One-sided games off late have left cricket fans complaining of the game having become boring. Their complaint is not entirely invalid, as New Zealand’s miserable tour of West Indies continues.
Even their sincerest of supporters could not be blamed for slowly losing faith in the team, but the players will be keen to avoid such a fate from happening as they look to reverse the tide in the second ODI on Saturday.
New Zealand got trounced by nine wickets in the opening match, resulting from poor batting under difficult conditions and the bowlers having little to play with.
While the team is missing several of its key frontline players, it could still have done better than 190-9. Martin Guptill, the experienced batsman, holds the key for a turnaround of fortunes. A twist in the tale is also the wish for Kane Williamson who found the experience of becoming the youngest Kiwi captain as bitter.
His team were outplayed in all departments as the bowlers were helpless defending a small total against Chris Gayle.
Another problem surrounding their squad is the injury factor with several injuries. Tom Latham was reported to be nursing an eye injury and could be in serious doubt for the match, should he be needed.
For West Indies, it is a rare moment of comfort in a series that they are enjoying.
Eager to stretch the lead further, they will be hoping for a repeat performance on Saturday. Andre Russell was the pick of the bowlers in the last match with four wickets under conditions offering help, and was also supported by Ravi Rampaul and Sunil Narine.
With the bat, the job was very easily handled by Dwyane Smith and Gayle who both scored powerful half-centuries and will lead the batting effort yet again.
Things could only get more difficult for the Kiwis with the West Indians having tasted blood now. Expect the West Indian top-order to bomb the New Zealand batting yet again, even if they bat first.