Sir Curtly hails Test side, says first choice players places in danger

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Legendary speedster Sir Curtly Ambrose has praised
West Indies’ outstanding performance in the ongoing Test series in Bangladesh, and
says the form of the players could keep the first choice picks out of the squad in
upcoming series.

Ten regular players – including five who represented the core of the Test side’s batting
– declined selection for the two-Test tour due to COVID-19 fears forcing selectors to
turn to a number of debutants.

Faced with a full strength home side in the first Test, an under-strength West Indies
defied the odds to trounce Bangladesh by three wickets after chasing down 395 on the
final day last Sunday.

At the heart of the victory were two debutants in Kyle Mayers, who hit an unbeaten 210
and Nkrumah Bonner who struck 86 – the pair putting on 216 in a record fourth wicket
stand.

“Like most West Indians, I’m extremely happy for the guys,” Sir Curtly, a member of the
television commentary team for the Super50 Cup, said here yesterday.

“Not too many cricket lovers gave them any chance of beating Bangladesh, and to have
won that game in that fashion, was so refreshing. I’m so excited for guys.

“And most people talk about second string, I don’t like those words because these guys
are the next in line of what we had so therefore I’m so happy they’ve done well and
shown all the negative ones who think they can’t do it at this level.

“So one-nil up, into the second [Test] we’re doing extremely well … 400-plus in the first
innings, contributions all around and I’m hoping they go on to win the second Test.”

With first choice gloveman Shane Dowrich also opting out of the tour for personal
reasons, his absence meant a spot for rookie wicketkeeper-batsman, Joshua Da Silva,
who had played only a single Test prior to the series.

However, Da Silva made 42 and 20 in the opening Test and then followed up with a top
score of 92 yesterday in the second Test, to press his case for a permanent place in the
squad.

And with the likes of Darren Bravo (32 runs), Roston Chase (17) and Shamarh Brooks
(53 runs) all enduring wretched form on the tour of New Zealand last December, the
enterprise of the batsmen on the Bangladesh tour is now expected give selectors
increased options for pending home tours – a fact acknowledged by Sir Curtly.

“Most of these guys are still young and they got an opportunity to impress and they
certainly did that,” said Sir Curtly, a former assistant West Indies coach.

“Now it’s going to make selection extremely difficult come the next series because in my
opinion, some of the guys must play so the guys that did not go Bangladesh, some of
them are going to miss out.

“But the main fact and the great thing about it is that West Indies cricket looks good for
the future.”

Sir Curtly, who featured in a now historic run chase in 1999 when West Indies beat
Australia at Bridgetown thanks to Brian Lara’s unbeaten 153, said the first Test win in
Chattogram had been among the finest of all time.

“It’s right up there – we have to admit that. Some people may say it’s only Bangladesh
but I’m not for that,” Sir Curtly said regarding the fifth highest successful run chase in
history.

“Bangladesh is a quality team, especially in their own backyard and for them to chase
395 on a last day and Kyle Mayers who had a brilliant innings with 200-plus not out … it
was an exceptional performance by him and the whole team.”

West Indies yesterday put themselves in with a great chance to win the second Test in
Dhaka when they piled up 409 in the first innings and then reduced the hosts to 105 for
four at the close.

And Sir Curtly said he believed West Indies needed to play aggressively over the next
three days in order to force a victory.

“We’ve got to push for a win. We’ve already scored more than 400, Bangladesh are just
[105] for four, we should push for a win,” said the Antiguan who snatched 405 wickets
from 98 Tests.

“Bowl them out cheaply and either enforce the follow-on or bat and get some quick runs,
bat them out of the game and look for a win.

“If it doesn’t happen, well it’s ok. We’re one-nil up but we’ve got to push for a win first.”