Viv's Selection Panel Shows No Vision

After a quick glance at the 14-man squad named for the upcoming ICC mini World Cup tournament, I have only one thought: It looks like we're stuck with the same old West Indies selection panel.

The new panel -- led by Sir Viv Richards and including Gordon Greenidge and holdover Joey Carew -- and (perhaps?) current coach and captain -- left much to be desired with this squad, which shows no imagination and worse, no vision for the short and long-term good of West Indies cricket.

Carl Hooper (captain)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Pedro Collins
Corey Collymore
Cameron Cuffy
Mervyn Dillon
Chris Gayle
Ryan Hinds
Wavell Hinds
Ridley Jacobs
Brian Lara
Runako Morton
Mahendra Nagamootoo
Ramnaresh Sarwan

For the most part they got things right, especially with the inclusion of Runako Morton. Morton's forthright approach to batting has stood him in good stead. It remains to be seen if this translates into a successful ODI or Test career. So far, we don't have much to go on as he has only played two
ODI's for an average of 9.50.

On the recent "A" team tour of England, Morton's performances weren't exactly spectacular. He however came on nicely in the Canada leg of the competition, albeit against weaker opposition. Gareth Breese should also consider himself very unlucky, giving way to Nagamootoo without really getting a chance to prove his worth at this level. However, Nagamootoo's batting must have tipped the scales in his favour.

Again, Viv and company opted for Ridley Jacobs as the lone 'keeper in the squad. When will we grasp
the opportunity to blood a new wicketkeeper? Wouldn't this have been the perfect opportunity?

My biggest grouse, however, is with the bowlers chosen for this tournament. One would have thought that leading up to the World Cup, the selectors would have found a place for a few of of the young quicks, including Darren Powell, Jermaine Lawson or even the older Vasbert Drakes and Nixon McLean.

But, they came up lame again, selecting Cuffy, who three weeks ago was reportedly having surgery on his knee; Corey Collymore who has shown nothing in recent times to justify the selectors faith in him, and if eye witness accounts are correct, his recent foray into the Washington Cricket League
where he failed to even threaten to take a wicket, much less find the wicket, is troubling at best.

They also recalled Dillon, who is recovering from a back injury. As our main strike bowler, should we risk Dillon in this tournament? Is he fully fit and ready to go? Or should we moth-ball him until the tour to India? My pick would be the latter. Let him fully recover from his back injury then recall
him for the tour to India.

With Cuffy, we have a 32 year old coming off knee surgery, arguably our most economical bowler, why risk him this close to the World Cup when our need for him would be greater come January? Could Sir Viv and company give us an answer?

The appointment of the new selectors promised much, and with someone as forthright and knowledgeable as Viv as chairman, one would have expected much better. Sadly, it looks like there is still no vision at the WICB and where there is no vision the people perish.

* Lawrence Romeo is a diehard West Indies cricket fan. He spends his spare time arguing as 'Larr' in the CaribbeanCricket.com message boards.