SIR VIVIAN RICHARDS: Batsmen scaling new heights

In a tall chase such as this, there is a method that needs to be followed. They went too hard too early in their innings. Gayle did what he can do, struggling with his back injury. It was a serious handicap that he was not able to rotate the strike and it hampers the innings when you can only hit big and not run the hard runs. It is not only about hitting fours and sixes, but also about converting ones into twos and twos into threes. Rotation of strike was lost because of Gayle’s injury, and after both his and Samuels’ dismissal, the match was a lost cause.

To sum up West Indies’ tournament then, no one gave them an outside chance of reaching the knock-out stage, more so after their loss to Ireland in the opening game. But they made use of this opportunity to prove everyone wrong and played collectively to come this far. It should act as a boost for them in future and they need to understand that a loss can be used for positives too. They should learn to build a team for the next ICC Cricket World Cup in four years’ time, and their aim should be to go a long way into the knock-outs then.

I believe Jason Holder has proved to be a good leader, and I see no reason for West Indies to opt for another captain. At some stages, his inexperience showed but he will gradually learn with time. Also, at other times, some senior players did not give him their full support. This is something I would like to see as he leads the team going forward. Everyone involved should support him and help build a better team.

Support not only the captain but the new coach, Phil Simmons, as well. I hope he gets the backing of players, selectors and the West Indies Cricket Board, and nobody interferes with the things that need to be done. He should be given all the right tools that help him make the right decisions for the good of West Indies’ cricket.