Redemption season in islands of cricket action

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s legion of fans must be delighted he struck yet another Test century, 12th overall and fifth as skipper. While Kohli’s knock simply extends his sensational run, he has promptly brought about a course correction in the Caribbean.

Remember, the last time in the West Indies, on his debut series in 2011, Kohli couldn’t get going. He managed only 76 runs in five innings. He is dealing with that unfinished business, five years on, in style. But it is a real redemption season for three other cricketers.

On the eve of the Test, not far from the North Sound stadium, was celebration time for West Indies players, who were at the annual awards function jointly organised by the West Indies board and the players’ association.

Those who make up the two bodies have been at each others’ throats for a while. Hence it was heart-warming to see one man who had come in for lot of criticism, Marlon Samuels, chosen for two of the biggest prizes of the evening.

The Jamaican batsman troubles, including a fixing ban, has overshadowed his talent. And after producing his second Man-of-the-Match winning performance in a World T20 final in April, Samuels had attacked Shane Warne for constant criticism, and England allrounder Ben Stokes for provoking him during the final. He was fined 30% of his match fee by the ICC for “abusive and offensive language” directed at Stokes after a verbal clash during the final.

Samuels’ behaviour was heavily criticised by the West Indies board. It was revealed that the players almost boycotted the WT20 due to contractual disputes before Kevin Mitchell, the Prime Minister of Grenada, brokered peace. It seemed Samuels had thrown it all away. But still being given his due for his game indicates the willingness to give him a fresh chance. Samuels won the Cricketer-of-the-Year and ODI Player-of-the-Year awards.

A welcome redemption song was song in another faraway island, England. But the celebration at Lord’s was in the Pakistani camp, after their emphatic first Test win. Pacer Mohammad Amir made his comeback after five years out due to a spot-fixing ban and finished on the winning side. His disciplined bowling helped his teammate’s comeback. Yasir Shah took a 10-wicket haul. It was Yasir’s first Test since November, 2015, having served a three-month suspension for a doping code breach.