Crunch time for Windies (9 December 1998)

9 December 1998

Crunch time for Windies

Tony Becca

PORT ELIZABETH - With only one gone and four to come, the Test series between the West Indies and South Africa has a far way to go.

Even if the Windies, who lost the first, lose the second which opens at St. George's Park tomorrow (early morning Jamaica time), they could recover.

For the West Indies, however, this second Test is all important.

Based on their performances so far, the West Indies lack the motivation and the pride to win and if they lose again, it could be the start of an embarrassment reminiscent of Australia 1975-76 when they were destroyed 5-1.

The West Indian bowlers, but for veteran pacers Courtney Walsh, who with 382 wickets needs one to join Ian Botham in third position on the all-time list, and Curtly Ambrose, have been bowling too short, some of their batsmen are lacking in technique while others have been irresponsible.

South Africa, with a nicely balanced attack headed by pacers Allan Donald and the feared, accurate Shaun Pollock, a fighting, consistent set of batsmen which includes the exciting Daryll Cullinan and Herschelle Gibbs, a brilliant fielding team led by the incomparable Jonty Rhodes, and with a discipline and a determination matched only by Australia, are hot favourites to win the match.

However, the West Indies, can beat the odds, level the series and set up a lovely contest against a team which is not as good as many believe.

The problem is this: who will support the two bowling masters?

Although there has been talk of attacking South Africa's batsmen with four fast bowlers, that would be unwise - and for many reasons.

Apart from the expectation that the pitch will assist spin at some stage - which suggests a specialist spin bowler should be included, Rawl Lewis has been bowling quite well and should be included along with one of the other three pacers.

The question is which one?

Nixon McLean was selected for the first Test because of his extra pace, but like Mervyn Dillon and Franklyn Rose, who is recovering from his injured heel and bowled in the nets this morning, he has been bowling too short and straying too often down the legside.

With Rose unlikely to be ready for a Test match, the tour selectors are thinking of Dillon, but because of his pace, McLean may still be the better bet and they should give him another chance.

Victory, however, will also depend on the batting, and although Lara - despite a recent tendency to go forward too early and commit himself, despite playing with his bat too far away from his pad, could explode. although Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are capable of coming good at any time, the West Indies must be worried going up, not only against Pollock's swing bowling, but also against a tight, accurate South African attack supported by brilliant fielders.

Clayton Lambert and Philo Wallace in the opening spots have promised to give Lara, Chanderpaul and Hooper a good start, and the team is hoping that they will.

This is a Test match which the West Indies need to win - and despite certain shortcomings, despite the heavy wind which could make Pollock even more difficult and the much-talked about spirit of the South Africans, they can win it if they play like professionals.

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner (https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)