BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – West Indies head coach, Phil Simmons has assembled a group of 14 players in a one-week high performance camp focusing on batting and spin bowling. The players, some of whom have played at the international level, have been invited to attend as West Indies look ahead to the upcoming Test match schedule.

The training sessions, which started last weekend, are being conducted under the guidance of the Head Coach, at the West Indies High Performance Centre at the 3Ws Oval.

Simmons said: “The camp is specifically for batsmen and spin bowlers. At this stage, we want the batsmen to focus on getting better against the slow bowlers. We want bowlers to look at ways to improve their art of spin bowling. In the coming months we will have Test matches against India and Pakistan – two higher ranked teams – so we know we will face a lot of spin and we will play against players who are good players of spin. So this camp is planned with those factors in mind.”

Simmons added: “The list of players for this camp does not mean that they have already been selected to play the Test matches. The squads for the India and Pakistan matches will be named at a later date. We have chosen players to work on certain specific areas and to have a closer look at their techniques and skill sets, as we look to prepare for what is ahead of us.”

West Indies are due to play four Tests against India in July and August in the Caribbean and three Tests away to Pakistan in September and October. Another camp, for the West Indies squad for the Tri Nation 50-over series will be held later this month. The players for that camp will be named in the coming days.

 

LIST OF PLAYERS:

Kraigg Brathwaite, Rajendra Chandrik,a Shai Hope

Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich, Leon Johnson

Vishal Singh, Roston Chase, Shamarh Brooks

John Campbell, Imran Khan, Gudekesh Moti-Kanhai

Damion Jacobs, Jomel Warrican

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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Then the opening/fast bowlers will be Holder,Taylor,Carlos Brathwaite and possibly Russell? where is young Joseph from Antigua?
Please WICB and selectors make this thing official--stop the guessing game

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Then the opening/fast bowlers will be Holder,Taylor,Carlos Brathwaite and possibly Russell? where is young Joseph from Antigua?
Please WICB and selectors make this thing official--stop the guessing game
Now I see where it says batsmen and spin bowlers--more confusion

In reply to Stilbatn

I guess they are checking spin bowling actions with spinner coaches, testing some young batsmen against spin, we are very weak against spin bowling and we will be facing both Pakistan and India both deep in spin attack, also checking on test level form and ability of some players prior to official team selection.

The only problem is why call up spinners and not include the best spinner in last regional tournament which was Nikita Miller?

In reply to Slipfeeler

The way the West Indies selectors continually ignore Miller, you'd think that the Test team was thrashing all and sundry, and that the current spinners are taking bags of wickets...on to another deserved thrashing in the summer.

In reply to mikesiva

So at age 34 and a player who has obviously reached a plateau in his spin bowling career and excel only against dung heap regional batsmen who in their right senses would invest in Miller?

It is not that he hasn't been given an opportunity at world class level. He has been given opportunities and has been found wanting.

At this stage it's worth the while investing with young spinners.

Invest in the youth. Miller is dead stock.

It's a good thing some of us are not decision makers.

Allyuh mantra is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.

In reply to Courtesy... you do know that they get better with age. And again a failed selection policy by the WICB.

In reply to natty_forever

How many productive cricketing years has Miller got left?

Is he worth the investment, considering his poor rate of return at international level and at the expense of, I hasten to add, younger players?

And if we are to apply our consistent policy on scab status...

Long live Motie and Chase.

In reply to Courtesy

He was given a very short run and was drop from team without any obvious signs of failure just when he started to entrench himself with the familiarity of international cricket, he was one of our best run saving bowler who could have helped us keeping opponents team score lower, giving us less runs to score. He was no runs truck like I see with some of our current test spin bowlers.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Your flag waving post above does not deserve the use of my time.

When you can understand, less than one wicket per match in 46 ODI's, age, productive years left, investment in younger players, returns, production, potential, without the box thinking, I will dignify your post with an answer.

Please don't bother responding.

NEXT.

In reply to Courtesy... no, but the way he was handled leaves a lot to be desired, hope it don't reach "Motie and Chase".

In reply to natty_forever

Comic relief...Dais all.

In reply to Courtesy

What about Adam Voges who debuted at 35? Sure Australia had 'young' batters but they are allowing a batsman who has been productive at the first class level to be successful at the international level. How long a test career was Australia expecting for someone who debuted at the age of 35? If Voges has 4 good years then its good for him and good for Australia. Why can't the same be said and done for Miller? It doesn't matter if Australia were already winning and could experiment... It could be said that West Indies not winning and need to try performing players too. Spinners also tend to be better with age and are usually less injury prone than older fast bowlers.

(I'm here nor there wrt Miller playing tests. I am mostly countering your point concerning age.)

In reply to BenGman

Mate, if the 34 years are accompanied by great production at the international level. Certainly not in a regional tournament which should be significantly discounted and in a scenario where you have played 46 ODI's with a mediocre performance.

Any spinner worth his salt would have taken more than 41 wickets in 46 ODI matches with only two 4-wicket hauls.

Allyuh need neuronal transplants here.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Benn and Bishoo are not runs trucks...check their stats.

In fact not even Shillingford was a runs truck.

Come on big Cahuna Simmo.

Hire Lara and Shiv as short term batting consultants for this camp.

In reply to Courtesy

Guess you are too ignorant of the fact that Despite Miller's age, he continues to outbowl your best spinners. Guys like you who are so eager to dismiss a genuine player for one a younger less talented player, certainly has not worked out well for WI. Only an idiot continues to do the same thing and hope for a different result. Use the T20 team as an example for selection of any WI team, great blend of youth with experience player.
I repeat Courtesy, Only an idiot expects a different result after continuing with a failed business plan. Check yourself out now!

In reply to Slipfeeler

Isn't this exactly what you are doing...continuing to flag wave for a less than average player at international level?

Brother, Millier has played 46 ODI's with a return of less than one wicket per match. Isn't this a long run and isn't this enough time for selectors and coach to judge his performance on the international stage?

And more importantly, the selectors conclude that because of his advancing age and very limited success at the international level they need to give Motie and Chase a look in and move on...invest in youngsters instead of continuing with business as usual with a mediocre player at best.

Mate, there are players who just do not have the ability to perform at a higher level. We have to recognize this and do the needful.

Chanderpaul was pedigree and he was asked to move on...who the fact is Nakita Miller after 46 ODI's the selectors cannot move on from him?

Give the facting youngsters an opportunity and I hope if they do fail it will not take the selectors 46 ODI's to discover that they are abject failures or shytehounds at international level.

In reply to Courtesy

That is really an unfair characterization of Miller, not sure where you got your assessment of the player but I guess if selectors share your sentiments then I can see why he will never be recalled, since we are so full of quality and consistent players. If all players are assessed as rigidly as Miller, why are there so many mediocre invitees to the ODI team?

In reply to Narper

Glad that Imran Khan finally got his big break hope he makes this best use of it.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Brother, Dinanath Ramnarine had only 4 ODI's before he was dispensed with by selectors.

Nakita Miller could consider himself damn lucky to have survived 46 ODI's with absolutely nothing to write home about.

No one remembers a "wow moment" for Miller in any ODI.

In reply to Courtesy

Facts beat ole talk every time more than 40 ODI matches and only 41 wickets .

Bishoo has only 13 ODI's but has picket up 20 wickets , 26 innings in Test matches and 55 wickets taken .

Even Narine who is not really considered for Tests 6 matches 21 wickets

In reply to Cornfused
Nikita in his only scab filled test against Bangladesh could not even buy a wicket.

Brother, Nakita Miller can continue playing regional cricket with the likes of Devon Smith to eat a little food.

Dais all the charity or social welfare I would grant them.

They have had their fair share of chances.

In reply to Slipfeeler

I'm not implying that Miller should be considered, however, he was given a short test run just like Dave Mohammed. Spin wasn't the WI main attack even with the unproductive fast bowling attack we're had and currently. I have been in support of at least two spinners in the playing eleven test team with two front line quicks and a genuine all rounder. To be successful in test cricket, you MUST be able to take twenty wickets at a decent run rate.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Good question--they call Jacobs,Motie,Imran Khan and Warrican

In reply to Courtesy

I know it is justifiable to use wicket taking as the normal indicator for a bowler's success and I concede that internationally Miller was not a strike bowler, but his strength lies in his capability of reducing opposing teams run rate and that is a bowler we need for long bowling spells especially when our fast bowlers are no longer quick and our medium pacers have difficulties finding their line and rhythm.

In reply to Slipfeeler

That argument only holds true when you have other wicket taking bowlers on a side. When a front line spinner takes less than a wicket per match in 46 ODI's he has to be dispensed with in much the same way that Dinanath Ramnarine was vanquished after similar figures but after only 4 ODI's.

And IMHO, Dinanath Ramnarine was a better spinner that Nakita Miller. In fact, Miller is not a spinner, he is a roller who uses variation in speed in an attempt to get wickets...not the standard you need for international level.

In reply to Courtesy

Well your argument supports the fact that a Narine and Miller or Bishoo combination would have augor well for WI.

In reply to Slipfeeler

It also supports the fact that Nakita Miller on his own is a shytehound.

His strength lies in regional cricket where he can own a social welfare package for another two or three years.

In reply to Courtesy

Well your argument also suggest that your bowlers must be more than your unkind description of Miller, if he continues year after year to outbowl them, hence by reason they should have been no where close to any WI team, much less selected.

In reply to Courtesy... sad really, because that sums up the level of our cricket as I stats will show Miller as a top three bowler season after season at the regional level. Watching if your youngsters can ever produce such figures.

In ODIs has he done any worse than other spinners before him and those selected a head of him with legal actions?

Which reminds me, one of the top three has a suspect action. Mmmmm


Justice for Miller, perfect for the ODI team as he can also bat.


In other words with spinners we need to be patient, 46 ODIs is nothing in todays scheme of games played.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Brother, let me make you understand this thing:

You cannot bowl Miller in the first ten powerplay overs in an ODI.

You can only bowl him between overs 10 and 30. He does nothing with the ball...but he does not take wickets.

So a team with wickets in hand in the last 20 will murder any bowler who bowls in the last 20 overs.

You need a bowler who can be economical but take wickets to bowl overs 10-20.

And 46 ODI's is more than enough time for Miller to prove his worth.

Nikita Miller and similar type bowlers are useless in that regard.

Dis done.

NEXT.

In reply to Courtesy

... rubbish. It seems you suffer from the same sickness of our captains ... not having a clue how to use a spinner or fields to set.

In reply to natty_forever

So after 46 ODI's all captains Miller played under used him badly?

Don't expose your arse.

46 ODI's....41 wickets. Is that your standard for a front line (spinner) bowler?

In reply to Courtesy

You are sadly mistaken, and cannot make up summation of a bowler's capabilities. What evidence do you have that you cannot bowl him during a power play? Actually that his strength, he might not get the wicket but the batsman is not going to score during his bowling, as his role is to keep scoring at a minimum. Plus he has never been called for any suspect action and the guy is a great middle order batsman.
Now you have permission to dismiss yourself!

In reply to Slipfeeler

Brother, in the modern ODI game you cannot afford front line bowlers who cannot take wickets especially in the middle overs. It is as simple as that.

And 46 ODI's is sufficient time for anyone to judge the quality of a bowler.

That's an entire career for a lot of bowlers.

.....................

BTW, any cricketer who cannot perform two out of the three departments of the game exceptionally well does not merit a place on any international side except if you are a world class bowler or batsman.

And Btw guys, if you can make a case based solely on economy rate for Miller then that same case can be made for Sammy.

Guess what?...the following are their economy rates in ODI's:

Nikita Miller.........4.65.
Darren Sammy.....4.66.

And I will never make a case for Sammy based on the above.

In reply to Slipfeeler

You just got to deal with the facts man. 46 matches, 41 wickets and age 34. Who in their right mind would pick this guy when there were exceptional returns from youngsters in the local competitions?

New blood is the way to go..... how much worse can they do?

In reply to Slipfeeler


don't get involved with that no history hotair nincompoop




check this

when di ambassador's (who was di first social welfare cappo ) package ran out he jumped ship and cussed off di board

In reply to ponderiver

Notice his subtle and casual dismissal of his boy Sammy, that he wouldn't promote him based on his bowling ODI rate, so when he was all over the boards been one of Sammy's biggest advocate, he don't know Sammy's stats? I wonder what was his basis then for promoting his boy? Certainly not batting.

In reply to Slipfeeler

Never made a case for Sammy here mate or anywhere else mate. Get your facts right. Your credibility has been totally destroyed.

You are now viewed as someone who will lie or say anything to save your neck.

I'll tell bluntly, your neck is not worth saving by telling falsities.

In reply to Courtesy

I might have been mistaken but wasn't you and VOR in tandem on the boards strongly supporting Sammy?

In reply to Slipfeeler

when you have no history the temptation is to create one

hence the obsession with archives......... Imagine yuh in a rum shop and yuh can't join in di conversation about di time when you were a king

now when it comes to waxing lyrical ,singing kaiso he salop sakafeting or whatever bout di social welfare cappo man have chat fuh days not to mention the heady days when helicoper Landings at Lords was all di rage .....yuhzimi

In reply to Slipfeeler

I repeat...I have never made any case for Sammy here mate.

I have however made the comment that "Sammy needs to do a lot more if he is to continue as skipper."

Again, get your facts right.

You are exposing what you really are.

In reply to Courtesy

Ok I am man enough to withdraw that post, if you say it wasn't you!

In reply to Slipfeeler

Brother, before you cast aspersions on anyone, please make sure you are in the clear.

Always use the archives if it will assist you in making your case.

In reply to Slipfeeler

when Sammy was made cappo WI was facing a split and Sammy was the best man to bridge the gap. i supported his captaincy and will always do so. however he should have resigned when the WI brought back Gayle or after Gibson was fired/ resigned.

Wonder how Sarwan is these days he was truly shafted when the social welfare cappo was appointed





Justice for Sars

In reply to ponderiver

of course he was. he could not come out the house for weeks. since then he has withdrawn from at least one team and another team withdrew him. nevertheless i wish him all the best.

In reply to ponderiver

Sarwan who was one of our very best ODI player was so poorly mistreated and mismanaged by WICB, makes one resign to the fact that there is no loyalty or commitment by WICB towards its players.

[b]In reply to natty_forever[/b

take out Jacobs and put Miller in , yardie fuh yardie, even swap