Batsmen failed to read the pitches

The second match in Barbados was a real nail-biter. England batsmen enjoyed the true pitch to again make a good total. But this time the target was realistically possible. Although the West Indies batsmen played well they were never in control as wickets kept going down. Ambrose, Lewis and the new wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs were a sensation — particularly Jacobs as he swung the victory for the home team in the last over with Walsh at the other end. This was the turning point for this One-day series.

Back-to-back matches in St Vincent were decisive as Englandbatsmen struggled to put up any sort of decent totals. The batsmen came out throwing the bat at the ball as if the pitches were flat and true in Barbados. Nobody seemed to assess the pitches correctly. The ball didn’t come on to the bat and the spinners got some turn.

Lara was very smart as captain as he got a lot of overs out of `bits-and-pieces’ bowlers like Keith Arthurton and Phil Simmons together with the spin of Hooper and Lewis. England got frustrated as the West Indies dispensed with the traditional fast bowling tactics. None of the batsmen tried to play the ball around sensibly — too many went for the big hit or boundary shot and paid the penalty. England’s lack of application should take nothing away from the West Indies as the teams were selected wisely and the players showed resilience and toughness that has been lacking of late.

In Lara, they have a captain who is innovative — prepared to do the unexpected — and accept that his ideas won’t always come off. He’ll always be worth his placein the team and particularly now he is working at his batting and playing well. On top of that he just might have the most important ingredient of all — being a lucky captain.

The new England captain needs better advice from senior players and management. Some wicket-taking bowlers like Gough and Cork would be a bonus and the batsmen need to use their brains when assessing each pitch and play according to the surface.