Test batting under the microscope for Windies
A whitewash at the hands of South Africa in the two-Test series has brought the West Indies batting under the microscope.
West Indies failed to surpass the 200-run mark in each of their four innings, most embarrassingly being bowled out for 97 in the first innings of the first Test.
While this may come as a surprise judging from the build up to the series where West Indies were undefeated in their last two series and even advanced to sixth in the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings, this was not out of the ordinary. In fact, the West Indies have been struggling in the batting department for the majority of their immediate past.
A brief perusal of the last five years will show that the West Indies have played 43 Tests compared to England (64), India (56), Sri Lanka (49), Australia (46), South Africa (45), Pakistan (42), New Zealand (41), Bangladesh (30) and Zimbabwe (17).
In those matches, West Indies have been unable to string together partnerships and their batsmen have not been successful in scoring centuries compared to their international counterparts.
By virtue of these performances, it is unsurprising that the West Indies have a 30 percent win rate in the period. This is equal to Bangladesh and only better than Zimbabwe (11.7 percent). In comparison, India boasts a 62.5 percent win rate while New Zealand and South Africa have percentages of 58.5 and 53 respectively. Australia (47.8 percent), England (45.3 percent), Pakistan (38 percent) and Sri Lanka (36 percent) are the other countries above the Caribbean side.
Expectedly, the top ranked teams have scored heavily throughout this time. India have passed the 300-run mark 46 times with 24 being over 400. England have done so on 41 occasions with 18 scores over 400. South Africa have also passed 300 36 times with 19 400-plus scores. West Indies on the other hand have made 22 300-plus scores with only six over 400. Only Zimbabwe have scored less 400-plus totals. Bangladesh has also scored less 300-plus totals with 15 but nine have been in excess of 400.
Partnerships have played a crucial part in teams establishing high totals. India have 71 century stands with 16 over 200. England (59) and Australia (52) have over 50 while New Zealand (49), Pakistan (45), South Africa (44) and Sri Lanka (40) are among the most. Even Bangladesh’s 24 century stands, are more than West Indies’ 21 which is only superior to Zimbabwe’s 10.
The Maroon boys’ four double century partnerships are also the second lowest. India are the only team with more than eight with England having seven and Bangladesh coming in with six. Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa all have five.
Notably, the majority of these partnerships have been formed within the top fivebatsmen. This is another department where the West Indies have fallen behind.
Statistics show that their lower order has scored more century partnerships than the top five who have scored 10. Zimbabwe is the only other team to have their lower order score more 100-run partnerships than their top five.
Naturally, with partnerships building, individual performances take centre stage. In the last five years, the West Indies have two double ton performances as part of their 22 centuries. This tally is better than Bangladesh with 21 tons with three double hundreds and Zimbabwe with a dozen centuries.
However, this total is significantly less than the higher ranked sides. India have 12 double hundreds with batsmen scoring tons 68 times. Australia and Sri Lanka have 45 centuries. England have 44 and New Zealand have 42 with seven double centuries. Pakistan and South Africa have 36 and 34 respectively.
With batsmen scoring triple figures less than die-hard fans would want, their averages are also relatively low. Apart from Nkrumah Bonner (55) and Kyle Mayers (47) who have played eight and 12 innings respectively, Daren Bravo’s 36.47 is the highest career average among active Test cricketers with a minimum of 20 innings. He is followed by Kraigg Brathwaite (32.60), Jason Holder (31.76) ad Jermaine Blackwood (30.34).