Fallen hero Mikyle Louis had a bad day at the wicket on Day 2 of the Test series against Australia. Louis entered to bat with England on 36-5, following the loss of the openers. His performance was immediately second-guessed when he succumbed to a puzzling offer that sent him packing. This match ushered in a difficult tournament for the West Indies. Their innings completely fell away from a strong position of 4-95 to 143 all out.
Louis made a second comeback as an opener, initially replacing Kraigg Brathwaite. He never was able to regain his footing after losing his natural position due to a knee injury. Former Australian wicketkeeper and TV commentator Brad Haddin labelled his dismissal an “absolute brain explosion.” Neither fans nor commentators knew what to make of the moment.
An Unexpected Dismissal
Mikyle Louis sets up for a missed shot late in the first half. It’s the kind of move you’d expect from a last-wicket cricketer, not from a player of his abilities. Having already cleared the ropes on one occasion after facing only 30 balls, he clearly had plans to go big. Instead, he departed trying to hoick a delivery that just as unexpectedly exploded through his off stump.
“That is an ugly shot. That is a very disappointing shot. A hoick out of nowhere by Mikyle Louis.” – Ian Bishop
Ian Bishop further criticized the shot, emphasizing that it was not reflective of Louis’s usual style or ability:
“It was a shot you’d expect a number 11 to play, not Mikyle Louis.” – Ian Bishop
The West Indies continued to show hunger to capitalize on their first innings. For one, they still felt the intensity of Kevlon Anderson’s funeral—the pressure it placed on Anderson’s mother and by extension, her friends, family, and hometown.
A Collapsing Innings
The West Indies batting order was up against it from the very first ball of their innings. With Louis’s exit, the Professional team folded under the onslaught of evasive emoji bowling, resulting in a rapid collapse and a quick end to their innings. The drop from 4-95 to completely all out for 143 showed just how tenuous that batting line-up was.
Greg Blewett noted the missed opportunity for the West Indies, stating, “That was, I think, the best batting conditions we’ve seen all series. In my mind, that was a really weak performance by the West Indies.” The conditions were clearly ideal for batting, which only added to the sour taste of the collapse.
Carlos Brathwaite echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration with the performance: “These guys play here year in and year out, and I expected to see a little bit better. You have to give more. A horrid batting performance.”
Future Implications
When Mikyle Louis came back to the crease, he had an opportunity for redemption. His elevation from third to starting nine for this encounter only pumped up the bench. His form again highlights the inconsistency and lack of reliability in the West Indies batting order.
The inability to capitalize on good conditions and established partnerships has left the team needing to reassess their approach moving forward. Facing hefty obligations to come due soon after Anderson’s firing, each player’s performance will be key in the decisive games ahead.
