A battle of the weakest

Not even against the weakest Test team in world cricket has the West Indies been able to convince their most ardent supporters that they are a side to be reckoned with.

To be struggling right in our own backyard against lightweight Zimbabwe is proof, if any was needed, that little now separates the West Indies from the bottom pack in international cricket.

To lose to Zimbabwe is unthinkable. To have to struggle to beat them is simply not good enough.

So after four days of Test match cricket at Trinidad's Queen's Park Oval, what have been the redeeming factors'

I must say, there have been little. The catching on both sides has been poor, with Zimbabwe spilling four chances in the first innings and the West Indies putting down the gutsy Andy Flower three times.

The umpiring has also been below par. Debutant Wavell Hinds, the best West Indian batsman on show in the first innings, benefited from an umpiring error and so too did Flower before he had scored. It was significant as he made an unbeaten hundred.

Ambrose and Walsh made early strikes the West Indies so badly wanted on Friday afternoon, but Adams erred in not giving Reon King, his fastest and most hostile bowler, the new ball.

King has not been at his best in this match but he is the future spearhead of the West Indies attack and must be given the new ball ahead of Walsh.

Ambrose and Walsh are still good enough to demand respect and get wickets in helpful conditions, but the real Test for them will come in May when they have to come back for a second spell against Pakistan's world-class batsmen Inzamam Ul Haq and Saeed Anwar on the flat pitches of Guyana and Antigua.