‘It’s simply extra intent’ – hit-the-deck Romario makes a placing impression
Romario Shepherd was named after the Brazilian footballer, one the best strikers in that sport. Shepherd was born in Linden, the place soccer – or monitor and area – is arguably extra in style than cricket, however he took to cricket. Tall, robust and muscular, Shepherd towered over different boys throughout age-group and regional cricket. He has a giant presence within the center and there are not any half-measures with him. He was all the time meant to be a cricket allrounder.
On Saturday, Shepherd towered over India’s IPL stars, taking career-best ODI figures of three for 37. He took out Ishan Kishan, India’s new No. 4 Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja to assist dismiss India for 181 and style West Indies’ first ODI win in opposition to India in almost four years. India have been with out their common captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been each rested, however nonetheless, Shepherd’s spell was a big step in his progress.
Shepherd has performed 24 ODIs – and T20 cricket all around the globe – however in style opinion is that he leaks straightforward runs, as his T20 financial system charge of 9.08 confirms. His List A financial system charge of 5.49 is extra acceptable, and although Jason Holder can be susceptible to leaking runs on the loss of life, he provides West Indies better management within the powerplay and center overs. In the absence of Holder, who has made himself unavailable for the ODI sequence in opposition to India, Shepherd married his hit-the-deck hustle with management and proved that he may do the job in pretty useful situations.
Odean Smith was West Indies’ hit-the-deck possibility in opposition to UAE in Sharjah, however Shepherd is far taller than him and kilos the deck even tougher. Keemo Paul had lately performed for West Indies within the World Cup Qualifier and the Emirates, however he’s extra identified for his new-ball expertise and slower variations on the loss of life.
The Barbados pitch for the second ODI on Saturday was a used one, however Shepherd nonetheless generated sufficient tempo and bounce to depart India shaken. When Shepherd was referred to as into the assault, Kishan was already in his shot-making groove after which obtained 4 extra when he chopped Shepherd between backward level and deep third. Two authorized balls later, Shepherd bowled an analogous brief ball, however this skidded on to the bat and had Kishan splicing a catch to backward level, the place Alick Athanaze leapt to his proper to finish a spectacular catch.
Then, in his subsequent over, Shepherd dug the ball in even shorter and created a sharper angle from across the wicket to finish Axar’s promotion after eight balls. Axar had tried to sway his higher physique inside the road and drop his gloves, however Shepherd rushed him and cramped him. Shepherd proceeded to bounce Jadeja out, too, and injury India even additional.
“It was just more intent,” Shepherd mentioned after the innings. “I just tried to run in hard and hit the pitch because when you hit the wicket, you get something out of it. So, that was in my bowling plan and especially to some of the Indian batsmen, I don’t want to get too full to them. When I came in, I got a wicket and set the tone. Basically, the guys started to push a bit and then we get another wicket that put pressure back on them.”
The previous few weeks have been significantly grim for West Indies cricket, beginning with the failure to qualify for the 50-over World Cup for the primary time. Then within the ODI sequence opener in opposition to India, West Indies folded in 23.2 overs – their second-shortest completed innings within the format.
Shepherd toasted West Indies’ fightback and his personal spell within the second ODI.
“It’s a big job from me,” Shepherd mentioned after West Indies received by six wickets. “Basically, against a big team like India… it doesn’t matter whatever team they put out on paper, India always have some great batsmen in their line-up. So, to get my best figures against India was a great feeling for me.”
The problem will solely get stiffer for West Indies’ assault because the monitor in Trinidad for the third ODI may not supply as a lot help to the bowlers. Plus, Rohit and Kohli will probably return for India, with the sequence on the road.
“I think our bowling is the side we need to work on a bit more, especially because it’s going to be a batting wicket there in Trinidad, so whoever bowls well is going to get the victory,” Shepherd mentioned. “In Trinidad, the wicket is flat and there is nothing in it for the bowlers and we’re expecting a great game.”
In such situations, West Indies will want Shepherd, the six-hitter, to show up as properly, if they’re to shock India as soon as once more.
Deivarayan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo