Yesterday's commanding victory by the West Indies to seal the 3 match ODI series 2 - 1 must have been a joy to watch for West Indies fans all over the world. The scenes of jubilation by the players on the field and by West Indians in the crowd demonstrated just how much this win meant.
The 93 run victory marked the first series win for the West Indies in Tests or one day cricket since beating Zimbabwe and India in one day series in the West Indies last year and their first away series win since winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004.
One of the stark differences between the players in the limited overs series and their performances in the Test series must have been the unbridled joy that they showed on the field. To be true, there wasn't much to celebrate in the Test series, losing 0 - 3 with one loss being the largest ever margin of defeat for a West Indies Test team, but there certainly was a noticeable change in the level of energy and passion on display during the Twenty20 and ODI matches. The scenes of joy yesterday certainly capped off months of frustration. The ebullience of Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards and yes even Mr Cool himself, Chris Gayle, were in stark contrast to the almost lack of effort that was seen at times in the Test matches. Why the change?
Some will say that Chris Gayle's leadership style has brought about the difference. They will say that his speaking out about the WICB's bungling had helped to galvanize team morale. That may very well be the case. There may even be some that will go as far as to say that Gayle should be the full time captain of the team. That however, would be going too far, as even Gayle himself has said that Ramnaresh Sarwan should return as full time captain when he has recovered from his shoulder injury. It's debatable as to how much of the turnaround is due to Gayle's leadership, but it must be patently obvious that he and his words in his diary played an important role in boosting the team spirit. He also quite convincingly marshaled his bowlers in the field and certainly went for the jugular when the Windies were on top. It was good to see the Windies on attack when he used two slips early on yesterday as England were chasing a big 290 and by his placing 7 men in the slips cordon when the 9th English wicket fell with England more than a hundred runs away. Daren Ganga's place as vice captain of the Test team may very well come into question with the team's performance under Gayle.
Another reason that has been put forth for the improved play is the lack of fitness of the players. Michael Holding on television commentary and Clive Lloyd on Fridays edition of the Jamaican sports radio programme Sports Grill, pointed out the lack of fitness of the players. Lloyd postulated that one of the reasons that the Windies did so well in last years Champions Trophy was because of the work of former trainer Bryce Cavanaugh. Lloyd went on to say that Cavanaugh's methods were good, but that the players did not appreciate or enjoy following them. Holding during commentary of the final ODI, wondered if the team's lack of fitness led them to pace themselves during the Test matches, not wanting to expend their energies too soon. In the Twenty20 and one day matches they would then be free to "give it their all". This theory could very well explain the dramatic difference in the bowling speeds of Daren Powell in the Tests and ODIs. Would this also explain the dramatic improvement in the fielding of the team in the one dayers as well?
Whatever the reason for the dramatic improvement in the team, the team's performance under Gayle is another nail in the coffin of the almost expired presidency of Ken Gordon. Imagine if he had his way and installed Ganga as captain, side-stepping Gayle?
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