MICHELLE McDONALD talks to DEVON SMITH

We continue talking to the 'newbies' on the West Indies team, playing in their first Cricket World Cup in front of their home crowds. After the Group Stage matches, things have gone horribly wrong for team West Indies. Can a hometown boy turn it around?

CaribbeanCricket.com chatted with Grenadian Devon Smith, yet to be named in a starting XI, two days before his team faces South Africa Full Story

I believe Devon Smith will play tomorrow against South Africa as an openner. Gayle would be moved to 5 or 6th. Dwight Smith would be dropped.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

If he plays he must at all times be mentally focused , cool , calm and collected .

He must also be patient , no rash strokes because an over was bowled and it was a maiden . Surviving the first 10 overs without no loss of wickets is critical . The batsmen after 10 overs should be able to consolidate . KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOUR STUMPS ARE . DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PLAY ACROSS THE LINE UNTIL YOU ARE CERTAIN THAT IT IS SAFE IN ALL ASPECTS TO DO SO .

It is critical that he knows the pace of the bowlers , the various movements of the ball , the bounce of the wicket , and use footwork to smother the spin of spinners , IF UNABLE TO READ THE SPIN . This also applies to all members of the Team .

The Team as a whole must GUARD AGAINST RUN OUTS , & GETTING STUMPED .

So Devon if you are selected , focus on the game , at all times , Remember the hopes and aspirations of young players from the Windward Islands are riding on your shoulders , and are pulling for you to do well , not to mention the Grenadians ,especially if you are going to be playing in your hometown .

I THEREFORE WISH YOU GOOD LUCK IF YOU ARE SELECTED AND ALSO THE TEAM IN THE MATCH TOMORROW .

Devon must be the the player Yammie features the most!

In reply to zimzimma

Di Grenada connection. Good for Yammie -without her we'd never hear from Devon.

As a long time and long term supporter of Devon Smith, I wish him well should he be selected to play in any game for the West Indies.

However, given the current situation, I would caution against building him or any other individual up as the new messiah, notwithstanding the religious practices and beliefs inherited from our former slavemasters and the coincidental timing of the seasonal Christian festival.

The issues raised by what I have seen so far seem to me to go beyond the performance or non-performance of any one man.

Good luck Devon Smith.

Oh Dear, here we go again. Wishing and hoping that a saviour will come along. Ssdly Devon Smith has done nothing to date to show that he will make a difference in this team.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com Thanks Michelle, and good luck to my home Boy Devon if given the call. Make us proud make West Indies proud.

Wesley

In reply to bimbo Will be difficult to do worse than some current jokers on the team.

Wesley

In reply to hewesleyb I don't see him doing worst but he ain't gonnna make much difference either.

In reply to bimbo If more players each do a bit better maybe just maybe the team will do better.


Wesley

In reply to hewesleyb I prefer to stick to players who have shown on occasions that they can win matches. Something is worng in the camp and it is affecting the team mentally. That is the problem.

In reply to bimbo

I am only interested in Devon Smith getting the same amount of chances that others have got and are still getting .

Currently on the West Indies Team is a player who has been there for nearly 10 years and has a mid twenties average .

Now I am not stating this to be critical of that player or others who have repeatedly failed and are still being selected .

Unless Devon Smith is given a fair chance , then I will have to conclude that there is a double standard in the Selection process .

I am fully aware that many on this MB would like him to fail , so that they can say , he should never have been selected .

I am hoping that it aint Gayle who is left out and Devon if selected replaces him , the people from Jamaica would not be pleased . Those on this MB WILL ALSO BE VERY UNHAPPY .

So far you and another person seem to be in the negative column in regard to Devon Smith . As I said , I dont wish ill of the amount of chances other players get , I just want ALL players to have the same opportunities to play , and I really dont think that is too much to ask .

In reply to POINT[/b Well let us see but the problem is that to pick Devon, you are losing a bowling option. I do beleive that the problem right now is that something is wrong in the camp why the guys are underperforming.