It is hard to imagine what is happening behind the scenes with the West Indies team.
Their listless and unimaginative four-wicket loss to India yesterday was a bitter pill to swallow for those of us who watched on.
Are we planning our games? Have we been discussing strategies and adjustments to various situations? And do we try to understand what the opposition is doing whether we are batting, bowling or fielding?
If we do, it was never evident.
From a tactical point of view, we were never competitive, and except for some decent spells from our fast bowlers, and Jason Holder's matured innings, there was nothing that any West Indian fan could feel pleased about.
For one thing, we have a false sense of belief in our batting strength. It is mediocre at best and way below average for a team that was once considered the best in the world.
The worst part is, whatever the situation, it appears that our batters are contented to play the same way, and individual brilliance seems more important that the best interest of the team.
I have said before we are shooting ourselves in the foot when we fail to understand the importance of team.
The number three batsman is our most important batter. It's a pity we lost Darren Bravo but Marlon Samuels is NOT his replacement. Somebody should say why Lendl Simmons, an opening batsman with good form, and a player with the technical ability to handle the ball that is bouncing above waist height and swinging both ways, has not been made to bat at number three.
Samuels will be more at home against a softer ball that is doing a lot less. He and Simmons should switch positions.
I wonder if those so called senior batsmen sat down and looked at young Jason Holder's innings.? His knock was unbelievably mature and sensible, and the more I see of this young man, the more I am beginning to like him.
He understood what was needed and played his role superbly. And to think, that this was someone who was so brutally pounded by AB de Villiers in his last two overs in the tournament. I believe Jason has what it takes to go on to lead the West Indies out of its current dilemma. I wish him well and hope that the WICB treats him with respect and gives him the support that a captain ought to get. He is articulate and will continue to improve.
Unfortunately, he is still learning and hopefully he will get it right tactically. He did not yesterday.
Some of his bowling decisions were not what was required in the situation. I thought he released the pressure on India when they lost their sixth wicket and still needed 50 or so runs to get.
He should have immediately gone to his two main strike bowlers in Kemar Roach and Jerome Taylor to win the game. It was a make or break situation.
The general approach of the team at that point was puzzling to say the least. It was almost as if the players did not think they could win, and just went through the motions. You look at Australia against New Zealand as they defended 151. At no point did they appear complacent or look like they did not think they could win. Their bowlers were backed up by urgency and an intensity on the field that was emphatically absent for the West Indies.
I expect that the management will do their homework and work out in detail just what the team needs to go into the quarterfinals against the UAE.
But yesterday was a golden chance to not place our faith in the hands of others.
Unfortunately, we failed to accept it!