Daren Sammy, the West Indies head coach, voiced his frustration after their 2-1 ODI series defeat to Bangladesh, particularly with the performance of the spin attack. Despite turning and slow pitches, West Indies spinners struggled to make an impact while their Bangladeshi counterparts dominated the series.
Bangladesh’s tweakers dismantled the Caribbean batting line-up across three matches, claiming 27 wickets at 14.66 with an economy of 3.80. On the other hand, West Indies spinners managed only 18 wickets at 30.05, leaking more runs with an economy of 4.39. This lack of control and penetration proved costly.
“The positive in the ODI series was probably the batting of Shai Hope – how he continues to put the team on his back every time he faces a challenge. He is a leader. He puts the team on his back, but I am really disappointed in the way we bowled. You come to Bangladesh, and you know spinners should be licking their lips,” Sammy said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
“That’s the area where you will get to execute your plans, and in the most favourable conditions for you. What we displayed over the last three games was very poor, not consistent enough,” he added.
Underwhelming Show From Key Spinners
Main spinners Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase failed to deliver the breakthroughs expected of them. Interestingly, part-time option Alick Athanaze returned with better figures than both in the second ODI. Meanwhile, Khary Pierre and Akeal Hosein, back in the squad after a long gap, brought more control. Hosein’s four-wicket burst in the final ODI was the lone bright spot with the ball for the visitors.
Although the conditions heavily favored spin, Sammy accepted Bangladesh’s use of home advantage and shifted focus on his side’s lack of adaptability.
“I will tell you this, I always want to ask for home advantage. I can’t tell the Bangladesh team or the authorities what wicket to prepare. I focus on my team having the skillset to counteract whatever comes when they are playing away.”
“This series was very important for both teams. You are supposed to do what you have to do to win at home. That’s the most important thing. Whether that affects your development going outside of Bangladesh, that’s on them. I just thought my players just didn’t play well throughout the series,” he added.
Akeal Hosein Offers a Rare Positive
While the unit underperformed, Akeal Hosein’s comeback gave the coaching staff something to cheer about. After a two-year absence from ODIs, he bagged six wickets at an average of 13.66, maintaining an economy of 4.10 in two games.
“Massive kudos to Akeal in the manner in which he came up. In a team where you have three left-arm spinners and a guy who’s been out for the last two years coming in and outshining them, yes, there’s a place for competition,” Sammy said.
“That’s what you want in a team. You don’t want to select guys because they have nobody else to replace them. You want to select guys because they have competition, and what Akeal did in this series is definitely going to challenge some of the guys who’ve been there,” he concluded.
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