Dear Editor,
I have tremendous respect for the Chairman of selectors for his achievements on and off the cricket field, but his recent attempt to explain questionable selections and omissions of the West Indies World Cup squad has left me and most of the cricketing world aghast. The question asked is whether it was prudent to rebuild at a major tournament like the World Cup or after in preparation for World Cup 2019? I am sure the overwhelming majority of reasonable thinking cricket fans in the world find the rebuilding explanation unpalatable to swallow.
I assume that the selectors were aware of the changes in the rules for this World Cup before they selected this squad.
They are as follows:
- First power play for ten overs with only 2 players allowed outside the 30yds circle.
- Batting power play for five overs before the 40th over with 3 players allowed outside the 30 yds circle.
- Five fielders within the 30 yards at all times during the course of the innings.
- Two new balls (one at each end)
Rahul Dravid and Graeme Smith opined that it will force teams to play specialist bowlers and not play part-timers for obvious reasons. It would therefore mean that teams will likely comprise of five specialist batsmen, a batting all-rounder who is a recognised bowler, wicket-keeper and four specialist bowlers. With this in mind I sought to select the best team from the bunch selected and arrived at Gayle, Smith, Simmons, Bravo, Samuels, Ramdin, Russell, Holder, Taylor, Roach, Narine. The rest (Sammy, Cotrel, Benn, Carter) will have to be excluded.
Be that as it may, anyone looking at the composition of the present West Indies 15 member squad and comparing it with the inclusion of Bravo and Pollard in the place of Carter and Cotrel/Holder, will admit that it would have been a more balanced side and makes more sense. And I hasten to add that Mr Holder as captain is scandalous since he could not make the team normally as a player. And Vice-captain Marlon Samuels’ method of dismissal in the third Test, the T20 and first one day international does not require me to comment.
It is clear for all to see that apart from the team being better off with Bravo as the all-rounder to Russell, Holder will be out of his depth to handle this situation. As a matter of fact, he may become a liability to the team unless he drastically improves on his control and length. I am sorry, but I am of the firm opinion that at 23 years of age with his height, it is a waste of attributes for him to be bowling at his pedestrian pace.
I believe that that the selectors should have picked the best players for the World Cup and say to them in clear language what are the expectations. And, if the results were not forthcoming, then restructuring will become absolutely necessary going forward. Despite being an optimist, I will be very surprised if this West Indies team goes past the preliminary rounds. I will be the first to offer a public apology if they reach the finals.
Yours faithfully,
Eric Whaul