The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket
When Ramnaresh Sarwan made his test debut in 1999 he was seen as a young talented batsman perfectly suited for test cricket. It was Common to hear it being said that the young man had a lot of talent but lacked the stamina, power and aggression to be an effective one day player.
Were they ever wrong. Sarwan now has the second best ODI average of any player ever at 51.04, behind Micheal Bevan of Australia.
Veteran Jamaican cricket columnist Tony Becca believes the decision to pick a 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup in South Africa next year is "a waste of time."
"It is a waste of time for three simple reasons. The first reason is that with the World Cup scheduled to start on February 9, with the West Indies idle between now and then and with the regional tournament set to start on January 31, there will be no other opportunity to assess the players in match conditions," Becca said.
What's the story with Barbadian spinner Sulieman Benn? That's the question on the lips of West Indies cricket fans following a strange press release from the WICB that says his availability for selection in the 15-man World Cup squad is being "closely monitored."
Even though the lanky left-armer was withdrawn from the Barbados training squad for disciplinary reasons, his name was mysteriously included in the provisional 30-man World Cup squad. If he was not allowed to play for Barbados because of indiscipline, why was he chosen for the senior West Indies team?
"I'm definitely ready for the World Cup" were the words of the normally reticent Neil McGarrell the morning after he had learnt that he was selected on the West Indies provisional squad of 30 for next year's World Cup.
The 30-year old Guyanese revealed that though it had taken a bit longer than he expected; to be reconsidered (for a place in the senior side), the news did not come as a surprise to him, since the selectors and fans alike, are fully aware of his unpretentious blue collar work ethic, and his strong desire to meaningfully represent the West Indies.
Since the departure of Jeffrey Dujon at the end of 1991, the West Indies selectors have been at their collective wits end to find a dependable wicket-keeper/batsman, and not just a wicket-keeper. So they tried David Williams, Junior Murray and Courtney Browne who all let them down, before settling on Ridley Jacobs who was already on the north side of 30.
Jacobs, with his solid glove work and forthright batting, turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. With him being all of 32 years when he made his Test debut it was imperative that a youngster be groomed to take over when he exits the scene.