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HEADLINE: WICB XI Squads Named

 
CaribbeanCricket.com May 6, 2004, 9:40:47 AM 

Exactly a year to the day after being reported to the ICC for having an illegal action, fast bowler Jermaine Lawson has been picked to don the West Indies colours. The Jamaican fast bowler has been named to represent the WICB XI in two warm-up matches against Bangladesh later this month. The first is a one-day game in St Vincent on May 12 and the other is a three-day match in Grenada from May 22-24. [url=http://www.caribbeancricket.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1396&mode=&order=0&thold=0]Full Story[/url]

 
defeyeant May 6, 2004, 9:43:52 AM 

how come powell aint mek nun a dem squads? he set fa de tests aready??

 
Yamfoot May 6, 2004, 9:50:23 AM 

David Bernard Jr is playing league cricket in England in Liverpool. I hope he can get the release. It would suit him to come, even though it's Bangladesh. make sure and stay in the loop.

 
caliente May 6, 2004, 9:56:20 AM 

So what about Thomas & Richardson???

 
GTRudeboy May 6, 2004, 9:56:58 AM 

What kinda teams is that. They give up on Marshall already. No Maraj, no Thomas, no Richie, no Fudadin. They finally banish Cannabis.

 
tops May 6, 2004, 10:09:47 AM 

Why is Ramdin, a wicket keeper, and Baugh, a keeper as well, are selected for the 1st game? Wouldn't it be more productive to have selected another player instead of two keepers? Even if they argue Baugh will be left out, why not selected someone else for the experience?

 
carl0002 May 6, 2004, 10:23:13 AM 

You think the WIBC idiots would have named Powell in the 3 day squad or is it as defeyant said, he is a foregone conclusion that he is now designated 12 man for the senior team. Not that he should have been included, but you think they would want to take a look at Sammy. May be thats good any way, next thing Sammy go score a couple of centuries and think he should just walk back unto the team. Well at least they did not include Ganga. Yu know, I should tek another look just to mek sure. Whew!!!! that was close. No Ganga. Perhaps they have finally given up just like the rest of us

 
defeyeant May 6, 2004, 10:33:18 AM 

carl ya had me frighten when ya mention ganga. If Bernard in Liverpool he aint coming back ta play nuh curry goat cricket when he pun contract. THis is just like when dem leff powell out of the carib beer xi and the other teams that play against england and then he din play no competitive cricket till the 4th test. rather silly. I think Baugh in the one day side as a batsman and ramdin would keep. Them other youngsters that were mentioned gotta hold strain an wait till next year

 
jacksprat May 6, 2004, 10:37:47 AM 

Only two mild surprises surrounding this squad: Samuels is missing & Ganga was not named captain! Only two conlusions come to mind regarding Ganga: the selectors have finally abandoned this failed experiment, or his game for the first test is secure. Don't be surprised if the latter were the case because Darlin Daren was always given a lower threshold than every other player.

 
armchair May 6, 2004, 10:39:25 AM 

I am surprised that Ramdin is captain over Wavel Hinds, and a number of other players in the team - seems he is highly thought of. It appears that a few players in the 3 day game are playing for one or two slots in the test team against Bangladesh, it will be interesting to see what happens.

 
Spectator May 6, 2004, 10:41:33 AM 

No Ravi Rampaul!!! Does that mean he is a sure thing for England??? I guess Ramdhin is a FWIC in training!! Like is only Trini has leadership skills! Do I see a pattern here?????

 
Rastaman May 6, 2004, 10:48:44 AM 

In reply to Spectator:Dem man desperate fi keep things politically astute, eh??? Jah Jah see dem a come!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:

 
carib May 6, 2004, 10:52:32 AM 

Look, jacksprat et al need to forget the Ganga bogeyman. ganga was tried and tried( maybe a couple too many times) and now is done. Samuels probably is done too, unless he can convince the Board of his fitness beyond a reasonable doubt. The Board has probably decided its time to move on. Powell must also be considered yesterdays news as well. tough, but life moves on. Nobody has given up on Marshall or Maraj. Just that there are only so many people you can pick for two teams. I believe Richardson & Thomas are playing league cricket in England( good for them!) surprised that Ramdin was chosen as captain, Maybe he will be a LT cappo choice, after Sarwan ( or in competition with?) . Now THATS forward planning! 8)

 
Cameron May 6, 2004, 10:54:19 AM 

In reply to Spectator:

guess Ramdhin is a FWIC in training!! Like is only Trini has leadership skills! Do I see a pattern here?????
Are you saying that if he indeed shows leadership potential he should be disqualified because he is Trini? BTW is Sarwan from Trinidad?

 
BigRab May 6, 2004, 11:07:58 AM 

I know for a fact Thomas is playing in England. You'll have to ask Yamfoot about Richardson. Seems Joseph has another oppurtunity to make a name for himself. I thought he deserved a bit more than just one ODI. And I thought Hinds deserved a chance. Maybe the selectors have given up on him for the present.

 
caliente May 6, 2004, 11:10:46 AM 

Ricchardson is also playing league in England.

 
Daya May 6, 2004, 11:24:51 AM 

caribbeancricket.com rules! these teams are not yet on windiescricket.com

 
Spectator May 6, 2004, 11:27:04 AM 

In reply to Cameron: I almost said Rasta! :lol: Not at all Cameron! Its just a rhetorical question.

 
Theo May 6, 2004, 2:35:47 PM 

Things are no looking good for Marlon Samuels here.

 
garyg May 6, 2004, 3:48:20 PM 

Sammy has nothing to worry about. He is young, has the talent . just need to make sure he is fully fit and go make lots of runs. certain selectors a give him a fight but they can`t keep a good man down. Our batting is very weak if the oitch is noit flat. sammuy future is secure if he is fit and gwaan mek runs. there is none to keep him out. Even if him tek a next year fine. Viv wopn`t last forever. Finally, i happy they don`t pick Xavier . he is the future, . don`t pick him and mess him up too soon. he has everything, just needs time. Viv also very unfair to powell but he must keep fighting, richardson too. Oz ay expose their folly next year, yet again.

 
FanAttick May 6, 2004, 4:23:39 PM 

Where the HELL is POW POW?? This cant be facting right. Is there a C.Paul in there?? They must mean R.Pow.

 
buds May 6, 2004, 4:37:54 PM 

Where the fact is:Richardson; Taylor and DPowell? I nuh know weh a gwaan wid the odder dor island so mi jus a mek a point. No Richardson or DPowell? Is Richardson and DP in England? As I said, WIC fugg up real bad.

 
GTRudeboy May 6, 2004, 4:53:05 PM 

In reply to buds: I think the selectors have dumped Powell. I don't think he will play for WI again. I could be wrong though. I forgot about Taylor. I wonder what they are doing with him.

 
carib May 6, 2004, 5:03:28 PM 

Taylor is apparently suffering from some mystery injury. I doubt he'll be back this year. Washington is apparently the next new thing. Allyuh asking about Richardson, read the WHOLE thread. Fan Attic, I think your boy may be on the outs again. :)

 
sensie May 6, 2004, 5:29:53 PM 

Nice to see Omari in. He should be in the one day squad as well. I think Ravi and Braddie in trouble. You think they write off them man? Would have liked to see Fudadin, Maharaj and Richardson in there somewhere. How about Felix Thomas? NO MARLON SAMUELS..hmmmmm. Bad move.

 
Star May 6, 2004, 6:09:00 PM 

:lol: Selectors are spot on with the Ramdhin selection. Can't question that at all.

 
Yamfoot May 6, 2004, 7:30:56 PM 

Fernix Thomas is in England. so too are Bernard Jr and Richardson. Jerome Taylor practised with the team at UWI in Barbados last Tuesday. I didn't see him bowl and I was there for most of the practice session. He just participated in fielding.

 
Wally-1 May 6, 2004, 7:47:33 PM 

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com:

WICB XI Squads Named
this is total rubbish.....how can they name ramdin to captain wavell hinds...foolishness......i hope the ja cricket board take a note of whats happening in wi cricket.

 
Pacy May 6, 2004, 8:19:17 PM 

I was worried about Richardson, Thomas not in the team but hearing that they are in England I an really happy about the team. Not problems here. Benett, Lawson and Washington. Not bad at all. Out of these only washington is a suspect. Ramadin was the captain and it is good news since he did well in the U-19 Cappo and this experience will only help for WI future. Hinds, well he is 26/27 already. Lara is the cappo for atleast a year from now. Sarwan will be the cappo next and unless he is not too good Hinds cannot take that place. By the time he is even considered for cappo he will be 30+ so not too important to give him captaincy

 
buds May 7, 2004, 1:13:51 AM 

Well, glad to hear that Richardson is in England. But, Ramdin over Hinds as Cappo is a slap in the face! Apparantly, Taylor is still injured.Glad to see that Lawson is back fr his rehab. Competition is good so Baugh will have to be more productive with the glove as well as the bat. They are looking at this guy Ramdin to replace Jacobs.

 
Timpy May 7, 2004, 2:31:04 AM 

Baugh has a lot of work to do. Giving Ramdin captain is a clear indication that he is now ahead of Baugh in the pecking order. And you know seh mi no sorry fi Baugh though. He got some golden opportunity and waste it.

 
DAVE May 7, 2004, 2:51:59 AM 

LET THE TRANSITION COMMENCE I would like to see Sarwan given the One day Captaincy at least after England, if not beginning with the England tour this coming summer. Like what England has done, to good effect, with Vaughan /Hussain and Pontin /Waugh in Australia?s case. This method has been employed by Australia for some time now, which has tended to sought out the men from the boys. It also gives the Captain in waiting a chance to grow into the job and with the invaluable gaining of international experience as captain and as the country's ambassador. In fact I would like to see this transitional move experimented with in this coming home series against Bangladesh. This process could last as long as and up until Lara officially retires which I prefer from a West Indies point of view, or resigns as Captain, if that should become necessary. We need to get ready for the English summer and 2007 World Cup, therefore : LET THE TRANSITION COMMENCE W Indies Vs Bangladesh ONE DAY- 13 R Sarwan ? Cap B C Lara- Vic Captain C Gayle S Canderpaul R Powell D Smith S Joseph C Baugh + D Washington J Lawson T Best D Bravo C Collymore TEST - 14 B C Lara- Cap R Sarwan ? V Cap C Gayle Dev. Smith S Chanderpaul Dwa. Smith R Jacobs + C Baugh R Powell J Lawson F Edwards T Best P Colins C Collymoore BEWARE Bangladesh they will not be a pushover in the batting department.

 
Wally-1 May 7, 2004, 3:50:00 AM 

In reply to buds:

They are looking at this guy Ramdin to replace Jacobs.
I just have to laugh at these idiots....u-19 cricket and test cricket are like night and day...he's gonna have to play and get his nose bloody for a while.

 
MarcusGarveyLives May 7, 2004, 11:15:50 AM 

The Lawson issue is interesting. It seems that there are West Indies fans who had hoped that his career was finished: [url=http://www.caribbeancricket.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=18671&highlight=lawson][color="red"]Here[/color][/url] [url=http://www.caribbeancricket.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=14545&highlight=lawson][color="red"]Here[/color][/url] [url=http://www.caribbeancricket.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=14312&highlight=lawson][color="red"]Here[/color][/url]

 
carl0002 May 7, 2004, 11:21:52 AM 

Unless this fellow Ramdin can bat very well or learn to bat very well he will never make it into the WI team. WI not looking for a pure wicket keeper, deh looking for a batsman who can keep.

 
MarcusGarveyLives May 7, 2004, 11:38:48 AM 

Wasn't the same Ramdin voted the best batsman in the last domestic under-19s competition?

 
StevieC May 7, 2004, 11:41:51 AM 

In reply to carl0002: agreed..and the only way to find out is to play him in these games..

 
MarcusGarveyLives May 7, 2004, 11:42:37 AM 

Try [url=http://www.caribbeancricket.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=14260&highlight=browne+ramdin+baugh][color="red"]this[/color][/url].

 
carl0002 May 7, 2004, 12:03:04 PM 

In reply to StevieC: Don't get me wrong I was not saying that Ramdin should not play in these games. Quite to the contrary of course he should play. Why the WI have persisted with this failed experiment in Baugh is beyound me. I am glad it came back to bite the Yardies in the final when Baugh dropped 2 key catches, practically handing the game to Bim. They removed the better keeper and inserted Baugh and it cost them big time.

 
StevieC May 7, 2004, 12:10:40 PM 

In reply to Wally-1: "this is total rubbish.....how can they name ramdin to captain wavell hinds...foolishness......i hope the ja cricket board take a note of whats happening in wi cricket" Pray tell, WHAT's happening in WI cricket?

 
carl0002 May 7, 2004, 12:29:10 PM 

In reply to StevieC: Sometimes I have to really wonder, if the selectors and WIBC, ever sit down and think about some of the decisions they are about to make. If they step back for a moment and ask themselves if what they do mek sense. Its hard to believe that they do. I don't think they think at all.

 
buds May 7, 2004, 6:08:06 PM 

Wally: I hate to see Baugh get the axed but, this is WI cricket we dealing with. There is no method to the madness. They all going on hunches. Why would Ramdin Captain a side over Hinds who has been marked for Captaincy long before! Makes no sense. They are looking to see....nutting wrong wid dat. Is he the real deal? We will see in a few years if Ramdin is good enough.

 
archangel May 8, 2004, 3:40:32 AM 

In reply to carl0002: Really man! I wonder if we think about the things we say before we say it. How can Baugh at the age of 20 or there abouts be a failed experiment?

 
Unknown May 8, 2004, 4:35:59 AM 

Ramdin will prove to have Dujon's talent with de bat. If yuh watch him in de World Cup Under 19 then it's easy to see.

 
Wally-1 May 8, 2004, 4:56:55 AM 

In reply to buds:

WICB XI ONE-DAY SQUAD: Dinesh Ramdin (captain) Wavell Hinds Kurt Wilkinson Sylvester Joseph Lendl Simmons Ryan Hinds Narsingh Deonarine Carlton Baugh (Jr) David Bernard (Jr) Jason Bennett Jermaine Lawson Dwight Washington WICB XI THREE-DAY SQUAD Sylvester Joseph (Captain) Devon Smith Kurt Wilkinson Dwayne Smith Dwayne Bravo Omari Banks Carlton Baugh (Jr) David Bernard (Jr) Jason Bennett Jermaine Lawson Dwight Washington Dave Mohammed The manager and coach of the two teams will be announced at a later date.
Wally: I hate to see Baugh get the axed but, this is WI cricket we dealing with. There is no method to the madness. They all going on hunches.
[color="red"]Baugh [/color]was named in both squads buds...where's the ax?

 
Wally-1 May 8, 2004, 5:01:14 AM 

In reply to buds: my major problem is that ramdin shouldn't be captain over either of the hinds.....sammy should've also be included but he's still probably not fully match fit....deonarine was included to meet the quota.

 
Unknown May 8, 2004, 5:12:53 AM 

In reply to Wally-1: Read between de lines. Wavell Hinds might have been a vice cap in de past shall never skipper de windies & Ramdin is a future skip. Simple as dat.

 
Bendedknees May 8, 2004, 6:22:35 AM 

In reply to garyg: If Samuels and all ah Jamaica had listen to Richards he knee would not have been buss up. Damn idjut!

 
jacksprat May 8, 2004, 6:36:34 AM 

In reply to Bendedknees: Maybe I missed it, but from which medical school did Dr. I. Vivian Richards graduate? Samuel did the right thing because, according to the advice of those who actually are qualified medical practicioners,(and did not receive their medical degrees like some useless honorary knighthood), Samuels' condition is chronic and there is no guarantee of a full recovery, even if he had done the radical surgery that Dr Richards and others were suggesting. If Richards and his band of fools can not be trusted to make logical cricketing decisions ( a role for which they are presumably qualified by virtue of stellar cricket careers), relying instead on hunches, why should their medical advice be subscribed to, considering they are unqualified to offer any?

 
sensie May 8, 2004, 8:03:32 AM 

Got inside info Ravi on senior team to tame the Bengali tigers.

 
Bendedknees May 9, 2004, 7:02:09 AM 

In reply to jacksprat: You fuh real? Wasn't Richards acting on the advice of the WIBC's doctors?

 
jacksprat May 9, 2004, 7:23:58 AM 

In reply to Bendedknees: No he was not. Richards choose to lend an interpretation to Dr Mansingh's report that the doctor never intended. Dr Mansingh opined that Marlon would require surgery at some point in the future thus explicitly advised caution in the handling of Samuels chronic condition and suggested ways his injury could be managed while he participated in the World Cup. Dr. Richards, in his infinite wisdom claimed he only wanted players who were "100 percent fit" and subsequently dropped Samuels from the squad. That a Hooper, who had just returned from major surgery on both knees was allowed to participate in mockery of this "100 percent fit" pretext ,led some to believe that Samuels' exclusion was based more on animus & vinditiveness than a concern for Samuels' or West Indies' best interest. The second opinion of the USA-based doctor clearing Samuels to participate, with the same caveats, as the first opinion only cofirmed Richards' folly because the team was weakened by Samuels' 11th hour reinstatement, essentially after the competition. Brother, maybe instead of hurling puerile invective at Jamaicans, and those who disagreed with Dr Richards' high handed action, you should at least make sure the facts are on your side.

 
Bendedknees May 9, 2004, 7:55:15 AM 

I could be wrong but I distinctly got the impression from reading the several articles which were tossed about that this was not about Richards but more the WIBC sanctioning the decision of the panel of selectors which is comprised of how many?If the selectors felt that they did not have the capacity within the team to manage Samuels appropriately, what is wrong with that? Chuspe!

Samuels ignores WICB's doctor - to see his own specialist in Washington Tony Cozier Special Stabroek News January 30, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Related Links: Articles on Windies cricket Letters Menu Archival Menu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) disregarded strong West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) advice yesterday and dispatched Marlon Samuels to Anguilla with the Jamaica team for the opening match of the Carib Beer Series against the Leeward Islands, starting tomorrow. At the same time, JCA president Jackie Hendriks said in Kingston that Samuels had asked to have his injured left knee examined by his own specialist in Washington with whom he "would feel more comfortable." "That seems a perfectly reasonable request and, as I understand it, an appointment has been firmed up for sometime next week," he added. It conflicted with WICB president Wes Hall's announcement yesterday that an appointment had been made tomorrow for Samuels to see Dr. Ainsworth Allen, the New York orthopedic surgeon who has treated several West Indian players. Samuels was withdrawn from the West Indies squad for the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa last Sunday following a report to the selectors of an MRI scan on his knee by Dr. Akshai Mansingh, a member of the WICB's medical panel. But Samuels said in Kingston he felt "100 per cent fit" although acknowledging that intermittent pains in his knee during the West Indies' training camp in Antigua last week prompted him to consult Dr.Mansingh. Both Hall and WICB acting chief executive Roger Brathwaite were adamant that Samuels should not play in the Anguilla match. They fear further damage to the knee that was operated on during the West Indies series against Pakistan in Sharjah a year ago and, according to Dr.Mansingh's report, will require further surgery that would put him out of action for up to a year. Hall said Wednesday it would be "the quintessence of cricket stupidness" for the classy 22-year-old batsman to play with his injury. Brathwaite issued a statement last night supporting the selectors' decision and setting out the WICB's position. "The WICB feels strongly that it is not in Marlon's best interest for him to play in the upcoming Carib Beer series," Brathwaite said. "While we are advising him not to play while carrying this injury, we do not have the authority to prevent him from playing and, regrettably, will not be responsible for any injury he may suffer as a result." Hendriks said he could not comment on Brathwaite's statement as he had not seen it. The decision to replace Samuels, with left-handed all-rounder Ryan Hinds for the World Cup issue has generated heated protests in Jamaica. He was one of the stars of the West Indies batting on the tours of India and Bangladesh late last year on his return after a seven-months layoff following his earlier knee operation. There have been accusations of unfairness and insularity on radio call-in programmes and from Jamaica coach Robert Haynes. "It's not cricket?we as Jamaican and West Indies supporters should do something about it," Haynes said. He claimed captain Carl Hooper, who had surgery on both knees in early December, and fast bowler Merv Dillon, who returned from the tour of India in November with a back injury, had been asked to carry lighter workloads at the Antigua camp than Samuels and said their fitness could also be questioned. "The way things have transpired have left room for a lot of suspicion," Samuels' agent, John Pinnock, told the Jamaica Observer.

 
jacksprat May 9, 2004, 8:24:59 AM 

In reply to Bendedknees: I am bemused that you would believe that this was not about Richards, coming so hard on the heels of the Chairman of Selectors failed attempt to send Samuels home from the tour of India. Two years on, Richards was still referencing this incident, which highlighted his own ignorance about disciplinary procedures, as example of the impotence of the managment team in his call for greater autonomy. Not about Richards? hmmn! Nothing in the article you posted above contradicts my rendering of the issues surrounding the Samuels fiasco. I guess the Rev. Wes Hall & the WICB must also have been 'injuts' in reversing the earlier decision and sending Marlon to the World Cup, after they had given their impramatur to earlier decision of Richards and his team of incompetents.

 
Scar May 9, 2004, 8:58:51 AM 

All this talk and fight over Ramdin and company and none of them can cement a place in Windies side??!!! Note those saying Ramdin is the future cappo -why is he then not captain of the 3 day version? Joseph a guy who barely got in the side is the one and he too may be a flash in the pan. U19 WC is akin to schoolboys cricket with a a couple of months coaching before the games. Under what certainty all of you making sure Ramdin Joseh or anyone else from U19 will ever be assured a place on Windies side. Last I heard Ramdin was not comfortable with true pace - what do you think an OZ or NZ or Pak will do to him. Heck even Englands Hammison had the more experienced boys in trouble with 87mph bowling!! Let ramdin and all the rest carry their weight just like Devon was forced too before they get a sniff of the side no more free passes like Gangas based on schoolboy cricket and so called technique.

 
Bendedknees May 9, 2004, 9:17:47 AM 

In reply to jacksprat:

I guess the Rev. Wes Hall & the WICB must also have been 'injuts' in reversing the earlier decision and sending Marlon to the World Cup, after they had given their impramatur to earlier decision of Richards and his team of incompetents
Yes they were!

 
jacksprat May 9, 2004, 9:41:28 AM 

In reply to Bendedknees: Ok Bro, we'll agree to disagree. I always maintain that WI cricket is bigger than Richards or any one individual. I refuse to submit to the cult of personality and stand firm in that conviction. I note your moniker but I refuse to be on bendedknees in solicitous surrender to any man, and I am adamant that I will not bow! :D Peace!

 
carib May 9, 2004, 11:52:06 AM 

I am extremely doubtful that Samuels will challenge for a spot in the WI team any time soon-IF EVER! The fitness doubts are just too great, whatever you think of his talent or temperament. Whatever you think of Richards, the WICB was dead rigjht that Marlon has a seriouus, ongoing, career-threatening injury-something that many Sammy supporters just refused to believe!

 
jacksprat May 9, 2004, 1:16:15 PM 

In reply to carib: Boy some of us have an uncanny knack of stating the obvious. Samuels has a chronic injury that may very well put an end to his career. There is no guarantee that even with major surgery this knee problem will ever be remedied, hence his reluctance to submit to what will have been his fifth, or so, surgery in a matter of a few years without any guarantee of success. Samuels like all players must produce in order to be considered for all a place on the WI team. There was never a question that he will ever play for the WI again, sans fitness or production. That is the way it ought to be for all players, unless, it seems, his name is Daren Ganga.

 
carib May 9, 2004, 1:26:08 PM 

In reply to jacksprat: It wasnt obvious to most Sammy supporters even 6months ago, jack! Im glad you think it obvious now! Thats progress! Man, you'll are going to keep congratulating yourselves on being right about Ganga ten years from now!but Ganga is not and was probably never a problem for Sammy! His big problems right now are the Dwaynes-Smith & Bravo.Dont see him making the team over them until at least next year, boss! And thats if he can PROVE he's fit.

 
jacksprat May 9, 2004, 4:34:36 PM 

In reply to carib: I am WI supporter first and foremost and have always believed that no player should have a divine right to a place on the team. Samuels is one of my favourites, no doubt ( as is Sarwan; as is Lara) but ultimately it is about the team and no single player's interest should come before the interest of the team. That should hold true for Samuels as well as his peers I am not sure to whom you are referring with regard to Ganga because I tke no pleasure in the failure of any of our players. I wish them all well. I do however take exception to shifting standards being use to judge different players and believe Ganga has unfairly benefited from an indulgent favouritism that is not accorded others. It is not his fault that he is somebody's pet project. He is not the first, nor do I suspect, will he be the last. I recall Lara being kept out of the team for years while purveyors of ineptitude like Arthurton & Hooper were given endless chances. It is just not cricket! One team, one standard.