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Marks out of Ten - West Indies
Bravo and Ramdin provide the hope
Peter English
November 29, 2005
Despite the one-sided result, West Indies will be pleased with the performances of some of the young players, particularly the allrounder Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin, their wicketkeeper. However, they desperately needed more runs from their senior batsmen.
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Dwayne Bravo gave West Indies some much-needed spark in the final two Tests
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8 Dwayne Bravo
The find of the series. Somehow missed the first Test, but showed his all-round value and starred over the next two weeks. Posted his second Test century with a clever and patient 113 to avoid another team embarrassment at Hobart, and showed his bowling capabilities at Adelaide with 6 for 84, including a brilliant caught-and-bowled to dismiss Shane Warne. Chipped in with 64 in the second innings and injured his thigh, the only thing that could slow him down.
7 Denesh Ramdin
An impressive 20-year-old who made a big impact with his calm batting and keeping. Stood out with 71 as part of a 182-run stand with Bravo at Hobart and three more starts earned him an average of 34.20. A lack of chances restricted him to six catches, although he spilled an easy chance off Adam Gilchrist at Adelaide, but he can be proud of out-scoring his opposite number.
7 Brian Lara
Took the world run-scoring record at Adelaide with 226, an innings that included splashes of sparkles and hours of hard work. Deserved the chance to thrive after suffering two wrong decisions and a doubtful one in his first three innings. Played his final Test in Australia and waved goodbye for 17 after falling to an amazing catch from Matthew Hayden.
5.5 Corey Collymore
West Indies' most economical bowler and the leader of the attack who regularly tied down his opponents. Began the series with 4 for 72 and quickly asked for more support from his bowling team-mates. They improved as the series continued and Collymore deserved his eight wickets.
5 Fidel Edwards
Fast and mostly expensive, he made some batsmen jump and picked up at least two wickets in each first innings. However, his two three-fors leaked more than 100 runs and he was unable to make any impact when Australia batted a second time.
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Chris Gayle needed heart surgery after the second Test
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5 Ramnaresh Sarwan
Performed better than on his first tour in Australia, when he made only 54 runs in six innings with three ducks, but was outclassed again and couldn't restrict his big shots. Worked hard over 31 off 92 balls in Brisbane and found his feet with a bright 62 in the final innings at Adelaide before being cut down by a poor umpiring decision. West Indies need more from their vice-captain if he is to remain at No. 3.
5 Chris Gayle
Created the most sensational news of the series when revealing he needed heart surgery. However, the procedure was minor and he was recovering by the time of the third Test. Retired hurt with an irregular heartbeat on his way to 56 at Bellerive Oval and left his mark by pounding two brutal sixes off Glenn McGrath at the Gabba. Took three wickets with his offspin.
4 Devon Smith
Started the series in aggressive style and provided the side's only first-innings resistance with 88. Will have nightmares about facing Brett Lee, who dismissed him four times, and Glenn McGrath as he finished with scores of 3, 4, 8, 7 and 0.
4 Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Uninspiring with the bat, he scored only 87 runs at 14.5 and made some confusing decisions with bowling changes. Can be satisfied with the way the team rallied after the 379-run defeat to push the final Tests into five days, and should do better than Jimmy Adams, who was sacked after losing 5-0 in 2000-01.
3.5 Daren Powell
Added only two wickets to his three at Brisbane and finished with an average of 76.40. Was hit for a huge six by Brett Lee that cleared the Gabba, although he knocked him over next delivery with a replacement ball.
3 Marlon Samuels
Threatened great things with a double-century in the warm-up against Queensland but didn't manage anything of substance in his two Tests. Suffered a knee injury at Hobart and went home early with a top score of 29.
1.5 Jermaine Lawson
Came back from heel surgery too soon and laboured in his only match of the series. Bowled 14 no-balls and returned figures of 0 for 47 off 6 overs and 1 for 73 from 14.
1.5 Dwayne Smith
Called up for the third Test, he scored 14 (hit a nice six) and 0 (horrible decision), and dismissed Glenn McGrath.
1.5 Wavell Hinds
Broke a finger in the warm-up game in Queensland and came in for Gayle at Adelaide, where he made 10 and 15 and bowled nine overs.
Peter English is the Australasian editor of Cricinfo
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