West Indies selectors delivered a blow on some of the senior players sending a clear message that business will not be conducted as usual. As the West Indies team prepares to face Pakistan in the One-Day Series, the selectors led by Clyde Butts did not include veteran players Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramneresh Sarwan for the first two One-Day games.
The West Indies Cricket Board has named 13 players for the first two One-Day matches and they are as follows: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith and Devon Thomas. Ottis Gibson will be the head coach and Richie Richardson will serve as manager.
Availability Of Vice Captain
It is difficult to understand why Dwayne Bravo was named vice captain for the One-Day Series when he would not be available for the two Test matches against Pakistan after the One-Day Series. With due respect to Mr. Bravo, I do understand his contract obligations in the IPL but the West Indies team cannot be going through the constant changes with captains and vice captains so often. This certainly will hamper the rebuilding efforts.
When the Test Series begins, another vice captain will have to be named and on Bravo’s return, the possibility exists that he may regain the vice captaincy status. For the vice captain to be exposed in a learning process, that player must participate in a full series especially in the Test Series, which is of paramount importance for test status. A player must not be in and out because of other obligations and attain the vice captaincy status.
Normally, Brendan Nash is not considered for selection in the limited overs so if he is chosen as vice captain for the tests, there would be a change again when the One-Day Games come around. It must be remembered that just after the Pakistan series, World Champions India arrives. The West Indies team has some serious competitive cricket ahead and some form of consistency must be maintained along with professionalism from the West Indies Cricket Board, selectors, West Indies Players Association and the cricketers.
Kraigg Brathwaite Named W.I. Under-19 Captain
Barbados Under-19 opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite was appointed captain of the West Indies Under-19 team to tour the United Arab Emirates to play three Limited Overs Matches and a three-day game against the Australian Under-19 team at the Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.
The under-19 squad comprises Kraigg Brathwaite (captain),Anthony Alleyne,Ronsford Beaton, John Campbell, Brian Christmas, Kwame Crosse, Derone Davis, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Jerome Jones, Kieron Joseph, Steven Katwaroo, Amir Khan,Kyle Mayers,Donovan Nelson and Akeem Saunders. This series starts April 18.
