Stuart Williams? Junior Murray? No!

Mon, Mar 11, '02

The test always comes. It may come sooner, it may come later, but it always comes. And for Mike Findlay, Joel Garner and Joey Carew, the test has come now.

Stuart Williams and Junior Murray have a combined Test batting average of 24.19. Conventional wisdom says they haven't amounted to much in the combined 59 Tests they've played. But, in the space of a few weeks, the two have done something much more tangible for West Indies cricket. Has anyone noticed?

By beating the cover off the ball this Busta Cup season, Williams and Murray have surely gotten into the heads of Findlay, Garner and Carew. With all the stomach-churning losses in recent times, the rallying cries have begun. Bring back Williams. Bring back Murray.

From Jamaica to Guyana, the cries have reached a crescendo and the selectors cannot possibly be oblivious to it all. But, these aren't everyday circumstances. These are serious times that call for serious decisions. This is the time for Findlay, Garner and Carew to take deep breaths and look to the future.

The test has come. The test is for the three 'wise' men to resist the urge to pen the names of Williams and Murray into the 13-man squad for the first Test at Bourda.

In Murray's case, it's easy to say he will be the perfect back-up to an out-of-form Ridley Jacobs. Williams, too, would be an easy pick to make. Ganga has been a rank failure, even after numerous opportunities. The top of the order is as brittle as Sarwan's back.

Yet, by copping out and going with these 'easy' picks, Findlay, Garner and Carew will miss a golden opportunity to stay the rebuilding course. Yes, the Busta Cup is our premier competition and performances must count for something.

But, in these serious times, when it's not even about winning or losing, rebuilding with a core of young players is the only way to go. For every urge to scribble the name of Williams, the three selectors must get brighter ink for the name of Devon Smith. Or Leon Garrick. Or Azeemul Haniff. Or even Ganga.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) must send one of its most senior representatives to meet with Stuart Williams to explain to him that the rebuilding process in underway and, sadly, it won't include him. He must be firmly told his services are needed to guide the 'A' team in England, as captain.

Same with Junior Murray. If the selectors choose Murray as Jacobs' back-up, or even as Jacobs' replacement (hardly likely), they are copping out and telling us all that they care squat about the future of the game in the region. They will be throwing dirt on the words of WICB president Wes Hall who boldly predicted the team will be a serious top-grade competition within 2-3 years.

It is not only about Williams and Murray. There are others who have thrown their hats into the ring. After the first six rounds of Busta Cup action, Philo Wallace is averaging 42.09. Sherwyn Campbell, Floyd Reifer and Courtney Brown are all averaging in excess of 40. Robert Samuels and Lincoln Roberts, too, have been among the runs.

But, they are all from a time past. These are serious times. These are the times of Devon Smith (yes, that name again). These are the times of Runako Morton and Leon Garrick. These are the time so Kurt Wilkinson and Ryan Hinds. Gareth Breese and Donovon Pagon. The times of Ian Jan and Dwane Bravo. You get the picture...

It is very easy to pick up the stats sheets, compute the numbers and pick a team.

Who said the test was easy?

HITTING OUT:

** Sean Devers will work the CMC commentary panel for the Busta Cup semi-finals and, if Guyana gets to the finals, he will work that broadcast too. One of the most prepared and meticulous of ball-by-ball commentators, Devers adds a certain professionalism to any panel. The Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) should be ashamed of itself for suspending Devers, then lying to the public about the circumstances.

** Viv Richards is among the greatest symbols of Caribbeanism alive today. His legacy needs no introduction. He also sounds like the biggest phony when he openly campaigns for the job of West Indies coach, knowing fully well the job is now held by someone else. Just as it was wrong to dump him because of the absence of a silly coaching certificate, it is equally wrong for Richards to set his eyes on Harper's job. Surely, Viv knows better.

** As for Roger Harper, is there any doubt he has already seen the writing on the wall? His public utterances that our players are technically deficient and must learn to bowl certain deliveries might be considered forthright and honest. But, to me, they sound a bunch of excuses from a lame duck coach waiting to be fired.

** When Dr Paula Alexander matter-of-factly told Ramnaresh Sarwan to rest his ailing back for another few weeks to ensure a complete recovery, she had the long-term well-being on one of the game's brightest young stars in mind. By ignoring those orders and forcing his way into the Busta Cup match against the Leewards, Sarwan is being selfish. You have to wonder who is whispering dumb things into his ears. Sarwan should be on a physio's table, not on a playing field. Wait, I can't say that?

* Send love letters, hate mail and other mindless babble directly to Ryan Naraine.