newsday reporter
This is the discourse on player selection for the West Indies team’s ODI and T20 series against South Africa at the end of two test series in late March.
One Day International
It is true that West Indies selectors believe in spreading their players across separate formats, and I believe that strategy is against their teams. Those who are guided by the bowler’s wickets should be left as guides, not as determinants. So there are selectors that seem to be knowledgeable. If not, just request the scorebook and pick the one with the highest number.
But it’s definitely more than that. For example, how was the ticket gate taken? Was the hitter’s strokeplay fluid? Was he solid and confident or a little scratchy?
He has to judge a hitter on his ability, how he builds an inning. And a bowler with his good line and length bowling. Plus many small observations while in the field.
What I’m pointing out is player compartmentalization. For example, if a player performs well in Test cricket, that player can only qualify as a Test cricketer. This is the method adopted.
Why is Gudakesh Motie not considered for Limited Overgames? He is a good bowler and can play in any format. Akeal Hosein as he is with Motie. These players are talented enough and have the intelligence of cricket to adjust their bowling to the format and circumstances that the game demands while bowling.
In a 50-over match, I don’t understand why Tagenaryn Chanderpoor is not in the team. Second, having a left-handed hitter (not the unconvincing Kyle Meyers) open with a right-hander, Shai Hope, is a plus. Chanderpaul has the skill and ability to switch games depending on the situation.
In the wicket management department, there should be Joshua da Silva. He certainly looks like a great motivator and team man. Now his experience is wide and his cricket intelligence dictates his approach while batting in a 50 over match. The best keepers should always play.
It would be too much for Shai Hope to lead the team to open the batting and hold the wicket. His first two are his strongest suits. Nicolas Poulain falls short of international standards as a keeper.
In my book, he can only play as a hitter, but he should be more dedicated. It is the coach’s job to influence him.
I can’t find any positive justification for including Roston Chase and Romario Shepherd.
Neither can be seen as a winner in situations where confidence and character are required, and cannot be recalled as such.
Yannic Cariah is a surprise package for the selectors, probably unbeknownst to them because South Africans hate spins.
And WI has no proven back spinner.
Bowling is on good terms with Shannon Gabriel, Alzari Joseph, Jason Holder and Hossein, plus Odeen Smith, Mayers and Kalia as backups. Motie was ideal for this unit.
Twenty20
For the time being, I agree with the selector’s choice. I like the idea that he has two left arm seamers. Sheldon Cottrell needs to show more consistency, but his awkward delivery could be a plus. Already his one left-arm medium-pace player is Obed He McCoy, an underrated bowler. He doesn’t have much time to make a fatal mistake in 20 overs. Athletes must be encouraged to concentrate. Here comes our new skipper, Rovman Powell. The strength of this team is in the captain. This SA Tour will be a fair contest for captains and players. Their near-term future is the ODI World Cup in October. My hope is that Desmond Haynes and his fellow selectors pick the best. This means the most mentally and physically skilled, adapting to different formats.In 2024, his T20 WC will be held in the West Indies and America.
This SA Tour is the starting point for these international competitions. In other words, selectors will have to pick a core player to prepare for these two key challenges after the SA Tour.