Ian Bishop: India may consider including Mishra in final Test

Former West Indies bowling ace Ian Bishop says if the match gets to days four and five, the pitch will take spin at that stage. By arrangement with Quba Media Works.

By its very definition, the "nature isle" of Dominica is exactly that; pretty natural with lots of mountains, flora and fauna, rainforests and an easy going and lovely people. It is a haven for those inclined to eco-tourism.

For those trying to win a Test match to square a series, it is a place of contradictions. Because of the mountainous terrain in Dominica, it is prone to rainfall. Combine that natural process with the time of year in which this match is being played, and it is a recipe for inclement weather interventions.

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The rain doesn't necessarily fall in torrential downpours, but rather sweeps across Windsor Park too often for comfort.

The West Indies would have been hoping that the greenery of this lovely island would have extended to the pitch at Windsor Park; it has not! The pitch looks hard, with some brown rolled in live grass. But it is hard to say how much pace there is in it.

India has been good enough to be two up in the series by now had it not been for the number of overs lost in Barbados. So, again, they have to pitch up in a positive mindset in the final game.

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Again, it may be a contradiction, but the look of the pitch may ask India to consider once again bringing Amit Mishra back into the equation at Mithun's expense, as well as Mithun bowled in Barbados. If the match gets to days four and five, I believe that it will take spin at that stage.

You have to wonder as well if the consistent showers have left a residue of moisture in the surface, which will remain for some duration into the first couple of days, helping the seamers initially.

India's two of the big three are in the runs, with only Dhoni to find his form. Their problem is whether to go into the final game with both Virat Kholi, who has looked out of sorts in Test cricket so far, and Murali Vijay.-

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Of the reserve batsmen, only Parthiv Patel looks capable of making an impact. Badrinath looked at sea against the short-ball in the last ODI he played, so the options to me are only related to the opening partnership. Given that he is a specialist keep, India may opt not to change it.

The West Indies have brought in Kieran Powell, a left-handed opening batsman from Nevis and I assume he will play given Lendl Simmons's lean pickings at the top of the order.

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I expect the bowling unit to stay the same. There is talk of Kemar Roach coming because he is fresh. While that is true, at whose expense does he come in? It is not the fault of the incumbent bowling unit that the West Indies are one down in the series; in fact. the bowlers have done well so far.

There is also a conversation emanating about Roach replacing the lone West Indian spinner. I would always play a spinner, and more so given the look of the surface here at Windsor Park. Therefore, I would retain the services of Devendra Bishoo.

What the West Indies could do with is for Marlon Samuels to get bowling again. It would take the burden off the four main bowlers and afford them some much-need rest at times in the match. It is understood that he will have his action assessed in Australia after this series is complete.

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The team badly needs a competent fifth bowling option, such as that offered previously by Chris Gayle, Jimmy Adams, and Carl Hooper. Or occasionally, by Samuels himself before his bowling was reported for a suspected action.

It was good to see Carlton Baugh among the runs, (he may eventually thank Dhoni for dropping him before he scored last match) to join Daren Bravo and Samuels as success stories in the last match.

What the West Indies need is at least three or four batsmen to score in the same innings instead of the disjointed manner in which it has taken place so far.

I do feel that there is a nice core of young players developing for the West Indies, but it may take a couple more years for them to become competitive. All the talk about Gayle, Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan has merit in the value of senior players who are committed to development and performance. I have been an advocate of the importance of experience, but if the players mentioned do not seek to compromise and, more importantly, perform, then the game will move on without them.

Just ask any former player, however great he may have been, the game always moves on, with, or without you.

By arrangement with Quba Media Works