THE enchanting, ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar means much else has fallen deep into the background.

But, believe it or not, for some Caribbean cricket lovers there have been sleepless nights over the past week and a half as beleaguered West Indies strive to compete against powerful hosts Australia in the ongoing two-Test cricket series Down Under.

It’s not that fans expect the regional team, ranked eighth in Test cricket, to beat number one-ranked Australia in Tests. That would be unrealistic.

Rather, fans hope for fight and even a glimmer of light. There was hope, even an expectation, that West Indies seam bowlers — highly successful in Test cricket at home in recent times — would’ve carried that form to Australia.

That hope was cruelly dashed in the first Test at Perth and again over the first two days of the second Test in Adelaide as gifted Australian batters imperiously put the visiting bowlers to the sword. A long injury list, necessitating a long flight to Australia for Jamaican seamer Mr Marquino Mindley, who then broke down on the first morning of his début Test, underlined the visitors’ woes.

In that second Test on Friday — a day/night game scheduled to resume after two days (last night Caribbean time) — West Indies were stumbling at 102-4 in response to Australia’s 511-7 declared.

Yet, despite the overwhelming Australian dominance, it hasn’t all been darkness.

Before the tour there was talk — not much more than a whisper — that Mr Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the 26 year-old son of batting great Mr Shivnarine Chanderpaul, could provide stability at the top of the West Indies batting in partnership with Captain Mr Kraigg Brathwaite.

Mr Chanderpaul’s place in the tour party was guaranteed following a breakthrough season in the COVID-shortened four-day regional tournament earlier this year. His place as an opener was confirmed when incumbent Mr John Campbell ran afoul of drug-testing rules.

Mr Chanderpaul warmed up for the first Test with a century and a half-century in a drawn four-day game.

He has since followed up with impressive opening partnerships with his captain who scored a delightful second-innings century at Perth. The example set by the openers has gone a long way in helping the West Indies to bat for more than 100 overs in each inning of the first Test against the high-class Australians, gaining nods of respect.

Mr Chanderpaul has looked secure and courageous while scoring 51 and 45 on Test début at Perth, and 47 not out in the ongoing Test. Even if Mr Chanderpaul fails to make another run in Australia, his trip will be deemed a success.

As Cricket West Indies strives to craft a way forward for the regional team, Mr Chanderpaul has shown what can be achieved if young talent is patiently honed and nurtured. All the more reason for academy programmes, such as that now ongoing in Antigua, to be sustained and expanded.

But such programmes and related development projects and competitions are expensive. They will need all hands on deck, including regional governments and the Caribbean business sector. Can such support be galvanised for West Indies cricket now teetering on the edge? If it doesn’t happen, this grand, unique cricket project dating back to early in the last century is doomed, we fear.