West Indies v Zimbabwe: Preview of Second Test

Whatever happens, the Zimbabweans will probably be involved in history again with this 2nd Test match in Jamaica. Captain Andy Flower and vice captain Heath Streak performed very creditably in the first Test, with a century and nine wickets respectively. Either would probably have been the "Man of the Match" if Zimbabwe had won, or if Curtly Ambrose and the rest of the West Indies fast bowlers had not been so deadly. Now, they have more problems to contend with.

The Jamaican crowd is coming in their thousands to see their beloved captain, Jimmy Adams and especially Courtney Andrew Walsh, the venerable fast bowler who had been playing since making his debut 1983. These two will certainly have a lot of the highlights.

This second Test, though, is probably more about Jamaican fast bowler Courtney Walsh than anything else. With 430 Test wickets to his name, he now needs only five more wickets to break the existing record for the most wickets ever taken in Test cricket. That record, 434 wickets overall, is now held by former Indian captain Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj, simply known to the cricket world as Kapil Dev. It is also only incidental, now, that New Zealander (Sir) Richard John Hadlee also presently has more wickets than Walsh; 431 to be exact. These days, no-one even mentions his name when Walsh's effort on this record is the subject.

Regardless of what transpires on the field, Walsh will receive US$1.00 for every ticket sold. Taking his popularity and the exciting outcome of the last Test match in Trinidad & Tobago into consideration, he could be US$100,000 richer, and a record holder too, by the end of the game!

Both team captains have the same problem.

This will be West Indian captain Jimmy Adams' first Test in his native Jamaica since being appointed to the position. While enjoying his team's come-back victory in the first Test, Adams is also very concerned that his batsmen have not scored many runs lately. Without Brian Lara, the West Indian batting team looked very tread-bare for class and even clout.

Zimbabwe's captain, Andy Flower, who scored that determined, history-making century in the 1st Test, must also be able to clear his players' minds; so soon after being bowled out for their lowest Test score ever; 65; and to focus on the task at hand; winning this Test and squaring the series. His batsmen too will have to score well and heavily, perhaps batting only once, if Zimbabwe are going to effect a win in this game.

The pitch itself, devoid of any grass, is hard, firm and is expected to provide more pace and bounce for the faster bowlers as the game progresses. All of the batsmen should also be able to play more fluent strokes, something really lacking in Trinidad & Tobago.

This second Test could again come down to which team bats better, or which team wants to win more.