Test matches, with their five-day span, are increasingly rare, and Ollie Pope believes a team can score 600 runs in a single day. When the Bazball approach clashes with a West Indies team prone to extended periods of underperformance, early finishes are likely. As England and Kraigg Brathwaite’s squad head to Edgbaston for the final Test, another shortened match seems probable.
For those who cherish international red-ball cricket, the lost weekends of this premier form of the game are disheartening. The West Indies’ inconsistent play, swinging between competitiveness and chaos, adds to the frustration.
The glory days of West Indies cricket are long past, but the team’s unique flair still captivates. At Trent Bridge, Dominicans Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze revived the second Test on the second day, displaying the aggression and style reminiscent of the 1980s. This was a stark contrast to their two-day defeat at Lord’s.
A promising start in the fourth innings chasing 385 ended quickly, with Shoaib Bashir taking ten wickets in just 23 overs. This collapse, just as BBC commentators were discussing ticket availability for the final day, was a disappointing end to a good Test, with England winning by 241 runs.
Such collapses have been a recurring theme since Curtly Ambrose retired, leaving a legacy of world-class talent. In 2000, after losing to England in two days at Headingley, the late Barbadian journalist Tony Cozier expressed his dismay, noting that such failures were no longer anomalies but part of a troubling pattern of inconsistency. His words still resonate today.
The West Indies’ top order is inexperienced, with Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Athanaze, and Hodge having only 17 Tests between them. These rookies occasionally shine, but veterans Brathwaite and Jason Holder are needed to provide stability, although Holder is struggling with the bat.
The bowling unit, however, has shown promise. Shamar Joseph’s seven-wicket haul in Brisbane led to West Indies’ first Test win against Australia in over two decades, a victory celebrated as if they had won the World Cup. Even Australian captain Pat Cummins acknowledged the significance of this win, especially after a heavy defeat in Adelaide. The West Indies’ dramatic shifts from brilliance to collapse have become too frequent.
Brian Lara was emotional in the commentary box when Joseph secured the win at the Gabba. Lara was the star of the 2000 West Indian team that marked a turning point for both sides. Although Nasser Hussain struggled personally, his team defeated the West Indies at home for the first time in 31 years. In 1999, England were at the bottom of the world rankings. Now, 25 years later, their opponents hold that position.
The decline in West Indies cricket over the last 25 years can be attributed to various factors, including the allure of other sports, structural and financial issues, and the franchise-based lifestyle. While loyalty to the team remains, as evidenced by Hodge’s celebration upon reaching a hundred, continuity is lacking.
West Indies show brilliance in short bursts, and when they do, it’s captivating. That Friday evening at Nottingham felt like real Test cricket, with bowlers striving for breakthroughs and batsmen fending off fast bowling. However, the collapse on Sunday shattered this illusion.
England, led by Ben Stokes, will aim for a series whitewash at Birmingham. West Indies once regularly dominated their opponents with a powerful pace attack. The 1984 team, described by Wisden Cricket as “like the All Blacks and Real Madrid combined,” exemplified this era of dominance. The search for new heroes continues, and sometimes looking back is necessary to move forward.