Going into the opening weekend of the 2003 Carib Cup First Class
season, injuries to major performers are already set to play a
major role in at least two of the teams slated to play
tomorrow.
In addition to Marlon Samuels of Jamaica who was withdrawn from
the Jamaican team with a knee injury, Cameron Cuffy and Fernix
Thomas, the two main strike bowlers for the Windwards, are both
expected to miss the opening game against Barbados at Arnos Vale
due to indeterminate injuries.
West Indies senior team selector Gordon Greenidge will miss the
upcoming Carib Beer Cup first class tournament in the Caribbean
because, according to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), he "has
been seconded to help Bangladesh prepare for the same
competition."
Understanding that Greenidge needs to earn a living (West Indies
selectors are unpaid volunteers), we believe the former opening
batsman should immediately resign as his work with Bangladesh
constitutes a clear conflict of interest.
Jamaican batsman Marlon Samuels has yielded to the West Indies
Cricket Board (WICB) request to avoid competitive cricket and will
not play in this weekend's Carib Beer Cup match against the
Leewards.
Samuels' U.S.-based Agent John Pinnock issued a statement saying
a decision has been reached to have Samuels pull out of the Jamaica
team and travel to New York to get an evaluation on the barking
left knee from WICB physician Dr Ainsworth Allen on Friday. "From
New York, Marlon will travel to Baltimore to get a second opinion
from one of the premier knee surgeons in the world," the statement
said.
The Caribbean's most controversial knee will be examined by the
surgeon who operated on the knee of the world's greatest basketball
player.
Sources tell CaribbeanCricket.com that Washington Wizards team
doctor Stephen Haas will examine the cranky knee of Jamaican
batsman Marlon Samuels in the U.S. next Tuesday, the day after the
first round Carib Beer Cup match ends.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), for its inconsistencies,
lack of transparency and illogical decision-making, is generating
distrust and disgust among knowledgeable cricket fans across the
region. I have personally expressed displeasure at their
clandestine operational mode and maintain that things are not as
they should be.
However, in all fairness, I give credit where it is due, and
this is one such occasion...
