West Indies finds “win” in draw

West Indies cricket tour of India continues with the 5 ODIs (One Day International), after a 2-0 defeat in the 3 Test [International] matches where I believe we underachieved.  However, captain Sammy seemed content, or maybe relieved, with the outcome of the third test in particular.

First Test in Delhi – Nov 6-9, 2011
West Indies 304 and 180; India 209 and 276-5
India won by 5 wickets

West Indies should have won the 1st test but the batting collapse after a 96-run first innings lead to a 5 wicket defeat.

Second Test in Kolkata – Nov 14-17, 2011
India 631-7 declared; West Indies 153 and 463  after following on
India won by an innings and 15 runs

West Indies were never in this match on a batting pitch because of the massive 631-7 that India put up.   On a batting-only pitch, West Indies put up 153 all out in the first innings.  After that poor batting display, the only thing Caribbean people could hope for was rain, because we knew the West Indies couldn’t bat out 2-1/3 days that would’ve been required to save the match.

Third Test in Mumbai – Nov 22-26, 2011
West Indies 590 and 134; India 482 and 242/9
Match drawn – dead even with 724 runs each.

This turned out to be a bigger fight than it should be.  A couple key mistakes by the West Indies:

1. When the West Indies got to about 530 runs, they should’ve declared the innings and forced the tired Indian batsmen to bat out the last 15-20 overs of the day.  Instead they continued to bat, leaving only 1 wicket in hand.

2. Surprisingly the following day (day 3) the West Indies batted out the innings and making a total of 590.   Then India batted through day 3 and most of day 4 to make 482 runs, 108 runs behind.

3. The West Indies did not prepare for a “prepared” pitch in the 2nd Innings with over a 100 run lead and, after reaching 83-2, were skittled out for 134.

So, a possible advantage was lost but a draw was inevitable, we thought, because the West Indies would bat out and declare after lunch, making around 200 runs and giving India 301 to win in 2 sessions.  It didn’t go that way as you all saw.  West Indies were out for  134, giving India 243 to win with 64 overs remaining… Sad.  Sad. Sad.  It was a miracle that the West Indies was able to save the match with a perfect tie.  At the end of the match, they both had put up the same total score.

Coming up will be the 5 ODIs and the West Indies will have a tough time on the sub-continent. The  more explosive, T20I-ready batting of the Indians will prove tough for a mediocre West Indian bowling attack, and possibly poor bowling pitches.  But we will see.  With no explosive Gayle, the Bravos,  Baraths, and Samuels have to play well together in at least 3 of the 5 matches if the West Indies hope to win the series. That is why we play the games, and await the outcome.

Despite all the happenings, I still cheer on my West Indian team.  Please join me in cheering for and encouraging our team.