How Windies pieced together their Test series winning puzzle
“Is this a one-off performance, or are the Windies' glory days back?”
This was the question on the minds of cricket followers all around the world as they celebrated the Caribbean team’s series win over the visiting team England at Antigua.
Nevertheless, the current success should not take our minds away from the fact that this has been an uphill climb. It has been a journey without luxurious resources, without any fancy pieces of equipment and without any encouragement.
Twice World Champions, Windies remain a force to reckon with in T20I cricket. Their superstars play and shine in every corner of the globe where there is franchise cricket.
In comparison, the Windies Test side wears a look of a deserted city which everyone gave up on years ago. This week, it was reborn and how!
A puzzle is completed only when all the scattered pieces are set in the place they belong. The Windies management were taking the right measures towards assembling their Test team puzzle, but were missing a few pieces.
Ultimately they managed to put together the perfect combination which brought them two astounding wins. Here are the parts of the puzzle that fell in place to complete a glorious series victory.
#1. Kraigg Brathwaite
The foundation of every successful Test innings is the opener. Teams around the world are struggling to find an opening batsman who can face the opening barrage from opposition bowlers and stand tall till the lunch break at least.
In Kraigg Brathwaite, Windies have their rock. This opening batsman makes his case with guts and glory.
The solid opener has an experience of almost eight years in Test cricket, and that is showing in his performances now.
Brathwaite's bat was quiet in the recent subcontinental tours, but he showed his grit with a four-hour vigil in the second Test against England. His 49 runs at the top in 156 balls proved priceless for the home team.
#2. John Campbell
Brathwaite’s place in the puzzle was certain, but it took time for the Windies management to find the piece that fit beside him perfectly. They tried Kieran Powell and Chandrapaul Hemraj, but no one could claim the second spot with conviction.
The 25-year-old Jamaican batsmen, John Campbell, stepped in and promptly made his presence felt.
The left-handed batsman scored an attacking 44 in his debut innings which was laced with eight boundaries. Campbell subsequently recorded scores of 33 and 47 in his next two knocks.
The opener struck a six off the short ball to win the second Test for Windies.