Cricket West Indies (CWI) on March 15, announced the postponement of the last two rounds of its marquee first-class championship as a precautionary measure to dodge the impact of the deadly new coronavirus.
The board informed that all cricket in the region will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days.
With eight rounds completed and with the possibility of the 2020 championship being prematurely curtailed altogether, I took the opportunity to put on my selector’s cap to identity the season’s XI.
The enigma that is Kraigg Braithwaite slots in at the top of the order. Though his figures aren’t astonishing this season, it was his grit against defending champions, Guyana Jaguars in a must-win match, scoring 48 and 84 that earned him the nod ahead of few other openers.
His tally stands at 468 runs at an average of 33.42 this season; I chose him ahead of John Campbell (491 runs) and Barbadian opening partner (Shayne Moseley 490 runs).
I’m not going to say much about veteran Devon Smith but his numbers, like every other season is pretty difficult to ignore; he has so far notched up 649 runs from eight appearances. He joins Braithwaite at the top.
First drop goes to the little right-hander from Jamaica in Jermaine Blackwood. He currently sits atop the runs table with 768 runs following his record-breaking double century (248) against the Leeward Islands.
He showed consistency throughout the season, scoring six half-centuries, the most by any batsman and certainly made a case for a full-fledged test recall.
Blackwood’s countryman, Nkrumah Bonner, slots in behind him on the weight of his runs this season. He is one of five batsmen to crack the 500-run mark and is again one of five batsmen this season to score two centuries. His tally of 532 runs seals his midorder berth. Guyana Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson’s tally of 472 runs pins him in at number five. It was another mixed season for the left-hander but considering the other options available, he is perhaps most suited to control proceedings in the middle order.
His best innings this season came against Windwards – a well-crafted undefeated 189. His experience and winning pedigree cannot be ignored and he will undisputedly lead the side.
Perhaps the wonder kid of the season, Kyle Mayers is one of those players who Roger Harper will be egging on to back up his numbers come next season.
Mayers, for the most part, led Barbados’ batting charge during a number of tricky periods and tallied 654 runs inclusive of two centuries and five fifties; he is also handy with the ball.
Twenty-one-year-old Johsua DaSilva is another exciting prospect to watch out for and with optimism that he will ‘go on’. He secures the wicket-keeping/batsman position and although he only has 13 dismissals behind the stumps, his case is nailed up by his batting. He has 507 runs at 50.7 – one of three batsmen to average over 50.
Veersammy Permaul, who hasn’t lost his appetite for wickets, is the first bowler in the list. His 50 scalps from eight appearances speak for itself.
Chemar Holder is another bowler whose numbers tell a promising story. He is currently the leading wicket-taking fast bowler for the season with 36 wickets and his pace is definitely reminiscent of West Indies fast bowling fury of old.
Kemar Roach is getting better with age. His form over the last few years in international cricket has been sublime. His attacking instance and ability to take wickets on flat surfaces this season earns him the second fast-bowling spot. After five matches, he has taken 30 wickets at a strike rate of 28.0 – the most effective among the lot this season.
The position for the final spot is a tossup between two emerging seamers in Barbados’ Keon Harding, who has 29 scalps from seven appearances, and Jamaican Marquino Mindley – another stimulating fast bowler with a lot of promise; he has 24 wickets from six outings.
