LONG BEFORE THE final nail was driven into the West Indies' coffin at Sabina Park on Sunday the regional team was already dying a slow death in the first Test against England.
Extras, byes - seven, leg byes - 28, wides - seven and no-balls - 18, totalled 60, the top score in England's first innings of 339 all out.
The total reflected the indiscipline of the West Indies' bowling. Pacers Fidel Edwards and Tino Best did rattle the nerves of a few of the English batsmen but their inconsistency in line and constant overstepping more than ensured that England got a lead on the third day.
The West Indies' problems also began with their team selection. To my mind Ricardo Powell who has only played one Test has done nothing recently to be included in a West Indies Test batting line-up. In addition fast bowler Adam Sanford was so unimpressive on the recent tour of southern Africa it was surprising that he was recalled so quickly to the West Indies eleven.
Fitness
In additon to the above there appears to be a lack of preparation, fitness and intensity among members of the team. Players are constantly getting injuries, suggesting a lack of full fitness.
Looking from a distance there seems to be a free-for-all in bowling tactics. There is a bowling coach but the young fastmen are unable to produce more than one good spell during a match or bowl a consistent line for an extended period.
One does not expect any of these bowlers to become a Courtney Walsh or Curtly Ambrose overnight but at least they can be taught to bowl on one side of the wicket instead of sending down several loose deliveries during a spell and adding to the extras.
Overdependence
Like the bowlers, the batsmen suffer from a lack of application. There remains an overdependence on the batting of captain Brian Lara. Lara had a very good year in 2003 but as great as he is that cannot continue indefinitely. Many of the disgruntled fans who left Sabina Park following Sunday's defeat would have been appeased if the West Indies had put up a struggle, even if they eventually lost by a wide margin.
It's now water under the bridge but the regional administrators must take some of the blame for the current problems of the regional team. When things were going well there was little or no planning for the future as most people felt that great players would continue to be developed annually. There is now a cricket academy but it will take some time before the talent can be channelled in the right direction.
Based on what happened at Sabina Park I do not expect the West Indies to recover to even draw this series. There is a certain sameness about the bowling and even if the batsmen did come good in one or more innings the West Indies do not have anybody in their attack to dismiss England twice.
