When Roger Harper and his team convene shortly to select the T20 and Test teams for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, the squads selected will certainly give some insight into the direction they are heading.
Harper, during a recent interview with i95FM Sports FM in Trinidad, noted that the panel held discussions on matters concerning the teams.
He informed that a decision was made surrounding the leadership direction of the test side and stated that Jason Holder will continue to lead the side despite its recent poor showing.
But what about a few other questions surrounding the make-up of the test side?
And will the Harper led selection panel pull out a few gutsy calls?
Right off the bat, the opening combination of John Campbell and Kraigg Braithwaite has not been that stable force atop the order and things are not about to get any easier when Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner take aim.
The selectors will have to decide whether they will persist with Campbell or initiate some kind of change with either Shane Moseley – the reserve opener during the last tour of England – Joshua Da Silva or even Darren Bravo given a go at the top alongside Braithwaite who did just enough in England to hold on to his spot.
Similarly, Shai Hope’s dubious return on the circuit warrants a reaction. You simply cannot persist with a guy who does not look like test cricket is his cup of tea. I do believe the selection of Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran in the test side together would not raise too many eyebrows.
Pooran has only featured in three first-class appearances, the last of which came almost six years ago. However, he has the pedigree to become a successful long format player.
The rest of the test side is pretty settled and I do not imagine many changes occurring down the order. Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich and the bowlers are pretty safe. However, as mentioned before, it is the composition of the top order that pundits are eager to sink their teeth in.
The selection of the T20 side, on the other hand, seems straightforward if the high-profile players are all available, specifically, Chris Gayle and Sunil Narine. The duo has not played for the Caribbean side in over a year and questions are mounting regarding their commitment to the side and whether they are in the fray for the next ICC T20 World Cup.
It would be interesting to see who are the young talents being blooded. The likes of Kyle Mayers and Kevin Sinclair who both impressed during the last CPL should be in line for consideration while Sherfane Rutherford and Brandon King who were both dismal in the same tournament would be anxiously awaiting Harper’s call.
Possible test side and reserves:
Kraigg Braithwaite, Darren Bravo, Shayne Moseley, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (C), Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzari Joseph, Rahkeem Cornwall, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Keon Harding, Chermar Holder, Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul
Possible T20 side and reserves:
Chirs Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shimron Heymyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Lindel Simmons, Rovman Powell, Andrew Russell, Kieron Pollard (c), Sunil Narine, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzari Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Darren Bravo, Kevin Sinclair, Sherfane Rutherford, and Brandon King.
