Windies too over-cautious for comfort

The West Indies do not boast the batting line-up they enjoyed in yesteryears. Those were the days when such an attack would have been murdered by the likes of Richards and Greenidge. The Campbells, Jacobs and Adams went about the job of chasing the modest target in their own sweet time. The arrival of Lara, however, changed the scenario and the run rate picked up, as he displayed his awesome talent while clobbering the limited attack.

In one-day cricket, a team cannot afford to have rigid strategies. This the Bangladeshis must have realised yesterday. They elected to bat even when the conditions were favourable forbowling. Perhaps they had made up their minds to bat first, or maybe they thought they would set a target and put the Windies under pressure.

There were cold winds blowing across the ground, making the bowler’s task all the more easier. The wicket did not have pace or bounce, but the experienced Walsh lost no time in settling into a fine rhythm. Walsh has lost considerable pace, but he compensates by bowling economical spells.

As for the other West Indian bowlers, they lack in experience and, of course, class, and therefore find the going rather tough. Bangladesh batsmen Mehrab played an attractive innings, and later Mahmood helped himself to a tidy score enabling Bangladesh to put up a fighting total.

Despite that, I must say at one stage, the Bangladesh batting looked miserable, as they just could not get the singles or play improvised shots. They are seeking Test status a matter that may probably come up for discussion at the next ICC meet but I feel they will have to do something substantialbefore they are inducted as full members of the parent body. I guess they may have to wait for some time before they are bestowed with the honour.

At Dublin, they got Lara out to a soft dismissal, but their joy was shortlived as the batsmen who followed their skipper saw to it they were through without any hiccups.