West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran will have the chance to show off his Test cricket credentials in upcoming First-Class matches during the tour of New Zealand.

Recently, calls have grown louder for the 25-year-old batsman to be included in the team for the game’s longest format.  Pooran has put together a string of impressive performances in both the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Indian Premier League (IPL) convincing some, including legendary West Indian batsman Viv Richards, that some of that success can be translated to the four-day format.

"There was a lot of consideration given to Nicholas Pooran; we are still looking at it and I am sure as we move forward, Pooran will have an opportunity as well,” Harper said.

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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Yeah, we wouldn't want to disrupt a winning team by including arguably the best batsman in the region.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Good News, but it should not come to Pooran having to prove himself, he has a 49 runs per inning average in ODI's.

Dangling that kind of “you need to prove yourself first” nonsense in front of a Franchise cricket millionaire is a dangerous game...at least make the guy feel he can contribute to your project for goodness sake. Jeez. He already said he is interested. But you looking for master/slave type begging for a pick.

In reply to Halliwell

Can there be different criteria for poor and millionaire player to be selected for regional cricket...Pooran no doubt can be our next world class batter which West Indies desperately needs...but mere interest to play test cricket can't be enough.... quite rightly board has given him short cut to test cricket by giving him opportunity in 1st class match in N.Z......

In reply to Onionman0

Excellent attempt at a red herring my boy! But not quite good enough.

You, like Viv, very well know this isnt about poor vs millionaire cricketers
It’s about mediocre potential vs exceptional potential

But you knew that already

In reply to Halliwell i totally disgree i don't see anthing with him auditioning for a place in this team like anybody else but it seems people want special treatment for
certain players if he is good enough then there should not be a problem

means nothing how much does hope average in one day cricket compared to test cricket

In reply to Halliwell

I like Pooran. He's far and away my favourite of the young players in the Caribbean at the moment.

But I do believe he's only played about 3 first class matches with a highest score of 55 and an average of 23. I don't see any problem with the selectors wanting to see how he performs in 4 day cricket over an extended time before they rush him into the deep end against the likes of Boult, Southee, and Wagner in NZ conditions.

If the Test series was against Bangladesh on some dead wickets I would say they could have taken a punt and give him a go. But Pooran needs to show he has the goods to play 4 day cricket. Simple.

In reply to velo

Holding got special treatment
Fidel Edwards got special treatment
Marlon Samuels got special treatment
Chanderpaul to some extent got special treatment
Viv similarly. Is not like he was lighting up Shell Shield cricket before he got picked for WI


WI has a long history of “fast tracking” players into the team. Some more successfully than others.

They already know what Pooran can do. They just being pedantic and giving the illusion that they are being accommodating.

In reply to SnoopDog

Agree Snoop!

What $hite is dis. U pick a player as a reserve on de test team who hasn played a List A game and has played 4 or so T20s and have all dese criteria for a established international player

In reply to Maispwi

Ent! That throws ALL talk about showing a player has the goods to play 4 day cricket, completely out the window.

In reply to Maispwi

That's why that player was selected as a 'reserve'.

When Pooran eventually gets his chance it will be in the playing XI and not some 'reserve' water boy role. Hopefully he can demonstrate his ability to play 4 day red ball cricket when he gets a chance to do that and he will earn his selection.

I'm glad they are not going to expose the kid to the cauldron of Test cricket against Boult and Co. and when he fails gets consigned to the dustbin.

Mek Harper KHS,he was given 25 Tests to prove himself and couldn't do it,lucky skunt.

In reply to granite

Such nasty bitterness

In reply to FuzzyWuzzy
When I give yuh skunt a fact is bitterness,you just carry on climbing on the other crabs you wouldn't get out.
Harper was given 25 tests when WIndies selectors kept saying,"we doh need spinners we got pace",he Harper was picked as an off spinner who can bat,how lucky can some people be.If you think that bitter then KYS.

In reply to granite bin Laden

Okay. Now tell us how you really feel.

In reply to Halliwell

Mediocre potential Vs exceptional potential.... that's the only reason he is being given short cut to test cricket...he should be happy for the opportunity given to him and grab it with both hands...most of us would be happy if he succeeds...but at the same time twig in the rule for selection ... creates animosity and drop in intensity, among players who performed in regional 4 day cricket and had to be satisfied with being selected as reserves.....

In reply to imusic Harper just giving the appearance of being politically correct. Pooran will be fast tracked.

In reply to natty_forever

I think you have made the best point here. You have managed to see on the other side of what's in front of you

Harper can also say how the rest of the top 6 batsmen have proven themselves so far. They were all shamed on the England tour.
Harper is just trying to hide his shame or failure as a WI selector by picking Pooran.
Didn't the Trini opener prove himself in the warm up matches but still out out to the failures at the opening spot who are given another chance again to fail.
So a big steuups to the CWI and their continuation of failed policies.

I hope he declines and concentrates on serious cricket.

I fully expect that in the future Pooran will make the same decision as those before him if and when faced with the prospect of foregoing significant T20 dollars to play for the West Indies. Same for Hetmyer and the other young guns. Human beings are motivated by self interest

In reply to SnoopDog

Due to the depression in the region for good batsmen my choices for the test squad:

Holder (C)
Kraigg Brathwaite (RHB)
Joshua DaSilva (RHB/WK)
Shamarh Brooks (RHB)
Darren Bravo (LHB)
Shimron Hetmyer (LHB)
Jermaine Blackwood (RHB)
Roston Chase (RHB/RAS)
Nickolas Pooran (LHB/WK)
Akeil Hosein (LAS/LHB)
Shane Dowrich (RHB/WK)
Shannon Gabriel (RAF)
Chemar Holder (RAF)
Alzarri Joseph (RAF)
Keemo Paul (RAFM/RHB)
Kemar Roach (RAMF)

Who else?

CWI made a mistake with Archer let us don't repeat it since we are already in a depression for good batsmen.