Sunset on Windies

The sun has set on the West Indies chances of a semi-final berth of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, plunging the region into darkness and gloom.

The West Indies’ remaining two matches against Bangladesh next week Thursday in Barbados followed by their meeting with England two days later at the same venue are of academic interest.{{more}}

They will not be even playing for pride, as Captain Brian Lara suggested in a post match interview last Tuesday, as the regional team have not shown that ingredient as being part of their repertoire in their Super Eight sojourn.

The West Indies failed to clutch on to their last straw when they were beaten by 67 runs at the hands of South Africa last Tuesday in Grenada, thus losing all four of their Super Eight matches on the trot.

They were given a life line last week Saturday when Bangladesh inflicted a 67-run upset triumph on South Africa.

But the hosts locked in a mood of under par performance never looked deserving of that opportunity as they were restricted for 289 for 9 off their allotted 50 overs, in pursuit of an imposing 357 for the two points and a rekindling of the region’s hopes which had been severely dented.

The win by South Africa put their win -loss record in World Cup matches against the West Indies to 2-2.

Only Ramnaresh Sarwan stayed long enough at the crease to ignite any spark in the West Indies innings. He hit his highest World Cup score 92 off 75 deliveries. But he found no partner to carry the fight as he was the eighth batsman dismissed.

With South Africa comfortably in the ascendancy, they eased their feet off the pedal, allowing number ten batsman Darren Powell to help himself with 48 not out from 36 balls.

Homeboy Devon Smith coming into the team for his World Cup debut, batting at number three, threatened with 33 from 27 balls but his stay was short lived, so too was the out of sorts Chris Gayle who laboured with 32 from 35 deliveries, at the top of the order. Shaun Pollock 2 for 33 and Jacques Kallis took 2 for 36 made sure that the West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals.

South Africa put into bat by West Indies took advantage of some uninspiring bowling, sluggish fielding and baffling tactics by Lara, sped to 356 for 4 in their 50 overs.

The West Indies bowlers had no answer to opening batsman A B De Villiers who slammed 146 off 133 balls, splattered with twelve fours and five sixes, his maiden One Day International century. He was supported by Kalllis who crafted an equally swift 81 from 86 balls, as the two punished the West Indies with 170 partnership for the second wicket.

The South Africans struck their opponents’ bowlers to all parts of the field at will. The ‘Proteas’ went on a canter hitting 198 off their last 20 overs. Joining in the happy hour were Herchelle Gibbs who hit 61 not out from only 40 balls and Mark Boucher 52 utilising just 23 balls, as the West Indies went ragged.

Corey Collymore preferred for this match to the speedy Jerome Taylor was the West Indies most successful bowler with 2 for 41.

A public holiday granted by the Grenada government last Tuesday, which ensured home support; relaxation of some of the International Cricket Council’s stringent restrictions and a break for most of the players to return to their respective territories, meant little, as the West Indians in the field, looked bland and nonchalant.

The constant repetition of David Rudder’s cricket anthem “Rally ‘round the West Indies”, by the disc jockey did little to warm the spirits of Brian Lara’s men.

Reports of players being accosted by an irate fan at a Grenadian night club two nights before last Tuesday’s crucial match summed up the team’s commitment and disdain shown to the people of the Caribbean.