Why Wavell Hinds?

The selectors have done it again. Although their job is not an easy one, our selectors are perhaps the worst panel in the cricketing world. Sometimes I wonder whether they really want the West Indies to win.

Selection of a team has to be part of an overall strategy -- what are you trying to do in the long run? Let's look at the bowlers. It seems that the strategy is to exploit the Indians' weakness against fast bowling. No problem. That means you must go for your best attack. Although I don't trust our four-pronged attack, I will go for it if we pick the best combination available.

But the selectors have not done that. Merv Dillon and Adam Sanford are steady medium pacers who could produce lethal spells, if conditions are in their favour. Cameron Cuffy shuts up one end, thus making easier for the other bowlers to take advantage of the batsmen inevitable inclination to relax at the other end. The fourth bowler should be a genuine fast bowler to capitalize on the pressure induced by Cuffy. Neither Marlon Black nor Pedro Collins fits that mold.

It is not that we don?t have such bowlers -- there are Colin Stuart, Reon King, Tino Best and to a lesser extent Darren Powel. Yet, they are almost forgotten. Yes, our genuine quickies lack maximum control, but who doesn't? The extra runs that they give away will be compensated by Cuffy?s economy and their wicket taking ability even on unresponsive tracks. King of course should be the first choice for he has more control than the other two. But he is sitting somewhere in Georgetown.

Now to the batsman. I agree that Stuart Williams had to go, but why Wavell Hinds? Well, he made 175 against the Indians last week. Are we not picking him on the same basis as we did Williams -- form? Hinds has the same technical flaw as Williams, Campbell and Gayle -- poor footwork. Ganga's technique is good but he lacks shots, but Devon Smith has both. However, he is sitting somewhere in St. George's.

I hope we win in Antigua, but the selectors can make it easier. I would not cry when they are removed in a few weeks.

* Dr David Hinds is a political/social/sports commentator who runs the popular GuyanaCaribbeanPolitics online discussion center.