Have faith in the West Indies

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I’ve seen enough in that warm-up game against the Cricket Australia eleven to believe we can put Australia to the sword. It’s unfortunate that Jayden Seales isn’t available, because he would thrive in those conditions, and his raw pace is exactly the counter to Mitchell Starc; get well soon, bro. However, we’ve got Shamar Joseph, and he is fast and raw. Akeem Jordan is the ideal line and length medium-fast bowler to replace Holder. The deserves his opportunity, and the experienced Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph have to tear their top order apart.

I believe Kevin Sinclair and Gudakesh Motie should both make the starting eleven, as they are the counter to Lyon and they can share the workload; and Sinclair and Alzarri Joseph can give us that batting depth. As for runs, our top order has got to weather the new ball, and the experienced Kraigg Braithwaite knows that better than anybody else, he has to bat deep into the innings. Tagenarine Chanderpaul has to take a chapter out his dad’s book. The experienced Joshua Da Silva, Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze need to toil for their runs and convert their starts to big scores, because we need mammoth scores against Australia.

That’s where WI are best, pressure off. We are underdogs and written off before the series even starts; therefore, the element of surprise is our weapon. WI have nothing to lose; match them man for man, and don’t be intimidated by pale, freckled skin and blue eyes. I urge the Caribbean, have faith in the West Indies, we can win in Australia!

KENDELL KARAN

Chaguanas

Trinidad and Tobago