West Indies bowling legend Michael Holding believes the team’s previously strong performances against England should give them plenty of confidence heading into next month’s Test series.
England are currently ranked at fourth in the world, four places above the eight-ranked West Indies. On paper, it should be a comfortable win for the home team. But, although the Windies have not managed to get any sort of result in the UK since 1995 and have not won a series there since 1998, the regional team has put in some solid performances, including when they last visited in 2017.
“West Indies lost 2-1 when they were in England the last time. They didn’t play that badly…the second Test match will have showed them that they are able to compete in England,” Holding said on youtube podcast Mikey – Holding nothing back.
The 23-year-old has played 20 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 12 Twenty20 (T20) matches for West Indies, but while he made his debut in both formats back in 2018, he is yet to get a taste of Test match cricket.
“I definitely want to play Test cricket; I want to do well in all three formats,” he said during a recent interview after training at Sabina Park.
“Test cricket is really the ultimate that everyone wants to play to be great. You don't want to just be an average cricketer; you want to be among the greats,” Thomas added.
Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding says he can’t blame the trio of players - Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul - who opted out of the impending England tour, given the conditions globally surrounding Covid-19. But the SKY cricket commentator deemed it a missed chance for the batsmen, especially, to develop their craft.
“Well the West Indies Board, before the squad was even selected, before they even confirmed the tour, had told everyone, the players and the entire public that they would not be forcing anyone to go on this tour. If any player decided they weren’t absolutely sure about going on tour, they weren’t confident about things and if they would be safe and all that, they could opt-out and these three guys have opted out,” Holding said.
Holding believed Bravo in particular would have benefitted from more cricket against top-class opposition in England. “Bravo, I think, needs to resuscitate his career,” Holding said. “He started off so brilliantly. Everybody thought he was going to be another great West Indies batsman. He hasn’t really fulfilled that. I think the more cricket he can play now, especially for the West Indies, I think the better chance he has of getting back on track and showing everyone the great player that he could be.”
Once there is a commitment from the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) regarding safety protocols and the Ministry of Health gives the all-clear, Trinidad and Tobago is all for hosting the entire tournament in the country.
Last week it was reported that the CPL were intent on presenting a proposal to T&T Prime Minister Keith Rowley for the country to host the entire tournament at two venues, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Torouba and the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair.
This week, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Shamfa Cudjoe, said the government was “very, very much open” to the proposal.
"The proposal speaks primarily to the health protocol and doesn't cover budget or anything of that sort. I must commend CPL for taking this time out to touch on and examine each and every part of the health protocol - from quarantine period after the players land, as to how they are going to be housed, how they are fed and how to maintain social distancing, even rules as to whether saliva or sweat can be used on the ball - they went into detail," said Cudjoe speaking on i95.5fm radio out of T&T.
The 2020 season was aborted with two matches remaining due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic and this was the third time Permaul has captured 50 or more wickets in a single season.
Three Guyanese were selected in a 30-man squad for possible selection but batsman Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowling all-rounder Kemo Paul opted out due to safety reasons. Trinidadian batsman Daren Bravo also made himself unavailable.
“I never told anyone that I was not available for the England tour so I take it that I was just not picked. Of course I am disappointed but my selection is not in my hands and all I can do is to continue to take wickets if I play for Guyana” Permaul said yesterday.
“I always say to myself ‘I will get back when God wants me there; God is my only hope,” said the 30-year-old from Albion, Berbice. Chairman of the CWI Selectors, Guyanese Roger Harper had said during a Radio interview before the 30-man squad was picked:“He (Permaul) has certainly put his hands up again, in a big way. You know, taking 50 wickets in the eight matches, he has really put his hands up, and of course he would be seriously considered.”
