ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Legend Brian Lara believes the rookie batting pair of Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze possess the attributes to succeed at the highest level, despite lacking extensive first-class experience.

McKenzie, 22, along with Athanaze, 24, were both named in the West Indies squad for the first Test against India starting here next week.

While Athanaze has already featured in 30 first-class games, McKenzie has played only nine, but Lara said their willingness to listen and learn could prove critical for them.

"They are very capable players — young. Of course, you would love if they had a lot more experience, especially in the first-class arena, but looking at their style of play, their attitude, they do have what it takes to perform at the highest level," said Lara, who is West Indies' performance mentor for the upcoming series.

Read more at Jamaica Observer

What a crappy and misleading article. The island biases that’s still affecting us as a region is clearly seen. The author started by quoting what Brian Lara thinks about Kit McKenzie and Alick Athanaze. Sadly, the author went on to give the stats of McKenzie but said absolutely nothing about Alick Athanaze except that he played 34 FC games, as if the author is pushing for McKenzie to be in the final 11 at the expense of Arthanaze. The author, in reference to McKenzie said this: “ The left-hander also sparkled with a half-century on his recent One-Day International debut against United Arab Emirates.” People it was Alick Arthanaze the played his first ODI against UAE and scored a brilliant half century. It’s we get our facts right and stop our big island/ small island biases