Young generation offers West Indies hope
The game in the Caribbean remains in a fragile state, but the likes of Jermaine Blackwood and Jason Holder suggest that rebuilding is possible
Andrew McGlashan
04-May-2015
Jermaine Blackwood was not always fussed about keeping the ball along the ground • Getty Images
8
Jermaine Blackwood
Quite rightly Man of the Match in the final Test - kept West Indies alive on first innings then made the most of a life on 4 in the second to show impressive composure to tick off the target. That followed a maiden hundred in Antigua, which was a curious mix of extensive blocking and the love for a lofted drive. Hitting the air brought exasperation, too, as West Indies fought for draws but showed a little a patience and Blackwood is one with a long future.
Quite rightly Man of the Match in the final Test - kept West Indies alive on first innings then made the most of a life on 4 in the second to show impressive composure to tick off the target. That followed a maiden hundred in Antigua, which was a curious mix of extensive blocking and the love for a lofted drive. Hitting the air brought exasperation, too, as West Indies fought for draws but showed a little a patience and Blackwood is one with a long future.
7
Darren Bravo
Saved his best until last with one of his finest Test innings, 82 in tricky conditions to secure a share of the series. The patience he showed for much of the innings should become the hallmark for his career going forward - marry them with the range of strokes he possesses and he is an ideal No. 3. Had some issues against England's three offspinners before the final innings, his love for a drive always keeping the slips interested. Improving slip catcher.
Saved his best until last with one of his finest Test innings, 82 in tricky conditions to secure a share of the series. The patience he showed for much of the innings should become the hallmark for his career going forward - marry them with the range of strokes he possesses and he is an ideal No. 3. Had some issues against England's three offspinners before the final innings, his love for a drive always keeping the slips interested. Improving slip catcher.
Marlon Samuels
Outstanding hundred in the worst of conditions in Grenada - showing rare restraint - but either side of that could not build on some solid starts. Was done like a kipper by James Anderson in the first innings of the final Test. A surprising workload with the ball - he bowled the most overs for West Indies - and although he only claimed three wickets, and sometimes looked less than interested, he often gave control to Denesh Ramdin in the absence of a specialist fifth bowler. Gets an extra mark for the salute of Ben Stokes.
Outstanding hundred in the worst of conditions in Grenada - showing rare restraint - but either side of that could not build on some solid starts. Was done like a kipper by James Anderson in the first innings of the final Test. A surprising workload with the ball - he bowled the most overs for West Indies - and although he only claimed three wickets, and sometimes looked less than interested, he often gave control to Denesh Ramdin in the absence of a specialist fifth bowler. Gets an extra mark for the salute of Ben Stokes.
Jason Holder
Another series of encouraging development for Holder, highlighted by his maiden first-class hundred which saved the opening Test. His bowling was steady, peaking in the final Test with his best performance to date just days after leaving everyone wincing after he turned his ankle in Grenada. Still the feeling that there is more pace to come; can only benefit for working alongside Curtly Ambrose. Could be sooner rather than later when the Test captaincy is on his shoulders.
Another series of encouraging development for Holder, highlighted by his maiden first-class hundred which saved the opening Test. His bowling was steady, peaking in the final Test with his best performance to date just days after leaving everyone wincing after he turned his ankle in Grenada. Still the feeling that there is more pace to come; can only benefit for working alongside Curtly Ambrose. Could be sooner rather than later when the Test captaincy is on his shoulders.
Jerome Taylor
Fast, full, late swing made him very dangerous - although he can still go missing for a session - and he set the tone for West Indies' turnaround in Barbados on the second evening. The body remains brittle - he missed the second Test - and it remains a case of making the most of him when he is fit.
Fast, full, late swing made him very dangerous - although he can still go missing for a session - and he set the tone for West Indies' turnaround in Barbados on the second evening. The body remains brittle - he missed the second Test - and it remains a case of making the most of him when he is fit.
6
Kraigg Brathwaite
A fine second-innings hundred in Grenada but had his technique unpicked by James Anderson and also twice fell in similar fashion edging offspinners to slip. But remains the most convincing of West Indies' new era of opening batsmen - a throwback to the old-school - and should continue to be an anchor at the top of the order.
A fine second-innings hundred in Grenada but had his technique unpicked by James Anderson and also twice fell in similar fashion edging offspinners to slip. But remains the most convincing of West Indies' new era of opening batsmen - a throwback to the old-school - and should continue to be an anchor at the top of the order.
Shannon Gabriel
Comfortably the quickest bowler of the series - touching 93mph on occasion - and also had better control than has previously been on display. Should have bowled more on the opening day in Barbados, particularly when Moeen Ali came to the crease, but preserving him so his spells can be of shock value is not a bad plan for the future.
Comfortably the quickest bowler of the series - touching 93mph on occasion - and also had better control than has previously been on display. Should have bowled more on the opening day in Barbados, particularly when Moeen Ali came to the crease, but preserving him so his spells can be of shock value is not a bad plan for the future.
5
Denesh Ramdin
Played a key role in helping the save the first Test with a three-hour 57 before becoming James Anderson's record-breaking 384th Test wicket. His keeping was generally secure, but the feeling remains that he sometimes sleepwalks through his captaincy and allows matches to drift, although was very proactive during England's second innings in Barbados.
Played a key role in helping the save the first Test with a three-hour 57 before becoming James Anderson's record-breaking 384th Test wicket. His keeping was generally secure, but the feeling remains that he sometimes sleepwalks through his captaincy and allows matches to drift, although was very proactive during England's second innings in Barbados.
4
Devon Smith
What to say? The status-quo has been retained by Smith who was dropped for the final Test. Fought hard in the second innings in Antigua before giving his innings away, but a twin failure in his home-island Test in Grenada meant patience had again worn thin. With Phil Simmons keen to build a new team, it is now surely time to move on for good from Smith.
What to say? The status-quo has been retained by Smith who was dropped for the final Test. Fought hard in the second innings in Antigua before giving his innings away, but a twin failure in his home-island Test in Grenada meant patience had again worn thin. With Phil Simmons keen to build a new team, it is now surely time to move on for good from Smith.
Kemar Roach
Underwhelming with the ball, especially so in Grenada, his main contribution was helping hold out for a draw in the opening Test. Was down on what had previously been a top pace and it must be hoped that it was a temporary glitch and not a sign of a permanent downward spiral.
Underwhelming with the ball, especially so in Grenada, his main contribution was helping hold out for a draw in the opening Test. Was down on what had previously been a top pace and it must be hoped that it was a temporary glitch and not a sign of a permanent downward spiral.
3
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Is this it for Shiv? For the first time, he really started to look his age. Perhaps the reflexes have dimmed just enough to make that crucial difference. Looking solid enough in make 46 in the first innings of the series, but the final-day drag was uncharacteristically limp. The question for West Indies remains, is there yet anyone better to replace him?
Is this it for Shiv? For the first time, he really started to look his age. Perhaps the reflexes have dimmed just enough to make that crucial difference. Looking solid enough in make 46 in the first innings of the series, but the final-day drag was uncharacteristically limp. The question for West Indies remains, is there yet anyone better to replace him?
Played one Test
4
Veerasammy Permaul
A high economy rate of over four an over, but picked up four important wickets. Was much steadier in the second innings after a nervous opening.
A high economy rate of over four an over, but picked up four important wickets. Was much steadier in the second innings after a nervous opening.
Devendra Bishoo
An encouraging performance on a flat surface in Grenada, Bishoo suggested a talent worth persevering with. A solid lower-order batsman.
An encouraging performance on a flat surface in Grenada, Bishoo suggested a talent worth persevering with. A solid lower-order batsman.
3
Shai Hope
No shame in struggling against a world-class opening spell from James Anderson in his first innings, he showed promising composure in the second - and the occasional delightful back-foot punch - before being pinned by a yorker. Australia will exploit his weakness to the fuller delivery.
No shame in struggling against a world-class opening spell from James Anderson in his first innings, he showed promising composure in the second - and the occasional delightful back-foot punch - before being pinned by a yorker. Australia will exploit his weakness to the fuller delivery.
1
Sulieman Benn
Awfully disappointing in the opening Test as he failed to give Ramdin the control he needed from his spinner and neither did he pick up wickets when it mattered. Might have seen the end of his Test career.
Awfully disappointing in the opening Test as he failed to give Ramdin the control he needed from his spinner and neither did he pick up wickets when it mattered. Might have seen the end of his Test career.
Andrew McGlashan is a senior assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo