I think it might be another difficult couple of years. The reason this generations batsmen are so poor IMHO is that they have learned their cricket on terrible pitches. It is only over the last 2 years that we have had much better pitches and therefore multiple people averaging 50 or more over the course of a season. I think this will start to show results in the next 2 to 3 years but for now we are just going to have to find ways around it and hope that one or two of this generation come through. Personally, I would hope the below can make it and at least improve our test match batting slightly.
Nicholas Pooran - I've seen him discussed in this thread. Personally I would bring him into the set up for the series against South Africa in September (hopefully!). He is an insanely talented strokemaker yes but if you watch him bat in ODI's he has a very sound technique to back it up. I don't see what we have got to lose by including him. The counter argument I have heard is that it is unfair on those who perform in FC cricket (like Bonner over the last 2 years for example), but I don't think we can afford to be sentimental.
Shimron Hetmeyer - Again, insanely talented, can't build an innings. I'd prioritise getting him to play a season of FC as he has been given a go at test level and proven he can score runs but that he needs to work on the mental side and building an innings. Has too much talent to sit out for long.
Brandon King - Beautiful batsman to watch. Has done reasonably in FC cricket and really well against India A against some good bowlers. Because he had a good CPL they put him into the T20 and ODI side which meant he didn't get to play the FC season, which is a mistake. I would make sure he plays the next FC season/A series with a view to promoting him.
Joshua Da Silva - Good technique and an awesome work ethic. Really kicked on last year in both List A and FC cricket. Scoring runs in the intra-squad match will have done him no harm at all. I just have a feeling he may get a call up soon, Coach Simmons will have been very impressed with him.
Kyle Mayers - Older than the others at 27 years of age but his batting has come on hugely in the last 2 years. He was the second best batsman in FC cricket last year after Blackwood and if anything was more consistent than him. He would be a number 5 or 6, excellent at coming in and scoring quickly against tiring attacks. Also an excellent medium pacer with big induckers.
Those are the ones I'm following anyway. Obviously Darren Bravo finally returned to domestic cricket and scored lots of runs, appearing like he had the flow of batting back, so he would likely get the nod before any of those I mentioned. The biggest issue of all and one that I don;t see a solution for is the opening batsman to partner Kraigg. We just don;t have any realistic options available. Next in line would be
Shayne Moseley but he is far far worse than Campbell IMHO. He is extremely vulnerable just outside off stump, not a great trait for an opener.
However, as this series has shown, our management are stubborn as hell and very reluctant to make changes. So an unchanged lineup is not beyond the realms of possibility. More than anything, I want our batting lineup to represent the Caribbean. This lineup is so meek and full of overcoached right handers. We need to inject some flair and be able to at least try and fight back. That afternoon and evening session on Day 2 was horrid, like lambs to the slaughter with not even an attempt to put pressure back on the bowlers until Blackwood came in. We need a better blend of attack and defence.
