Who Killed West Indies Cricket?

I have indicted the West Indies selectors and have charged the coaches and managers with conspiracy in the 'death of West Indies cricket'.

In any sport, the objective is winning and the selectors have forgotten this objective. And to win games, you must select your best players. It is wonderful to claim, "we are exposing young players." But where does it lead in creating a winning team? The answer is nowhere, as evident
with the dismal performances of late.

I am not against giving youngsters exposure. However, exposure should only be given when one has proven one's self. A century in a Busta Cup game after numerous failures does not make a batsman a candidate for the West Indies team. The batsman must prove his ability by being consistent.

The team was slowly 'poisoned' by a board of selectors with egos larger than the continent of Africa. They dropped one of the most accomplished opening batsmen, Desmond Haynes, because of vindictiveness. The result, I do not have to point out.

I believe that the Jamaican batsman Ricardo Powell should have been one of the opening batsmen in test matches, but the selectors, managers and coaches had other ideas. They used him for the limited overs games because of his aggressive approach.

I would rather have an aggressive 40 runs from one opener and a patient 60 from the other and be in a good position at 120 for 1 wicket, than have two patient 20s and be 40 for 2. If he is a limited overs player as other quality players are, can any genius out there figure out why the West Indies are being bowled out for scores that are deemed low by limited over standards?.

If the ODI-only player roles were implemented two decades ago, I wondered if aggressive batsmen like Viv Richards and Roy Fredericks would have played in Test matches.

The selectors, coaches and managers should have the gall to rest even Brian Lara for a game or two if he is failing. They should adjust the order and put the most reliable batsman to open. Once you are in a position of being 20 for 3, you are in trouble.