexion, not only from the wrist. And please trying to be cute when appealing for no reason. Muralitharan is cricket's Barry Bonds. The greatest, that should never have been. Posted by SomeCents on March 27 2008, 21:25 PM GMT I don't expect Michael Holding to say too much detracting about the team in an interview, but he still does not seem to be holding Gayle's feet to the fire as he used to do with Lara. After all what kind of leadership did Gayle show by coming in at number 6 and then exposing the last two batsmen by refusing outright to run for singles? His excuses were absolute rubbish. And anyone who has been following cricket and Gayle in particular should admit that this is the real Gayle. Not the one that lead us so well in the last series...that was an aberration. West Indies fans are so desperate for any glimmer that they are grabbing on to anything that shines but remember all that glitters is not gold......it might be gold plated and lead on the inside. The sad thing is that one of the only men of REAL character who was appointed captain i.e Chanderpaul, was completely sabotaged in the position. We need real leadership not a pick up captain and all this is the fault of the management WICB. Posted by jlow on March 27 2008, 20:46 PM GMT Yeah obviously it was a very good win for the Lankans thier first win in the Carribean Soil.From the West Indies Side only Bravo showed some resistance and others directly surrendered to the Mighty Lankans..Eventhough Srilanka won this match there were few positives which the W.I can take especially the promotion of Bravo Top of the order-he held the innings together before that dismissl to Murali...So ceylonese end the carribean Dearth lets c what is going to happen in the next test.But one must also give credit to the S.L ground fielding(Which has improved a Lot in the past 2 years) so keep it Up Jaya Boys we are looking forward to another Hard Fought Contest Gayle->Commiserations to you Posted by seshakcg on March 27 2008, 20:44 PM GMT Chanderpaul needs to fire in order to help the West Indians to make a big score. Chattergoon needs to open the batting, Gayle needs to bat down the order, Edwards need to come back into the team. Bravo should not open the batting he is better at number five. Try Darren Ganga with opening the batting for the last time. Posted by chuBBs1965 on March 27 2008, 18:35 PM GMT Read all 22 Comments  Top ^