Batting for long periods key in England- Lloyd

By Avenash Ramzan

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd believes West Indies batsmen must exhibit a penchant to bat for long periods if they are to really challenge England in the upcoming three Test matches.

Speaking this week on Mason and Guest Radio Show in Barbados, Lloyd touched on the need for batsmen to step up and make their mark on the series.

While the bowling department, led by a fast bowling resurgence, has been holding its own in recent series, and was crucial in West Indies convincingly winning the Wisden Trophy in the Caribbean in 2019, it is the batting that has come under scrutiny.

That reality has not escaped former captain Lloyd, who made it known that the onus is on the batsmen to deliver if the West Indies are to really test the Englishmen in the series.

“If they can get 300-odd runs in any innings of those Test matches, we have the bowlers to put them in a position (to do well). We have about nine batters who can hold their own, our bowlers can bat. If we can get 250 (from the top-order) and a 100 and something from our lower-order batsmen we will be in the game,” Lloyd, West Indies most successful Test captain, articulated.

“Our main thing is concentration; we have to concentrate and concentrate for periods, for long periods because England have got four fast bowlers too and they are pretty good playing at home.”

Interestingly enough, West Indies batsmen have generally struggled in England over the last decade and a half. In 21 Test matches since 1995, West Indies have won just two games.

In 40 innings during that period, West Indies have scored five totals over 400, nine above 300 and a whopping 16 under 200, four of which came in six innings in the last series in 2017.

West Indies last won a series in England in 1988, with their best series result since then being 2-2 draws in 1991 and 1995.

The first of three Test matches in a bio-secure environment, behind closed doors is on July 8 at the Ageas Bowl.