West Indies Local: Digging in a lost art in Division 1

There was a stark reminder over the weekend that the quality of batting in club cricket leaves a lot to be desired.

And those who were making the point during the last two weeks that lessons could be learnt from the two attempts of the Cable & Wireless BET Under-15 final were absolutely correct.

Those finals might have lacked the enterprise of previous ones, but Alexandra and Coleridge and Parry showed that application and fighting spirit can produce just as satisfying results.

Occupy the crease

Both sides passed 300 in either the first or the second final and, in the three completed innings, either side was able to occupy the crease for more than 100 overs.

It is a pity that the seasoned cricketers cannot follow the examples of 13- and 14-year-olds. The seventh series of matches in the Courts/Suzuki Division 1 was further proof that something needs to be done to improve rapidly declining batting standards.

Some of the team scores would give the impression that pitches were impaired and favoured bowlers.

Not so. The sun was out in all its brilliance for the most part, but there were as many as six instances of teams being dismissed for less than 80.

The most startling statistics were at Dayrells Road, which is acknowledged as one of the best batting tracks in the country, and Black Rock.

Uncomplicated off-spin

Cockspur Wanderers, starting the second innings at the beginning of the final day of the match, were shot out for 61. It left Mount Gay Maple with 118 to win, but they could only manage 82, falling to the uncomplicated off-spin of Michael Edwards and medium-pace of Chris Humphrey.

Over at Black Rock, CHIC Schools South defeated United Carlton by 30 runs in a match in which the highest team score was 132. The schoolboys were routed for 61 in their second innings, but won because Carlton made only 85 and 78 in their turn at the crease.

On the opening day of the series, Dewars White Label YMPC were all out by the tea interval, their meagre 49 condemning them to defeat inside two days.

In the previous series, BCL were also bundled out by tea on the first day. On the final day, BNB St. Catherine, seeking quick runs with the hope of setting ESA Field Pickwick a target after tea, collapsed for 55 and duly lost.

These are the types of scores that have become common in Division 1 cricket and teams often find if difficult to bat for a day.

Oh dear, what can the matter be?