Clive Lloyd was wearing green and not maroon to start with for West Indies’ match against South Africa. Clive Lloyd answered with a big smile when asked so, saying that he hopes not wearing maroon changes luck which however did not change as the West Indies put on yet another meek performance, and are staring at an early exit from the T20 World Cup 2021.

With a team full of match winners and franchise stars of the caliber of Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard, it is baffling to see them not stand up to the World Cup test. The 2016 T20I World Cup defending champions have lost all 4 matches in the UAE including the warm-up fixtures.

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd (Photo- Getty)

Clive Lloyd: West Indies Played Poor Cricket And Poor Shots At The Wrong Time Cost Windies Dear

Clive Lloyd is hugely disappointed as West Indies played poorly throwing their wickets away by playing poor shots at the wrong time as was evident after being bundled for 55 against England and finishing on 143/8 which wasn’t a par score. Lendl Simmons was the one to be blamed as he faced 35 balls – of which he attacked just five, including the one-off which he was bowled for 16. Nineteen of his 35 balls were dots and all of his 16 runs came via singles.

“We have played some poor cricket. We should have scored 165 against South Africa to be able to challenge them. Yet again some poor shots at the wrong time cost us dear. The first match was dismal and one would have thought we would pick ourselves up in the next game but that too did not happen. Now we have to win all we can and hope some other results go our way to have a chance in the World Cup. Frankly, as defending champions, this was a very ordinary performance, ” said Clive Lloyd on West Indies putting another dismal performance.

West Indies opener Lendl Simmons suffered an afternoon of horror with the bat [Source: ICC]

“Everything (laughs). You see you have to take a lot of pride when you play for the national team. You are the select few who get this opportunity. And when it is the World Cup it is about that ultimate mantle. World Champion. You can hold that trophy and tell the world that you are the best team in the world. The entire world. That’s why you play this sport and we played this sport, ” said Clive Lloyd

Of batters who’ve faced 35 balls or more in the history of T20I cricket, this was the second slowest innings of all time. Lendl Simmons had a strike rate of 45.71 in his 16 off 35 balls.

Clive Lloyd: West Indies Made Basic Mistakes In Both Games

Lendl Simmons failed to hit a single six or boundary and it’s unbelievable to imagine how his opening partner Evin Lewis smashed a 35-ball 56 from the other end.

Opener Evin Lewis struck a fine half-century before South Africa restricted West Indies to 143/8. In response, South African batters overhauled the target with 10 balls to spare. Rassie van der Dussen (43 not out), Aiden Markram (51 not out), and Reeza Hendricks (39) played match-winning knocks as West Indies bowlers looked on helplessly.

Evin Lewis unbelievably brought up his half-century in just 32 deliveries when his opening partner struggled even to get going [Source: ICC]

“It is more than life and death you see. I want these boys to believe they too can experience this. Be a world champion. Unless that happens you will fall short. The hunger has to be of a very different level. That’s what brings out the best in you. That’s when you fight for the last run and the last ball, ” said Clive Lloyd

” Nothing else matters and nothing should matter to these boys except the dream of becoming world champion. No pain, no injury, nothing. Just pursue this dream. We have made basic mistakes in both games. When you have hit two boundaries you don’t need to play another fancy shot in the next ball. Just do the basics right. That’s what has been lacking, ” said Clive Lloyd

After being handed two thrashings, first against England (6-wicket loss) and then to South Africa (8-wicket loss), West Indies face the uphill task of staying in contention for a semifinal spot in the T20 World Cup 2021. Apart from their loss against England and Proteas, West Indies suffered reversals in both their warm-up encounters as well, losing to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Against England, West Indies lost nine of their 10 wickets, looking to hit a four or a six, while 59 of the 86 balls they faced were dots, and they did not attempt to rebuild after losing early wickets. Lendl Simmons (3), Evin Lewis (6), Shimron Hetmyer (9), Dwayne Bravo (5), Nicholas Pooran (1), Kieron Pollard (6), and Andre Russell (0) didn’t contribute much with the bat. Chris Gayle ended as the top scorer for West Indies with 13 runs off 13 balls.

Brief Scores:

West Indies: 143 for 8 in 20 overs (Evin Lewis 56, Kieron Pollard 26); Dwaine Pretorius (3/17) Keshav Maharaj (2/24). South Africa: 144 for 2 in 18.2 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 43, Aiden Markram 52; Akeal Hosein 1/27)