Phil Simmons, West Indies’ head coach, has said his bowlers have done well to keep India’s batsmen quiet on day two of the Sabina Park Test. India, 126 for 1 overnight, went to stumps 358 for 5, with a lead of 162.
He says his bowlers were learning to be patient. I think they learned today what we have been talking about for the last six months, about being patient in Test cricket. And when the wicket isn’t assisting like this one, you have to be patient and then the pressure that you build from patience will get you wickets. I think what I have learned that they are listening sometimes. I hope they are listening all the time. They are seeking patience now, they are trying to hold these world-class batsmen [back].”
Midway through the day, the debutant fast bowler Miguel Cummins pulled up after bowling a wide in his 16th over of the innings, and went off the field clutching the back of his thigh. Simmons said Cummins had suffered from cramps, and hoped he would be fit to resume bowling on the third day.
“He had a lot of cramps today,” Simmons said. “I can’t tell you why because I’m not a doctor. But yeah, we basically played with two quicks today. Hopefully he will be better tomorrow and do his job.”
When the second new ball became available, India had a new batsman at the crease in Kohli, but West Indies chose not to take it immediately, instead waiting until the start of the post-tea session, by which time 11 more overs had elapsed.
Asked about this, Simmons’ response was terse. “I haven’t spoken with the captain, so I don’t know.”
Jason Holder, the captain, had chosen to bat despite the first-day pitch sporting a fair covering of grass and looking like it was moist underneath. Simmons said he had made the right decision, and the batsmen had failed to do their job.
“Batsmen are supposed to bat,” he said. “I didn’t think there was any threat in the wicket yesterday. So I would bat first again.”
“We have to come tomorrow morning (today) again and work hard to try and get the remaining wickets that we have to get, and then the batsmen have got to stand up. The bowlers have stood up today (yesterday) and hopefully they come and stand up tomorrow morning again, but it is up to the batsmen to come and stand up now,” Simmons noted.
