I am getting a little tired of writing these reports – hence the delay with this report. The match in two lines. India batted first, struggled to score throughout, against good bowling and ended at a miserly 217/7, at least 50 short of a good score. West Indies coasted to 218/4 in 44 overs, to win comprehensively by 6 wickets.

Apart from this match, the batting of the two teams has been at par. The big difference is in the bowling. Apart from the first match, the West Indian bowlers have tied our batsmen down, particularly in the middle and slog overs. In this match, they had them roped throughout.

It is rare for all Indian bowlers to bowl well in tandem. In almost every match, one or two give it away spectacularly. This is why this team just cannot win the world cup. The excellence of the batsmen has covered for the bowlers so far. Now when the batting is not firing, the bowlers are exposed for what they truly are. That Agarkar has been the pick of the bowlers tells it’s own story.

I have said this before, repeatedly, when this team was winning almost every game - the bowling is poor, and needs to improve. Four things define an excellent bowler – consistency, consistency, consistency. The fourth is the ability to bowl the killer ball when the match hangs in the balance – that makes a good bowler excellent.

I am sorry, I cannot say that for any of our bowlers. Agarkar has been miserly and reasonably accurate over the last few games without ever looking like bowling through the side. Bhajji has been economical but lacking in variety, and, therefore, not a threat. He has only contained the batsmen.

Powar had done well so far but the West Indian batsmen have studied his style and have been able to smack him because he lacks variations too. Irfan continues to blow hot and cold. Brilliant some days, pedestrian on others. Sreesanth bowls with heart and fire and I like his attitude. He is difficult to predict, which is good. Unfortunately, along with 3 – 4 good balls, he bowls a ‘hit me’ ball every over. I had expected Munaf to be a potent threat but that hasn’t materialize yet.

Good batting may get us to the semi-finals, at best, in the World Cup, and no further. Top teams like the Aussies and South Africa will slaughter this attack and take our batting out of the equation.

Bhajji and Powar are essentially test bowlers bowling in ODIs. They spin the ball in, from outside the stumps pretty much like they would in tests. In ODIs, bowlers who can spear the ball in at varying pace, and bowl wicket to wicket, are far more successful. The figures of Gayle and Samuels, and the trouble they gave our batsmen bears testimony to that. Needless to say, bowling in ODIs cannot be an extension of one’s test bowling. It is a different kind of skill.

I don’t think Greg plans to do it, but a canny bowling coach is the need of the hour. The BCCI’s coffers should be used to procure one, even if it is a World Cup specific stint.

The batsmen, of course, should have done better. They have played on slow pitches all their lives. Gayle and Samuels are similar to many Sri Lankan and Pakistani slow bowlers this team knows well. Opening with Rahul, long term, is BAD idea – stop it now ( See previous article).

Dhoni has to bat up the order – certainly above Raina and possibly, Kaif. The total would have been higher had he come on earlier in this match. For a team that touts the virtue of experimentation, sending him in at No. 6 was mindless. For a discussion on his batting position, see the comments with the previous article ( Archive - Dream run ends). As it turned out, Dhoni was beginning to cane the bowling when the overs ran out (46 n.o. off 58). What a bloody waste!

I hope Raina is not taking lessons from Sehwag, because he sure is batting like him. I expect Sehwag to play well now, but after another 10 matches!

I do not know about you, but my travel arrangements have been made. I check out and fly home after the semi-finals next year!