The sport of cricket has witnessed numerous extraordinary batting talents throughout the years. While some of these players became true legends, others faded from the spotlight due to poor planning and a tendency to take shortcuts in their pursuit of success, which restricted them to specific areas.
With the emergence of shorter formats of cricket, such as T20 and T10, which offer substantial financial rewards and fame, the current generation finds it irresistible to pursue this shortcut to success.
Nicholas Pooran, a young man from Trinidad and Tobago, exemplifies someone who, despite being endowed with exceptional batting talent, seems reluctant to participate in the most challenging format of the game—Test cricket. However, it is not entirely accurate to conclude that he genuinely does not wish to play Test cricket; rather, the allure of money and fame in the shorter format may be tempting him to choose the easier path.
However, let’s concentrate on what he could genuinely contribute to the West Indies if he decides to participate in all formats of the game, considering that he is currently the top batsman in the Caribbean.
An Ideal #3 In The Test Line-Up
If we think back to the 90s and late 2000s, we can remember players like Lara, Sachin and Ponting who would step up to the crease after an early loss of wickets and quickly assert their dominance over the opposing bowlers with their bold stroke play. Pooran possesses the same talent as these legends of the game, capable of completely transforming a match.
His Wicketkeeping Ability is, redoubtably, an asset to the team
Many teams take the risk of sacrificing a proper wicketkeeper by assigning that role to a batsman who is not a regular keeper, which can sometimes lead to negative consequences.
However, with Pooran also serving as a wicketkeeper in addition to his exceptional batting skills, he becomes a valuable asset. This allows his team to include an extra bowler in Test cricket, which is essential for taking the 20 wickets needed to win a match.
Still Young and Can Serve The Windies Test Team Long
Considering that Pooran is only 29 years old, an age when batsmen typically reach their peak performance, he has the opportunity to grasp the intricacies of Test cricket. This format requires batsmen to work hard to achieve milestones that can significantly impact their team’s chances of winning or drawing a match. With plenty of time ahead of him, if he is genuinely motivated to reflect on his abilities, he can transform his career and establish himself as more than just a T20 star.
Nicholas Pooran’s Game Might Flourish Even More By Playing Tests
Test cricket will require him to be somewhat cautious in his batting approach, which may lead to some setbacks since he is naturally an aggressive batsman. However, these things will encourage him to exercise patience while constructing his innings. This learning process will also benefit him in the shorter formats, where he may occasionally find himself in challenging situations and must act sensibly before seizing opportunities when the pressure eases. Such skills can only be developed through playing test cricket.
High time that Selectors too approach him regarding Test cricket
The selectors of the West Indies should publicly express their desire for players like Nicholas Pooran to be included in the test team squad. This would encourage Nicholas Pooran to realize that even the selectors want him to participate in test cricket, potentially motivating him to focus on playing the longest format of the game.
After discussing Nicholas Pooran’s attitude towards playing test cricket, it ultimately comes down to his own desires and passion for the five-day format. Forcing someone into a role rarely yields significant benefits compared to an individual’s genuine willingness to engage in the task.
However, if the young man from Trinidad wishes to be remembered as a true great of the game, he should inspire himself to participate in all formats, particularly test cricket.
