CWI, where are we going?

CWI, where are we going?

Joshua's trials and WI future.Joshua Da Silva was 20 years old when he was drafted into the Trinidad and Tobago team to represent his country in first-class cricket, most young cricketers’ ambition. At the tender age of 22 he achieved his ambition to play for the West Indies.In November/December 2023 in a practical course of on-the-field leadership, Da Silva was chosen to lead the WI "A" team on a tour of South Africa where they played three four-day matches against South Africa "A". He earned this right following his success against Bangladesh "A" earlier that year.Lead selector, the most honourable Dr Desmond Haynes, said the panel picked a balanced team to give the players more exposure in overseas conditions, similarly to the previous "A" team tour to Bangladesh. Haynes added: “Da Silva did an outstanding job as captain in the "Tests" in Bangladesh and he is again the captain for this tour.

By the time he was 26, the young Trinidadian was the first-choice wicketkeeper on the WI team for 33 consecutive Test matches. His deportment, presence of mind, understanding of the game, plus his popularity, had grown so swiftly during that time that he was given the added responsibility of being the vice-captain to then WI skipper, the Barbadian Kraigg Brathwaite.In late 2024 he was the vice-captain of the WI team under Brathwaite on their trip to Pakistan for a two-Test series. Lo and behold, he was unceremoniously dropped from the team for both Tests. There wasn’t a hint of trouble forecast. I understand that he was informed to improve his batting as at his position in the batting order, he was expected to produce runs.Because he was found wanting in this department, the 26 year old, a youthful Test player by any stretch of the imagination, worked on his batting. In the only cricket possible during this time that involved first-class players, the West Indies T20 Breakout League, Da Silva led his TT Legions to championship victory over his rivals.

I’m trying to work out the reason for the removal of Da Silva after 33 Test matches and firstly, to replace him as vice-captain with Jomel Warrican, a useful spin bowler whom, however, I can’t come across any evidence in his background that he has been a captain of any representative team – unless it was in St Vincent, where he was born and is a citizen.Even if he was being trained for the captaincy, I believe one must have experience in leadership. And, I should add, he’s 33 years old – the same age as the new captain, Roston Chase.Da Silva showed his leadership skills, plus his effectiveness which, when added to his ambition, with a team feeding off his motivation, created a fantastic effort of durability, accompanied by the determination to win. It was strictly through perseverance and dynamism, ignited by self-confidence, driven by captain Da Silva, that earned the spoils of victory for the TT team. His batting average was in the mid-sixties in the tournament. It proved the sterling character of the individual, to win this West Indian challenge upon his return to the WI after his humiliation in Pakistan.

CWI kitchen cabinet is not known for its thinking!

In reply to sgtdjones

beautiful end of term essay, but truth be told, DaSilver has zero athleticism, failed as a batter, Wicket keeper, and a Batsman. Imlach and Jangoo, is the way toward for WI.

In reply to Edrich

He is a QPCC boy....

They are ardent supporters of fellow members.

How do you drop the incumbent who did a good job in the last series?

In reply to brians_da_best

$ammy does whatever he wants, rhyme or reason be damned.

In reply to Edrich

Da Siva as a keeper was a mistake. But he is a better batsman than some others that are being touted....and his recent first class record suggests that he should be given the chance as a specialist.

Regarding leadership he at least has the experience and a decent record regionally. Hard to justify him not being high on the list. The Warrican vice cappo thing seems crazy on so many different levels

In reply to sgtdjones

Associate status.

In reply to Edrich


are you on one of the mind altering substances west indians seem to be very fond of now....west indies don't win at brisbane if da silva does not score 79, the top score of the first innings in that test. and he came in at 64-5, which is usual with the top order we have. if you are going to be critical, at least walk with some facys nah....jeez. if i wanted to hide something from some of you, I'd put it in print.

In reply to brians_da_best


pakistan is a rubbish team. they lost to bangladesh last year....at home with a full strength team and lost a test after scoring more than 550. the fact that they prepped turners does not change the fact that THEY ARE A POOR TEAM at the moment. and imlach would not have encountered conditions he was unaccustomed to. guyana similarly has low, slow, muddy wickets that turn sharply. England only lost that series because they do not face those sort of conditions on a regular basis. you'll see how poor this side actually is when Australia whitewash us

[b]In reply to Logic[/

There is a big outcry for Joshua when we got rid of a player and post many negatives about his performance, but in reality, he was a much better performer than Josh after the same number of matches. Your postings are always fair and respectful to all players and I await your reply.

Josh Mat 33/79 avg.24.76 tons 1/5 S/R 41.03
Player S 35/62 avg.29.07 tons 3/9 S/R 46.99

In reply to tc1

dowrich was crap. couldn't bat in england or nz or anywhere remotely alien to WI conditions and couldn't keep their either......and he could barely bat in the wi as well. his numbers, awful though they are are inflated by the fact that he never toured australia or south africa.

He has never scored a hundred against what i consider to be serious opposition.........one against Zimbabwe CCC, one against an england attack that mysteriously did not play either mark wood or stuart broad even though they were both available(if both had played in barbados, the result of that series would have been very different) and one against a Sri Lanka team where no bowler averaged under 30.

How he was dropped was he had a rubbish tour of england during covid, and abandoned the NZ tour that followed 1 test into the series. Da Silva was selected,and scored a half century on debut against a quality nz attack containing boult, kyle jaimeson, southee and wagner. dowrich's performances didn't warrant reselection. Ironically ramdin was dropped on the back of back to back half centuries versus Australia in Australia. That team, captained by holder, was what motivated mark nicholas to call the WI short of brains and quite frankly, holder's teams were not short of that description(choosing to bat first at lords in overcast conditions with a series tied 1-1; taking off oshane and russell with australia 8-5 in the world cup)

In reply to Jumpstart

your defense of Josh seems to be a mere figment of your love for tit players, here is the fact accordingly to cricinfo.

against teams common team:

Aussie Josh avg 20.00 Dow 26.50
India Josh avg.8.33 Dow 28.00
NZ Josh avg 30.00 Dow 14.00
Eng Josh avg 50.00 Dow 23.60
Pak Josh avg 13.75 Dow 27.50
SRL Josh avg 35.00 Dow57.60
Zim Josh avg 56.00 Dow 42.00

Yet you posted Dow is crap , but Josh is great , only a tit could come to that conclusion, but carry on with your insanity.

In reply to tc1

Josh is a symptom of the collective failure of the top order. In the last two tours of australia, josh has come in at the following....in adelaide(in 2022, 6-102 and 6-49)(in 2024, 5-107 and 5-40). At Perth in 2022, he came in at 245-5 which is not bad and he failed to trouble the scores and 5-212. At Brisbane in 2024, he came in at 5-64 and ended up making 79, which was the innings' top score. in the second innings of that test, he came in at 5-148. At Lords last year, he came in at 5-88 and 5-55. at edgebaston after, he came in at 115-5 and 146-5. At trent bridge, he came in at 302 for 5 and scored 82. normal service resumed in the 2nd innings where he came in at 5-82. when we were chasing 260 against SA in guyana with two days to chase them, da silva came in at 5-103. No player can be expected to perform with such incompetence and outright mediocrity surrounding him. that lara did it for over two decades with both TT and the west indies does not mean every player can do it and no player should have to do that anyway

Why this sensation creation.....Silva has not been selected for A- tour...So has Roach, Holder and others...I assume they are surely part of Aussie series..

As far as not appointing Silva as captain....was good move.... toughest opposite.. toughest tours..
Last beat Aus in Caribbean..2004..
Last beat India in India..1996
Last beat N.Z. in N.Z. ..1990...

Silva, young talented...must establish himself as middle order batter... captaincy would unnecessarily destroy his career...let a core team be built in these 8 tests...then Chase may step aside or cast away...As with Powell....

In reply to Jumpstart

What did your rant prove? that Josh was in a team of non- performers and therefore his record should be discounted and should be credited for his 25.00 avg. Bye the way, I assume that Dowrich was batting with Greenridge, Haynes, Viv, Kalli, Rowe and Lloyd for your rant to be respectful.

In reply to tc1

Those guys are as phony as a three-dollar bill. Rest in peace, M W.

The best option for them is to flee the coup. It would be much better for all involved.

In reply to TheTrail

Long time I have seen a post from you, hope all is well with you and you are in full swing do your work.

In reply to tc1



I was on Holiday, moving between Bim and Dom. I had to use up some holidays that were accumulating.

Know what they say about all work and no play!

However, I still have some left for the Aus tour to Bim.

Plus moving out of the lakeshore to the Northern Ontario area. Kids need the outdoors to play around.

In reply to TheTrail

I will be in Bim for the first 2 day of the Aussie tour.

In reply to Jumpstart

The same Ozland that whitewash us last time we met? You lett8ng your emotions get the better of you. Imlach is a better wicketkeeper by miles.

In reply to tc1

Dowrich quit the team, not aware of anyone not picking him!

In reply to sgtdjones
In years gone by WIPA would have taken up his case and win big money for Josh....if he was indeed dropped for no reason.

I don't believe he is dropped

In reply to camos

He never got picked again, Josh lost out to a better wk and an equally better batsman Imlach.

In reply to Narper

Is WIPA still in existence?