The famous West Indian broadcaster, the late Tony Cozier from Barbados, often referred to as the voice of West Indian cricket, once expressed in a disheartened tone that the only consistent aspect of Windies cricket is their inconsistency. This statement holds such truth that it is hard to argue against it, as he witnessed both the glorious days of Caribbean cricket and its significant decline. The transition seemed never-ending during his lifetime, and even now, the West Indies continue to grapple with the pressures and expectations from their vast fanbase.
It’s not that the Windies aren’t producing exceptional cricketing talent; in fact, their young players appear to be natural athletes and possess an exciting, aggressive style that everyone expects will lead to thrilling stroke play.
However, having talent is one thing, while effectively harnessing it through hard work and learning from others is quite another. Unfortunately, these young players are often struggling to achieve this.
Some of the recent players who are as skilled as anyone globally include Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, and Evin Lewis. These individuals are no longer newcomers; they have been representing the West Indies for the past five to six years. While it’s true that they have gained valuable experience competing against various opponents both at home and abroad, their statistics leave much to be desired.
Aside from Shai Hope, who has developed into a world-class ODI batsman in recent times, you will seldom find the others among any milestone achievements due to their inconsistencies.
Let’s reflect on this ongoing issue with their cricket and why the West Indies cannot tolerate these inconsistencies from their players.
Not setting the right example for budding Cricketers.
Every nation has its historical heroes whose remarkable achievements can inspire aspiring cricketers. The history of the West Indies is filled with legendary figures whose contributions to cricket are significant and capable of motivating everyone. However, the current West Indies cricketers are not exemplifying this legacy, as they occasionally deliver exceptional performances but consistently fail to meet their potential.
This inconsistency is one reason why the Windies have struggled to qualify for the World Cup and are no longer participants in the Champions Trophy.
Difficult to stick to a particular team combination.
Whenever a group of young players performs exceptionally and lives up to their reputation while consistently delivering results, it bodes well for the team.
The management begins to view them as potential future leaders or key members of the team. However, when these players suddenly stray from this path—either by not participating in all formats or struggling to handle the pressures of this challenging game of cricket—it becomes difficult for the management to maintain an effective team combination.
Evin Lewis made a significant impact when he began his career, delivering numerous outstanding innings that led everyone to believe we had found an aggressive opener. Similarly, Brandon King impressed with his smooth drives and powerful strokes, giving the impression that he would be a long-term asset for the West Indies. However, their frequent failures, despite occasional good performances, have dampened the spirits of the cricketing community.
Inconsistencies leads to Stagnancy
Most of the well-known cricket teams, except for the West Indies, have demonstrated that once they begin to win, they often experience a winning streak for a period. This success is attributed to the consistent performance of their players, which boosts team confidence and ensures that each member understands their responsibilities as they gain experience in their respective disciplines, whether it be bowling or batting. In contrast, the inconsistencies of West Indies players have led to stagnation in the development of cricket on the island.
Source– Guyana Chronicle
Despite discussing their inconsistent performance, one thing is certain: on days when they deliver a strong performance, they appear to be world-class competitors and exceptional entertainers. However, sporadic good performances will not suffice in the long run. If they cannot consistently meet their potential, there may come a time when they are let go from the team. Despite rumours suggesting that young athletes in the West Indies are choosing sports other than cricket, the Caribbean island continues to produce exceptional talent such as Keacy Carty and Shamar Joseph. If the senior players do not learn from their mistakes, it will become increasingly challenging for them to maintain a consistent place on the team.