Lara’s Call To Field Baffling

Strange, the most astute of cricket minds stop working at the most critical moments. Brian Lara's captaincy continues to be adamant. He has been hell bent on proving his own theory rather than think on what will help his side to win.

With the batting form the top-order has been before this match, the decision to chase against a strong fielding side was fool hardy. Bowling is not the host's strong point either so to insert the Proteas was a long way off from logic.

Lara had his best chance to rattle a score in excess of 270 and put the pressure on the visitors as the match held as much significance for them after the loss to Bangladesh, hence the chase would have not been that comfy.

There were too many glaring mistakes on the field. The timing of the third power play allowed the opponents too many free hits that took the game away from the West Indians. Stretching the power play to the 44 ^th over was not the solution. If wickets had been taken at regular intervals it could have been a different tale. But when there was nothing much the bowling could do, the power play should have been utilized before the batsmen had shifted to top gear.

The rampage from the 39^th over onwards showed West Indies in poor light. The body language had a sign of resignation throughout that period and there was a stage when the hosts just wanted to finish the quota and get back to the hut, there was no intensity or purpose.

Having put 350 plus on the board and gotten rid of three batsmen before the 15^th over the script was clear. Even though there was an attempt to make a match of it the task was well beyond them. Chris Gayle and Lara had to fire and sadly that did not happen and West Indies had to exit another World Cup without making the knockouts.

The match today is crucial to England and if the reports of a slow wicket are true Bangladesh would certainly fancy their chances. The advantage the Asian team has is they can approach the match with no holds barred. They have already exceeded expectations in this tournament and anything from now would only be an added bonus.

England should be wary of a spin attack that is proving to be adept at controlling the run rate well. If England are to chase a score in excess of 240, they would have their hands full. The two totally different styles is bound to throw a interesting duel.