Ravi Rampaul Slams West Indies Quicks’ Day 2 Inconsistency

Ravi Rampaul admits pace attack lacked discipline as Pakistan cruised past 250.

A Frustrating Day

West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul offered little consolation after seeing his team’s pace attack waste a vital opportunity to exploit the pitch on day two in Trinidad. Pakistan had raced to 266 for two by the close, only 78 ahead of their hosts, and Rampaul admitted his bowlers had to be “a little more consistent.”

A Missed Opportunity

Their frustrations were understandable after seeing Pakistan capitalise on early pressure exerted by Shamar Joseph.

The young seamer had removed Imam-ul-Haq inside the first eight overs when the Pakistan opener mistimed a beautifully pitched back-of-a-length delivery from the bowling crease, looping a low catch to gully. Such was the feeling of control in the early exchanges that Rampaul expected more from his quick men as the new ball swung.

Roach Taken Apart

Kemar Roach, the most consistent of the West Indies seamers, was immediately on the back foot when Azan Awais plundered three successive boundaries in the second over of his spell.

Rampaul called upon Roston Chase to turn to his spin bowling options inside four overs as Roach continued to offer scoring opportunities at a poor pace. Joseph had begun proceedings similarly, touching 150kph early on and producing the fastest balls of the series, before a rain delay saw the surface lose some of its shine.

Joseph’s Mixed Bag

He showed moments of genuine tightness in his first over as 150kph was matched by spells of 147, but the same over in which Imam was dismissed saw Awais score four boundaries in a set. For a man of Joseph’s obvious quality, it was a largely disappointing display, one that suggested a bowler of his best could have produced a maiden over.

The Coach’s Verbal

Speaking after the innings, Rampaul was brutally honest about the reasons for his frustration. His men had, in their own innings, scored at a slightly better rate than the three and three-quarter runs per over Pakistan had posted in reply.

Rampaul added that he hoped to see more accuracy from his pace bowling attack this innings if they were to have any chance of winning the match.

Hopes For Days Ahead

He also highlighted the prospect of a spinning ball on day three as an opportunity to test the surface.

In the short term, he knew his seamers would need to improve their line and length if they were to exert the same early pressure on Pakistan’s innings as they had in their own first innings. In the longer term, a deteriorating surface would allow his spinners more purchase.

Pakistan Cash In

In truth, Pakistan did not need to capitalise on the error as the two opening batters stitched together a 168-run stand.

Shafique eventually reached three figures before both he and his partner made scores that would have been the talk of the sport in a lesser contest. Neither man had to make any rash shots as the West Indian seamers repeatedly failed to pitch the ball up.

What Comes Next

It is now up to West Indies to respond to the intervention from their bowling coach. Roach, Joseph, and the rest will have to produce a performance similar to the first Test if they are to have any hope of saving the series.

Rampaul was clearly frustrated by his team’s inability to execute the basics, but his main concern was that they were far from their best. He made it clear the seamers were more than capable of taking wickets and restricting the scoring if they played their part correctly. As it was, the West Indian seam attack had failed to impose itself on the match.