FORMER Jamaica cricket coach Junior Bennett believes the fragility of the West Indies batting line-up could see Nkrumah Bonner make his Test debut in the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

Bonner, 31, was a member of the reserve group of players for the summer tour of England and the recent trip to New Zealand.

The Caribbean side lost 1-2 and 0-2, respectively, with the batting found woefully wanting during both series, giving rise to calls that the Jamaican middle-order batsman is long overdue his big break.

“The selection panel must be thinking about giving Bonner a chance in the next series based on his performances in the last first-class season and the fact that he toured with the team to England and New Zealand and did not get an opportunity,” Bennett told the Jamaica Observer.

Read more at The Jamaica Observer

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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Well it would be interesting to see if Bonner would be given a chance, the question would be in place of who and in front of who, especially when Pooran and Hetmyer are waiting in the wing.

In reply to dayne

Pooran not gonna succeed in test ... and Hety is heading into early retirement... that concussion thing will create doubts moving forward

i really hope not for Hety's sake as we all want him to succeed and fulfil his potential. Bonner can only play as opener or No. 3 so it is Kraigg or Brooks who should be looking over a shoulder while heading to the nets. I would give Bonner a chance, actually. Did he play for the A team against NZ? If so, he did not shine but then again only Shepherd did.

Why is Nkrumah Bonner on any International team?
He has an average of 27.22 after 10 years playing regional and first class cricket, thats about 13-14 average at the international level.

Bonner has been named to the test squad for 2 series and has been among the reserves. He's a specialist batsman and the batting has failed in those 2 series. He should at least get a shot at the starting XI to show what he can do.

In reply to imusic
Bro, Bonner had one good regional tournament after 10 years, and was selected to the touring team, it was not like he had 2-3 very good regionals.
Thats our problem, players like him, Carter and Brookes should be assisting the younger batsman at the regional level.
When I was a youngster, older fans used to say, these type players get a tour.

In reply to openning

But the batting has failed. He's been a reserve. What's the point naming him to the squad if he doesn't get an opportunity?

In reply to openning

Therein lies the genesis of an even bigger problem. Those three batsmen have technical chinks with the exception of brooks. Are you going to ask them to propagate faulty techniques? Rudi Webster in his column last week said that that was the biggest problem that shell academy coaches told him about together with general lack of match awareness.

there will be fewer batting failures in Banga so I don't see Bonner getting in.

In reply to Jumpstart
They are among the best experience batsman in the BCA, scored runs at the regional level, I put them in the role of a Devon Smith.
Regional teams need a few experience players in the mix.
None of them should be elevated.
Over a dozen years ago, a bajan poster pointed me to Brookes, I've watched him since then.
It took him many years to score a ton in bim, and that ton came from tape ball cricket.
He is the sweet heart of some Bajan cricket fans.

In reply to openning
His place as a reserve is a sharp reminder that the cupboard is bare

In reply to openning

What is the problem with Bonner's average now? I really do not understand you guys. When you have a player that works on his game, give the guy a break... bout this damn average.

In reply to Philjam

It sucks.
I just dont get it, a bowler performing annually and taking 51 wickets the last regional, a batsman after 10 years of failure scoring two tons in his last tournament, can be selected.

In reply to openning

What was Brookes' average when he made the WI team?

In reply to Headley
.

why the question?

In reply to openning

You want Paintwhite for life in that opening spot. It can’t get any funnier than this.

DEDING WID LAF.