The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket
West Indies all-rounder Ryan Hinds has been diagnosed with a "viral illness" and will miss the second Test against South Africa in Trinidad & Tobago. Jamaican batsman Donovan Pagon will take his place.
Hinds' illness comes at the most inopportune time for the 24-year old left-hander, who has struggled to maintain his place in the side. He played a crucial role in the first Test in Guyana, scoring 48 and bowling 27 overs of fill-in left-arm spin.
In most organizations of the modern era, succession planning is seen as an integral part of business operations. Succession planning allows for continuity and training of new leaders for the future.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), in a move viewed by many as a take charge approach, has appointed Shivnarine Chanderpaul captain of the West Indies team for the current series against South Africa and the upcoming tour of Pakistan. Regardless of one?s view of this action by the Board, it can be safe to assume that this will be the situation for the foreseeable future. The success of such a move will be revealed in time.
Long suffering fans of West Indies cricket, at least those who didn't engage in a boycott on behalf of the sidelined players, finally had something to cheer about in the first 2005 Digicel Test at Bourda in Georgetown, Guyana. Displaying a commitment not recently seen, the West Indies team managed to dominate South Africa for four of the five days, and were it not for a few badly missed catches and the loss of about 64 overs due to weather, this match may well have had a different result.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul will remain captain for the remainder of the home series against South Africa.
Immediately after the end of the drawn first Test in Guyana, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) quelled any speculation about the future leadership of the team, naming Chanderpaul captain even with the return of Brian Lara for the second Test in Lara's native Trinidad & Tobago. Vice-captain Courtney Browne also retained that post.
Firstly, I wish to congratulate Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Wavell Hinds on their magnificent performances in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa. This has been achieved within a climate of controversy and tension which makes their contributions quite outstanding.
This is of no surprise to me because of the quality and tenacity of our players on and off the field and how they have dealt with difficult situations in the recent past. They have had to contend with the current contract controversy and, contrary to what have been promoted in certain quarters, the players have always been focused on acting in a mature and responsible manner and putting regional cricket first.