Dear Editor,
The first Test against Australia begins on June 3. It is rarely wise to postpone decisions or the preparation necessary for making important decisions when there is a deadline that is close. The following decisions fall into that category:
Who will be Kraigg Brathwaite`s opening partner? Will Chanderpaul be replaced, and if so, by whom? How many specialist bowlers will play? Will there be 2 fast bowlers and 2 spinners or 3 fast bowlers and 1 spinner? Will Samuels be played as an all-rounder or as a batsman who can bowl a few useful overs? What will be the batting order?
The sooner these decisions are made the more time the coaching staff will have for careful preparation that has been lacking in WI cricket for a long time.
I remember not long ago when the manager was required to go to Cave Hill on the morning of a Test match against South Africa to fetch a kid named Bess to open the bowling, many people feigned surprise when the WI lost badly, notwithstanding some second innings heroics from Roach. The captain was naturally blamed.
Yours faithfully,
Romain Pitt
