Last week I was rather rude about both the West Indies and New Zealand, both of whom have been doing their best to make me look stupid ever since. Time may yet prove me right, but for the time being we should celebrate two contrasting renaissances.
New Zealand could have given up after the earthquake in Christchurch and, more prosaically, their dismal performance against Australia, but their comprehensive defeat of Zimbabwe showed a mental strength and professionalism that suggested that they may yet have a say in the tournament’s latter stages. Zimbabwe, after all, are no mugs and to beat them by ten wickets is impressive. Bigger tests await, but they are doing a good job of swatting aside the weaker sides in the group. Their games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be interesting.
In Group B, meanwhile, the West Indies, inspired by Kemar Roach, have been turning back the clock. There is something of Malcolm Marshall about Roach’s approach and delivery and he generates impressive speed through the air which, coupled with his penchant for the yorker, makes him quite a handful. Sulieman Benn and Darren Sammy have also bowled well, especially in the rout of Bangladesh, and while the batting still looks vulnerable to good bowling attacks, there is evidence that Chris Gayle has re-discovered his formidable mojo. The remaining games will present bigger tests than the Netherlands and Bangladesh but they should, contrary to my prediction, qualify for the quarter finals and then anything is possible. The next few weeks could be pivotal in the short term development of West Indian cricket.
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