By Neto Baptiste
Bowlers should be given the benefit of the doubt whenever discussions regarding fielding changes and or settings are concerned.
This is the view of legendary West Indies batsman and former captain, Sir Vivian Richards, who said that during his tenure as leader of the regional squad from 1985 to 1991, when he played alongside fast bowlers like Malcolm Marshall, Courtney Walsh, Sir Curtly Ambrose and Patrick Patterson, he always gave them the benefit of the doubt.
“When you trust your bowler enough, you go and have a discussion with him as to what he would like and he’s telling you exactly what he wants to get done, so you give him support as a captain. If you see that after that particular support where you would have had an offside field and you’re looking to trap this guy [batsman] in the slips by him making a far shot outside the off stump, then you need that particular line.
“All of a sudden, you have this field set and he [bowler] keeps getting clipped into the onside for four about three times in that particular over, then you maybe go up to him and ask if he needs a little bit more cover or whatever the case is; that’s the way I think it goes,” he said.
Sir Viv, one of the most successful captains in Test cricket history having led the team for 50 Tests without losing a series, was responding to questions regarding a recent on-field disagreement between fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and captain, Shai Hope during the third One Day International against England.
Should things not pan out following the requested change, Sir Viv said the captain is then within his rights to make whatever adjustments he sees fit.
“If things are not working out to plan in terms of what he [bowler] asked for, then the captain has a right to make his necessary adjustment and to do his thing. The first thing is to ask the bowler what field he would like and you give him that. But if he is failing in that particular department where he’s not getting the ball in place with the field setting, then you have a discussion because if runs are pouring then you need to plug that gap,” he said.
The incident occurred in the fourth over of England’s innings when Joseph appeared visibly upset over the field placements set by Hope. After bowling the first ball, he expressed his displeasure to Hope and other fielders, including the two slips in place.
Frustrated, Joseph continued to exchange words with his captain as he delivered a fierce bouncer, dismissing English batsman Jordan Cox. Despite his success in the over, Joseph refused to celebrate the wicket and, visibly upset, walked off the field to the dressing room.
Cricket West Indies later handed Joseph a two-match suspension.
