Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief of selectors, Roger Harper, hopes the selection of veteran players like Chris Gayle and Fidel Edwards gives young players a good idea of the kind of standard required for selection heading into the team's World Cup title defense later this year.
The talismanic batsman, Gayle, who is 41-years-old, and Edwards, who is 39, were both selected as part of the T20I squad ahead of the team’s upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
“I would hope it (selection) sends a message to the young players of the standards they need to attain,” Harper told members of the media via an online Zoom press conference.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, has reiterated the fact that special consideration is given to players who could have physiological limitations or chronic conditions when fitness assessment tests or conducted, as is often the case in standard international practice.
In the light of the omission of batsman Shimron Hetmyer from the West Indies squad, ahead of the tour of Sri Lanka, based on the player failing to meet the requisite fitness standards, critics have pointed fingers towards other members of the team they doubt are able to meet the requirements.
While a few expressed doubts about legendary batsman Chris Gayle’s fitness level, the majority pointed to the continued inclusion of Rahkeem Cornwall. The off-spinner is listed as 6’ 7” and 308 pounds but has performed creditably for the West Indies on a few occasions, most recently against Bangladesh.
“As is best practice around the world, there are going to be times when players for different reasons might be unable or incapable of achieving minimum standards either across the whole battery of tests or certain aspects of it,” Adams told members of the media via a Zoom press conference call.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection panel today named 26 players to participate in a “Best v Best” four-day practice match in preparation for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.
The match will be held on March 8-11 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) ahead of the two Test matches which will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, in Antigua. Several members of the West Indies Test team which beat Bangladesh in the recent series have been named for the match, while other recent Test squad players are participating in the CGI Insurance ODI Series from March 10-14.
CWI Lead Selector Roger Harper explained the concept and outlined the details.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, has insisted players are well aware of the minimum fitness requirements needed to be considered for selection before even individual form is considered.
Adams comments come on the back of the recent non-selection of talented batsman Shimron Hetmyer for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The 24-year-old had looked in splendid form based on scoring a majestic 112 in the semi-finals of the CG Insurance Super50 competition, which lifted Guyana to the final. Hetmyer, however, clearly fell below the 40 percent stipulation.
“The policy asks for a minimum standard in certain aspects of the fitness testing. So on the yoyo intermittent test, that minimum standard is 40 and for a couple of years we have had selection tied to the achievement of that minimum standard,” Adams told members of the media via an online press conference chat on Saturday.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Lendl Simmons scored a match-winning century which showcased the dominance of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force as they easily beat Guyana Jaguars by 152 runs to win the final of the CG Insurance Super 50 Cup on Saturday night.
The opener made 146 off 145 balls with 15 fours and seven sixes as the Red Force scored 362-5 off their 50 overs after being asked to bat first at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. In reply, the Jaguars never kept up with the required run rate and were bowled out for 210 off 45.3 overs. Trinidad and Tobago recorded their seventh win in a row as they played unbeaten throughout the tournament.
