There’s still a lot to be gained

Denesh Ramdin

I know fans are likely to say there’s nothing to play for in the remaining two one-day internationals this weekend in South Africa. However, I believe that even though we have already surrendered the series 3-0, there’s a lot to be gained – especially if we can execute our game plan – in the final one-dayers on Friday and Sunday. We have already demonstrated on tour that we have the arsenal to beat South Africa and it would be great if we can do so on at least one more occasion before departing for home next week.

This, I think, would give us in the Windies camp a significant boost in confidence, particularly as we have been hampered by injuries to some of our top players. In addition, it would underline that we are capable of high standards and excelling among the sport’s premier teams once we perform to our optimum potential. I think South Africa has realised that, given our results earlier in the series. Unfortunately though, we have not been consistent on the field – and that’s why we have been outclassed.

We started our tour on a high against Graeme Smith’s team but I think we relaxed a bit and South Africa then came to the fore and have shown why they are among the best in all forms of cricket. We have faltered at critical junctures and not handled pressure as well as the opposition has done at key moments. Their experience has stood out against us.

Going into last Sunday’s decisive fixture in Port Elizabeth, I felt we had a very good chance of turning the tables on the hosts. After all, St George’s had been the scene of our historic Test victory and we had also won the first Twenty20 international there. So, we seemed to have the advantage over South Africa who had not enjoyed a good overall record on that ground – though they were already 2-0 up in the five-match one-day series.

Our stand-in skipper, Dwayne Bravo, won the toss and chose to bat. Opener Sewnarine Chattergoon built a solid foundation for us and Marlon Samuels played exceptionally well in the latter part of the innings to get us up to 252 for 7. It was a challenging total but we struggled somewhat in the middle of our 50 overs and didn’t accumulate runs as freely as we would have liked.

Also, we did not defend our score well. Our bowlers needed to produce more dot balls and wicket-taking deliveries. Instead, South Africa picked off boundaries easily which allowed them the comfort of working the ball around. Jacques Kallis’ unbeaten century gave South Africa the necessary momentum to seal the deal. He shepherded his team to a seven-wicket triumph as the pitch flattened out and transformed into a batting paradise.

Despite losing Sunday’s game – and the one-day series with it – we are remaining positive and are continuing to work hard in the nets. There’s obviously room for improvement and each of us knows we must pull our weight. It’s the only way we can win the upcoming games.

I am pleased with my wicketkeeping – which has come a long way – but I am disappointed to have made little impression with the bat. I am a bit concerned that I have not been able to carry on when I have gotten starts. I need to be scoring much more runs and, even though it’s too late for any silverware glory, this will be my goal for the final matches on this tour.