Tony Becca, Senior Sport Editor
ONE DOWN out of one in a triangular series, in which the teams play each other three times and in which the top two contest the final, is not a desperate situation. In fact, neither is two down from two.
The West Indies, however, do not want to fall to two down from two in the NatWest triangular one-day series, and after losing the opening match of the tournament to Zimbabwe under lights at Gloucestershire's Nevil Road on Thursday, they are hoping to win their second match by beating England at Lord's.
That, however, will not be easy. In fact, unless their bowlers improve a whole lot on their performance at Nevil Road when they lost by six wickets with five overs to spare, the West Indies may be in for a rough day at Lord's.
With Curtly Ambrose taking a rest and out of the tournament, with Courtney Walsh nursing an aching foot and out of action, the West Indies bowling against Zimbabwe was poor. The bowlers, all of them, bowled too short or at a nice, juicy half-volley length, they were too wayward in direction, the batsmen enjoyed themselves, and if there is no improvement, England's batsmen will also enjoy themselves.
"Something is wrong. I don't know what it is, but we have to find it and deal with it," said a disappointed captain James Adams yesterday morning.
"Curtly and Courtney won't be around forever. We have to accept that. For better or worse, we have got to get used to not having them around. We have to look at what we are going to do without them. If we continue like this, we won't be able to compete - neither in the one-dayers nor in Tests."
Like the past West Indies stars present on Thursday evening, Adams lamented the lack of consistency of his fast bowlers.
"The umbrella of Curtly and Courtney won't be around for ever, and if the bowlers can't hit the spot two or three times in an over, we are in trouble."
Adams, however, believe they can do it.
"We have played without Curtly and Courtney, and the bowlers have done well. They have to perform consistently, however, and not just once in a while.
"They have to step up to the plate and perform regularly."
Will they step up and perform today? Only time will tell.
This time, however, they could have some help. Adams is hoping Walsh will be fit enough to play, and chances are that Corey Collymore, who was omitted in favour of Reon King at the last minute on Thursday, will be in the line-up.
For the other two, they can draw straws.
