PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Chairman of selectors Alec Burns says West Indies left-hander Darren Bravo was left out of Trinidad and Tobago’s squad for the two opening matches of the WICB Professional Cricket League, because of his failure to make himself available to cricket authorities here.
Burns told the Trinidad Express newspaper repeated attempts were made to reach the dashing left-hander but calls to his mobile went unanswered.
The player had been expected to attend a scheduled meeting with the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board but he never turned up. “We never included him because he never turned up … nobody knows about Darren Bravo at this stage what his status is,” Burns said.
“He never turned up, there was no communication from Darren Bravo. There was a pre-arranged meeting that he agreed to attend he never attended. At least my information is he never attended.
“He never called to say what is the position or whatever and that is the most we know about Darren Bravo so far.” Bravo is one of the leading national batsmen, averaging nearly 40 in first class cricket and 43 in 32 Tests. He was one of the Windies players who walked off the tour of India in a row with the West Indies Players Association over the terms of newly signed player contracts.
His older brother, Dwayne Bravo, also the West Indies ODI captain, was spokesman for the aggrieved players. He is currently playing professional T20 cricket in South Africa and will also miss T&T’s first class commitments.
West Indies Test captain Denesh Ramdin, who has claimed victimisation after being overlooked for the post of national skipper, has been selected in the squad which will be led by experienced all-rounder Rayad Emrit.
Jason Mohammed will serve as vice-captain.
T&T face Barbados on Friday at Queen’s Park Oval in the opening round of matches.
SQUAD – Rayad Emrit (captain), Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Yannick Ottley, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Denesh Ramdin, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards, Bryan Charles, Yannic Cariah.
