A "Chanders" slam here, a Taylor slam there and public slamming from everywhere, all targeted at the WICB generally-but the West Indian selectors especially, precedes the first of a two-Test series against Pakistan. Is it a fan club which is grabbing at the bit to see the selected team beat the shirts off the Pakistanis, or are we all living in hope that the confidence gained in the two-match success in a lost cause of the ODI's will allow the players to believe that they are ready for the five-day stuff. There must be a new form of judgment for the selection panel when we view the selected names for the Test match.
We all know that the thinking should be different and the process of assessment needs to be addressed in the context of the players with more maturity, cricket intelligence, and the ability to adjust from the fast run rate and dotballs, to occupation of the crease by the batsmen and capitalising on the deficiencies of opposing batsmen and bowlers alike. A careful look at our batsmen is critical; even before a ball is bowled the thought factor becomes evident. From the looks of the names chosen, Lendl Simmons and Devon Smith seem to be the openers. Both have been scorers of runs in the recent past; the selection panel could easily expect support for their choice, despite the fact that Smith has demonstrated vulnerability against the spinners.
Simmons will have the test of knowing how to adjust from the swashbuckler that he is, to the well-tempered stroke player that he can be. Nevertheless, he is a special talent and deserves his place.
Let's jump to the bowlers immediately, as it is clear that Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul, and Fidel Edwards will join the solitary wrist spinner Devendra Bishroo, selected to dismiss the opposition twice in five days. Some may be optimistic enough to include the skipper Darren Sammy among the bowling list, something of which I have reservations. Others may even view Vice captain Brendan Nash in a similar category. Forgive me if I do not share the view and my choice will certainly have been Suliman Benn or Nikita Miller, two left handed orthodox spinners whose variation based upon flight, spin, and consistency of length will be needed, especially if the providence wicket does not provide the assistance for the fast bowlers.
I am curious as to the thinking process which brought Carlton Baugh to the team ahead of Dinesh Ramdhin, after he was dropped from the ODI team and replaced by Simmons. As to the balance of the starting team, it is clear that someone has reneged on their comment about the senior players.
Chanderpaul's choice to attack the coaches on their request for his retirement brought the trio on the selection panel to their senses, daring them to omit him and to a lesser extent, Sarwan from the selected list. The choice of Darren Bravo, Brendan Nash, and Marlon Samuel should not be challenged and they are likely to be the pillars from which high scores will be expected. The big question now remains the final selection.
Opener Simmons and one of Chanderpaul or Smith (the Guyanese is my choice) should be followed by Darren Bravo, Samuel, Sarwan Nash, while both Baugh and Sammy seem to be irreplaceable. Seeing that all of Roach, Edwards, Rampaul and Bishroo will take us past the regulated number of eleven, the experts will be hard-pressed to make serious choices. It means that one of the lot will have to go and because I can see the value for all four bowlers in the team and we know that Sammy is irremovable, then something crazy is in the making. Don't be surprised if Baugh is made to give the gloves to Simmonds again, or Edwards may be asked to wait his turn.
Nevertheless, lets hope that there is full commitment and concentration from all the chosen ones and with careful planning, we may pleasantly surprise even our most skeptical supporters. Players must be made to understand that the demand from the West Indian people is high and nothing shorter than their best effort will be acceptable. Good luck.