Trinidad & Tobago fast bowler Ravi Rampaul is set to return to West Indies duty after a two-year injury break.

Rampaul, who has struggled with shin splints since 2004, was named in the final 13-man squad for the first "Test" against Sri Lanka starting tomorrow (Nov 24). Full Story

Once again they load up the A team with old failures, denying themselves andus the chance to see how new prospects would perform at that level.

What do we need to see and know of Wavell Hinds, Ryan Hinds and Devon Smith that we do not already know from their many regional, A team and test performances...or lack of?

Even if those 3 were to perform well, what new information would that add to the WI stock? Haven't they done that before and still failed at test/ODI levels?

What is the sense in using these players instead of looking at Crandon, Emrit and Pollard, to name a few, at A team level, especially with WC 2007 around the corner and huge performance gaps in the WI ODI team?

Then, their performances could be compared to that of the old failures before making selections for WC 2007.

WI cricket wil continue to suffer badly from the stupidity of the slelctors and the even greater stupidity of those who appoint them.

Barbados and Jamaica are paying the price for loading up their teams with old dung heap hacks for too long while not investing in the youths. Their shortsightedness allowed them to "win" for a few years, but resulted in them not being able to supply WI with quality test/ODI players instead of the recycled mediocrities they proffer over
and over.

T&T's wisdom of investing in youths, never mind losses, is paying off, not so much for T&T's cricket, but for WI cricket, which is far more important.

These dotish selectors practise a clealrly failed strategy, in spite of the abundance of evidence of its failure in Barbados and Jamaica.

It's their dotishness that will slow, if not stop, WI cricket's attempt to rise to the top once again.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

I first saw Gavin Tonge in the Standford 20/20, I really hope someone is looking out for this kid. He reminds me of an old stlye West Indian fast bowler, big and strapping and bowling fast with minimal effort. Bowling fast with little effort allows for a greater degree of control, i hope we can nuture this talent.

melbourne cc can beat that team. :roll:how/why did rampaul end up in this squad?

In reply to Ninetenjack

I had Gavin with me in the summer

The boy has talent with the ball

His 2 problems:,

His wrist position at point od delivery which I worked with him on

His fackin HARD EARS!

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Admin busy today.


Can someone please tell me what Wavell Hinds and Sylvester Joseph is doing a "A" team?

Got to agree with RB - this is recycling to the umpteenth power.

I guess, there should be a age cut off for the A team -

otherwise Kingie and Cuffy should also stake their claim!!!

In reply to Banner
His fackin HARD EARS!

I can't say I have ever heard of a hard ears youngster before
:wink: still someone needs to mentor him. Maybe a little professionsl contract playing good club cricket in England where he gets the benefit of professional coaching would be 1 way.

In reply to Ninetenjack

He has been playing club cricket with me for 3 years now

Having good coaching with video footage analysing his action

You know, I picked up his wrist position problem straight away when I videoed it.

These idiot coaches in the West Indies never picked it up earlier.

And it was the first time he had seen his action scrutinized on video!!

In reply to Banner

Kudos to you my friend, I really like the Kid. How is his work ethic, he looks like he could be fitter if he wanted to, is his focus totally on cricket?

Looks like no recall for Dillon 8)

In reply to redbaron

"We have a mixture of youth and experience and we have selected some players with Test match experience as well as some younger players," he told reporters.

"In Sri Lanka we see the 'A' team as a key part of our structure. These are the players who will step up a notch if the main team has injuries, if players retire, or lose form."

The team is being led by right-hander Thilan Samaraweera who has played 40 Tests, and also includes 33-year-old left-hander Russel Arnold, who has made 44 Test and 165 One-Day International appearances.

Can you explain the differences between or selection policy and that of England, Aus, NZ, SA, Pak & IND.
"A" team selection is base on performances during the regional series, and also to get out of form players, some pratice matches.

I think this is a decent A team with that mix of experience & youth. My feeling is that the A team should be an intermediate level between FC cricket and the Test team with the promoton path going from FC cricket> A Team > international team and back again. By those lights, Wavell has kind of been demoted to the A team.

Waste Hinds again. This man is like Ganga.
I wonder who he does be in the pool with 8)

What I hope will come out of the A tour is another fast bowling talent to match Taylor.. I hope that Tonge, Kelly and/or Richardson really shine....

Emritis a good bowler

congrats to richard, ur time is coming baby just keep pushing

its so sad to see that Rayad being ignored AGAIN!

and that for reason known only to WICB selectors hinds, hinds, joseph etc gettin a next chance

wasn't joseph's captaining critiseized constantly in england
so what has changed since?

In reply to queenie_dred

What were the criticisms?

they way he used his bowling

his inability to get the troops motivated

his performance both with the bat and fielding

WI/A 55/5 at tea