da winzada777： Signs of progress were tempered by the same old inconsistencies for the WestIndies in 2002
Sean Beynon05-Jan-2003Signs of progress were tempered by the same old inconsistencies for the WestIndies in 2002. A clutch of young players – Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan,Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Lawson – shone with outstanding individual efforts. These performances were sporadic though, and the team was typically poor away from home, save a rousing ODI series win in India. There is still some way to go though for Carl Hooper’s men to return to the glory days of old.The year began in a soulless Sharjah, with a short series with Pakistan thatgave no indication that West Indies woeful away form would improve. Ahammering in the first Test was followed by an even heavier defeat in thesecond. No less than eight fifties were scored by West Indian batsmen in theseries, with none converted to centuries. Coupled with lacklustre bowling,the visitors were no match for a rampant Pakistan. There was little to notein an unsuccessful one day series, with the only highlight a dazzlingcentury from Hooper in the third game.Back in Guyana, Hooper was being signalling his intentions in the Testseries with India. He made 233 in the first Test, with fellow countrymanShivnarine Chanderpaul hitting a big century in a tepid draw. The seriescame alive in Trinidad, as half-centuries from Chanderpaul and Chris Gayleforced India to sweat their way to a 37 run win. Hooper and Chanderpaul wereagain in the runs at Barbados, with Merv Dillon’s eight wickets squaring theseries. Antigua was another run-feast, as Ridley Jacobs, alongside theever-present Hooper and Chanderpaul reached centuries in the dullest ofdraws. To Kingston, where a Wavell Hinds century set up the game, andaccurate bowling from Dillon and Pedro Collins bought the home side awelcome series victory.India took revenge in the one-dayers, winning 2-1 after the first two matches were washed out.Despite victory in the one-day series, the Test matches with New Zealandwere to be a tougher prospect altogether. Shane Bond was in the wickets asthe home side were routed in the first Test, while Gayle showed hispotential to hit a flawless double hundred in the drawn Grenada Test.Most of the squad took advantage of a two month break, but Gayle headed off tothe A team tour of England, where he shone in a frequently shambolic trip.Discipline was poor, with Runako Morton, Suliemann Benn and Tino Best finedfor bad behaviour. Morton would later be suspended for a year after leavingthe ICC Trophy in Sri Lanka claiming his grandmother had passed away. Shehad, but Morton’s grief was delayed to say the least, for the woman had beendead for 16 years.West Indies hopes of progressing in the ICC Champions Trophy were halted bySouth Africa, who took a last ball thriller. The disappointment wascompounded by the news that Brian Lara – who had looked ill despite asublime century against Kenya – had contracted hepatitis and would miss thetour to India.The visitors were never given a chance, and the Indians were soon settingabout settling scores from the series in the Caribbean. Despite a solideffort with the ball from Dillon, India battled past 450, and skittled WestIndies for under 200 twice to earn an innings victory. Furtherdisappointment followed in Chennai, and it was not until Kolkata that Indiawere challenged. Centuries for Chanderpaul, Wavell Hinds, and a first Testton for Samuels were enough for a first innings lead. Four quick wicketslooked to have West Indies in the box seat, but a 200 run partnershipbetween Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman ensured a draw.A thrilling ODI series was studded with three Gayle centuries. Level at 3-3, West Indies took the series in Vijayawada thanks to a brilliant 108 (from just 75 balls) from Samuels.Bangladesh was never going to prove a problem for the West Indies, Sarwan’sfirst ODI century the highlight of a 2-0 victory. He completed his firstTest ton a week later, but it was a young fast bowler who would steal theheadlines. Jermaine Lawson devastated the Bangladesh second innings with sixwickets for three runs in an innings win. He has pace, and could provide theaggression West Indies desperately need. The series was wrapped up with aseven wicket win at Dhaka, a simple but satisfactory accomplishment.There were no surprises in a World Cup squad which seemed to pick itself. Indomestic cricket, Barbados beat Jamaica to claim the Red Stripe Bowl.Earlier in the year Jamaica had won the Busta Cup, but were defeated byGuyana in the Busta International Shield.The year was not without sadness. The Jamaican all-rounder Laurie Williams was killed in a car-crash in September. He played fifteen ODIs, and was just 33 years old.West Indies face a tough year in 2003. Immediately after the World Cup, theyhost Australia and Bangladesh. After what should be a successful visit toZimbabwe, they finish the year in South Africa, where they were thrashed 5-0 last year. West Indies currently sit at seventh in the ICC Test Championship, and will do well to improve in 2003.