Bravo shines amid West Indies' gloom
West Indies' marks out of ten after their 2-0 defeat in the Tests against Australia
Brydon Coverdale
08-Jan-2016
Darren Bravo: one of the few men to make Australia repeatedly work for his wicket this series • Getty Images
8
Darren Bravo
Consistently, Bravo looked a class above his fellow West Indian batsmen, and he finished the series second only to Adam Voges on the runs tally with 247 at 49.40. His first-innings hundred in Hobart and 81 in Melbourne both came with little support around him, and his MCG effort was notable also for the way he dug in and batted time. If there were times when his running lacked urgency or he didn't rotate the strike enough, they could be forgiven, for he was at least placing a high price on his wicket and scoring strongly.
Consistently, Bravo looked a class above his fellow West Indian batsmen, and he finished the series second only to Adam Voges on the runs tally with 247 at 49.40. His first-innings hundred in Hobart and 81 in Melbourne both came with little support around him, and his MCG effort was notable also for the way he dug in and batted time. If there were times when his running lacked urgency or he didn't rotate the strike enough, they could be forgiven, for he was at least placing a high price on his wicket and scoring strongly.
7
Kraigg Brathwaite
The only specialist batsman who came close to matching Bravo, Brathwaite finished with 229 runs at 45.80. His 94 in the second innings in Hobart was remarkable for the way it dominated the total of 148; it was the highest percentage ever scored by one West Indian batsman in a completed Test innings. That was followed by 85 in the rain-ravaged Sydney Test. Brathwaite might have missed two chances to score a Test hundred in Australia, but he only enhanced his reputation as one of the key men for the next decade of West Indies cricket.
The only specialist batsman who came close to matching Bravo, Brathwaite finished with 229 runs at 45.80. His 94 in the second innings in Hobart was remarkable for the way it dominated the total of 148; it was the highest percentage ever scored by one West Indian batsman in a completed Test innings. That was followed by 85 in the rain-ravaged Sydney Test. Brathwaite might have missed two chances to score a Test hundred in Australia, but he only enhanced his reputation as one of the key men for the next decade of West Indies cricket.
Carlos Brathwaite
What a breath of fresh air this Brathwaite was. He debuted in Melbourne and with the bat immediately showed that he was up for the fight in Test cricket. His 59 in the first innings was punctuated by two let-offs from no-balls, but his 69 in Sydney showed that it was no fluke. As a batsman he showed he was capable of defence but preferred to take the attack to the Australians. As a bowler he took only one wicket but was the only bowler besides the captain who was able to keep the runs down to less than four an over. Off the field Brathwaite was just as impressive, whether speaking during the pink Test about his mother's fight with breast cancer, or during the Melbourne Test of the bat company he started in Barbados.
What a breath of fresh air this Brathwaite was. He debuted in Melbourne and with the bat immediately showed that he was up for the fight in Test cricket. His 59 in the first innings was punctuated by two let-offs from no-balls, but his 69 in Sydney showed that it was no fluke. As a batsman he showed he was capable of defence but preferred to take the attack to the Australians. As a bowler he took only one wicket but was the only bowler besides the captain who was able to keep the runs down to less than four an over. Off the field Brathwaite was just as impressive, whether speaking during the pink Test about his mother's fight with breast cancer, or during the Melbourne Test of the bat company he started in Barbados.
5.5
Jason Holder
What to make of Holder's series? As a bowler, he took only two wickets at 93 apiece, but he was the one man who throughout the series kept the runs down, costing only 3.04 an over. With the bat he had only one innings of value but it was an impressive one, his second-innings 68 at the MCG and century partnership with Denesh Ramdin giving West Indies half a chance of playing out a draw. And as captain he held himself well, led from the front and did not shirk responsibility, though he is very much learning on the job.
What to make of Holder's series? As a bowler, he took only two wickets at 93 apiece, but he was the one man who throughout the series kept the runs down, costing only 3.04 an over. With the bat he had only one innings of value but it was an impressive one, his second-innings 68 at the MCG and century partnership with Denesh Ramdin giving West Indies half a chance of playing out a draw. And as captain he held himself well, led from the front and did not shirk responsibility, though he is very much learning on the job.
Denesh Ramdin
Things were looking grim early in the series for Ramdin, who began with 8, 4 and 0. But his second-innings 59 in Melbourne, part of a 100-run stand with Holder, was important in showing West Indies were up for the fight, and he backed it up with a half-century in Sydney, albeit completed on the fifth day when there was no chance of a result. Behind the stumps he was presented with very few chances throughout the series, a result of lacklustre bowling.
Things were looking grim early in the series for Ramdin, who began with 8, 4 and 0. But his second-innings 59 in Melbourne, part of a 100-run stand with Holder, was important in showing West Indies were up for the fight, and he backed it up with a half-century in Sydney, albeit completed on the fifth day when there was no chance of a result. Behind the stumps he was presented with very few chances throughout the series, a result of lacklustre bowling.
4
Rajendra Chandrika
Chandrika did not pass fifty in any of his four innings, but he did display an ability to take the shine off the new ball. Aside from his duck in the second innings in Hobart, Chandrika gradually lasted longer and longer as the series wore on, to the point where he soaked up 130 balls and 164 minutes in the second innings at the MCG. He missed the final Test in Sydney due to injury, but there were signs that Chandrika - a man with only one first-class century to his name - has the patience to be effective as a Test opener.
Chandrika did not pass fifty in any of his four innings, but he did display an ability to take the shine off the new ball. Aside from his duck in the second innings in Hobart, Chandrika gradually lasted longer and longer as the series wore on, to the point where he soaked up 130 balls and 164 minutes in the second innings at the MCG. He missed the final Test in Sydney due to injury, but there were signs that Chandrika - a man with only one first-class century to his name - has the patience to be effective as a Test opener.
Jomel Warrican
The only West Indian who took more than two wickets in the series - and doesn't that say a lot in itself? - Warrican finished with five at 76.00. By collecting two in the first session of the series Warrican did his part in giving West Indies a good start, but it was all downhill for them from there. After he took three in that first innings he did not claim another wicket until the last day in Sydney, where a couple more were added to his tally in the rained-out draw. And to his credit, he was not dismissed in the series: five innings, five not-outs, 44 runs. Perhaps a promotion from No. 11 beckons.
The only West Indian who took more than two wickets in the series - and doesn't that say a lot in itself? - Warrican finished with five at 76.00. By collecting two in the first session of the series Warrican did his part in giving West Indies a good start, but it was all downhill for them from there. After he took three in that first innings he did not claim another wicket until the last day in Sydney, where a couple more were added to his tally in the rained-out draw. And to his credit, he was not dismissed in the series: five innings, five not-outs, 44 runs. Perhaps a promotion from No. 11 beckons.
2
Kemar Roach
These marks are entirely for his batting. Roach scored more runs at a better average than specialists Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Blackwood, and his 31 from 94 balls in West Indies' first innings of the series was instrumental in allowing Bravo time to reach his century. But Roach's place in this team is as a bowler, and he was so far off the pace it was hard to believe he kept his spot. His speed was down and he failed to build any pressure. The low point was being taken off after just one over (which cost 15 runs) with the new ball on Boxing Day. Series figures of 0 for 247 at 6.02 an over are about as bad as it gets for a strike bowler.
These marks are entirely for his batting. Roach scored more runs at a better average than specialists Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Blackwood, and his 31 from 94 balls in West Indies' first innings of the series was instrumental in allowing Bravo time to reach his century. But Roach's place in this team is as a bowler, and he was so far off the pace it was hard to believe he kept his spot. His speed was down and he failed to build any pressure. The low point was being taken off after just one over (which cost 15 runs) with the new ball on Boxing Day. Series figures of 0 for 247 at 6.02 an over are about as bad as it gets for a strike bowler.
Jerome Taylor
Like Roach, Taylor was unable to keep the runs tight even if the wickets weren't coming. He leaked 5.58 an over and picked up 2 for 257 in the series, both of his wickets coming in the first innings at the MCG. Before the series, many observers thought West Indies' batting would be its major concern but the bowling was in fact the big worry. That the two most experienced members of the attack, Taylor and Roach, combined took 2 for 504 at nearly a run a ball tells the story of the series.
Like Roach, Taylor was unable to keep the runs tight even if the wickets weren't coming. He leaked 5.58 an over and picked up 2 for 257 in the series, both of his wickets coming in the first innings at the MCG. Before the series, many observers thought West Indies' batting would be its major concern but the bowling was in fact the big worry. That the two most experienced members of the attack, Taylor and Roach, combined took 2 for 504 at nearly a run a ball tells the story of the series.
Jermaine Blackwood
A young batsman of great promise, Blackwood is currently experienced the first real slump of his Test career. After his 92 against Sri Lanka in Galle in October, he has played seven innings for a top score of 28, and this tour of Australia brought him 58 runs at 11.60. It began with a pair in Hobart, and Blackwood had little impact on the series.
A young batsman of great promise, Blackwood is currently experienced the first real slump of his Test career. After his 92 against Sri Lanka in Galle in October, he has played seven innings for a top score of 28, and this tour of Australia brought him 58 runs at 11.60. It began with a pair in Hobart, and Blackwood had little impact on the series.
Shannon Gabriel
It is hard to mark a man who took part in only one innings of the series, but Gabriel at least took one wicket during that innings, bowling Joe Burns on the first day of the campaign. He finished with 1 for 59 from 10 overs but took no further part due to an ankle injury.
It is hard to mark a man who took part in only one innings of the series, but Gabriel at least took one wicket during that innings, bowling Joe Burns on the first day of the campaign. He finished with 1 for 59 from 10 overs but took no further part due to an ankle injury.
1
Shai Hope
Like Gabriel, it is hardly fair to judge Hope on one innings, but the fact is that by scoring 9 runs in his only involvement, in the rained-out Sydney Test, he had no impact on proceedings at all.
Like Gabriel, it is hardly fair to judge Hope on one innings, but the fact is that by scoring 9 runs in his only involvement, in the rained-out Sydney Test, he had no impact on proceedings at all.
Marlon Samuels
West Indies needed their experienced batsmen to stand up on this tour. Bravo did. Kraigg Brathwaite did. Samuels did not. This was a stinker of a series for Samuels, who scored 35 runs at an average of 7. His body language was criticised, his lack of obvious on-field assistance for the young captain was noted, his fielding poor and his running between the wickets confused. To add insult to other insults, he was banned mid-series from bowling by the ICC due to an illegal action.
West Indies needed their experienced batsmen to stand up on this tour. Bravo did. Kraigg Brathwaite did. Samuels did not. This was a stinker of a series for Samuels, who scored 35 runs at an average of 7. His body language was criticised, his lack of obvious on-field assistance for the young captain was noted, his fielding poor and his running between the wickets confused. To add insult to other insults, he was banned mid-series from bowling by the ICC due to an illegal action.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale