My interest in West Indies cricket is just than, free from insularity and purely as a fan of Cricket. However I think it is only natural you keep a close eye on those you might identify with most.
I have been clear on my views v.v. Baichan.
A century on debut in Pakistan against very good bowling was a bright start and in fact he with the others saved that match for the West Indies.
In 75/76 he was only played in the 6th test when the series had already been lost 4-1 and that was the end of him.
It was not until 78 that Haynes made his debut and that too was that.
A man with a FC average of around 52 at a time when the windies had fast pitches and no shortage of quicks.
It would appear Len was not given a fair run but the weakness in the opening positions 75/76 to 78 did not hamper the Windies steam roller.
He should have had a longer run.
If you compare him with Greenidge who debuted around the same time his average after 7 tests was quite poor.
On that 75-76 series not many of the batsmen did that great. Lloyd 47, Vivian 39, Rowe 25, Kalli 38, Freddo 38 etc.
Leonard Baichan was certainly a very good batsmen indeed.
Ketchim will always go looking for the fulla man cricketer , Bacchus and dem Mohamed boys ,
threw in Baichan as a token[/size]
[/quote] How de hell do you remember a post that I made last year? I cant even remember what I posted last week and in regards to the post you highlighted from me , right beneath is a disclaimer that I was kidding,
to the post you highlighted from me , right beneath is a disclaimer that I was kidding,
[/quote]
yeah , yeah ....but the disclaimer dont make the thread Juicy ::LOL::
[quote author=Kwami link=topic=62632.msg393427#msg393427 date=1327616761]
[size=10pt]
only kiddin , saw dem playing in Berbice , great talent[/size]
[/quote]
This is my take on Baichan
The politics of the time must be taken under consideration . Guyana was under dictatorship where I Indians were suffering . Indians were also being marginalized in Trinidad and the thread then that binds the Caribbean in some way was cricket . Leonard Baichan was having great successes in regional cricket and couldn't be ignored and so they took him to the sub continent where he had success but failed in the subsequent Australian tour.
He was not really wanted on the team by the establishment and they were hoping that he fails so that he would be replaced by a black player .
They had their wish when Baichan failed in Australia and so ended his international career .
An all black team did eventually happen with the departure of Kanhai , bacchus and Kali and the rest as they say is history
Leonard Baichan, - a 'good' defense - that's all he had 'defense' I saw that man 'poke' ball for 2 days at rose hall and score 48. In those days of WI cricket he was indeed a misfit, alongside the present crop of WI 'Natural Born Losers' He -Leonard Baichan- would be a Hero.
[quote author=Congo_Man link=topic=62518.msg565123#msg565123 date=1400961091]
Leonard Baichan, - a 'good' defense - that's all he had 'defense' I saw that man 'poke' ball for 2 days at rose hall and score 48. In those days of WI cricket he was indeed a misfit, alongside the present crop of WI 'Natural Born Losers' He -Leonard Baichan- would be a Hero.
[/quote] Baichan was unfortunate to have been born in the westindies .
Had he playing for another test team , he would have been a superstar probably playing for 15 years .
I know that we in berbice always hope that he gets out out quickly so that a flashy batsman would come to the crease.
Looking back I realize that Baichan was before his time for he gives a premium on his wicket .
In those days we only get excited by the swashbuckling type of batting
The discarding of Baichan without any major failures is debatable and a number of reasons could be advanced such as his slowness, a kind of lacklustre approach in the field, and his suspicion of the short pitch delivery that did not find favour with the selectors. There is even the argument that too many Guyanese were in the side, since nearly half of the players in the West Indies were from Guyana in the mid ’70s. However, in a consistent and successful run that lasted more than five years in the regional tournament he could be considered unlucky not to have played more Test matches.
There is even the argument that too many Guyanese were in the side, since nearly half of the players in the West Indies were from Guyana in the mid ’70s.
[/quote]
]http://www.westindiesforum.com/Smileys/forum/wink.png[/img] 