The pictures on the sporting scenes are bothersome, for want of a better word. Ranging from controversial comments made by one of cricket's respected experts, to the conundrums of three selectors who are wending their way through a gullible Caribbean whose supporters can only be retained if the names of their country's players are listed among the starters on the West Indies team. In the midst of this stress-related information system, up comes a football fiasco which seemed to have shocked the world of sport.
All of a sudden, the behaviour of Sir Alex Ferguson on the players' benches, plus the betting guys of Italy on football matches, could be going almost unnoticed in comparison to the various controversies which are on the front burners. I am so pleased over the absolute control of my focus, plus my disgust with people who take serious issues and personalise them, causing many observers to be derailed from the important, and sometimes deleterious happenings, which are taking sport through the murky waters of dishonesty and irresponsible behaviour among those who had previously won acclaim to be respected leaders in the world of sport.
Having said that, it is necessary to return to the starters list of the selected WI teams for the Twenty20 International (T20I) and the One Day Internationals (ODI) against india. Let me begin by identifying the absence of any of the WI selectors at the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) T20 championship Tournament which attracted some of the contenders for West Indian selection, such as Krishmar Santokie, Chris Barnwell, Danza Hyatt and others. These guys would have been showing their current form amongst many who are also fighting for a place in the team.
As an honest matter of fact, none of the listed were outstanding, except Santokie's one over spell when he took four wickets in six balls. After that one-off period, he appeared as ordinary as those who were not aspiring to be among the chosen names. Maybe the performances of the former WI allrounder Dwayne Smith in this tournament could have been a persuasion to use his services. Then it was the selection of Andre Fletcher whose reputation over the past two years has not been enhanced by any startling display of batting or keeping.
If it had, then why did the panel pass him over for Devon Thomas, and Carlton Baugh,and more importantly Denesh Ramdin, whose keeping and batting in the recently concluded regional competition surpassed all his colleagues in a similar category. I make no apologies to believe that the choice of a wicketkeeper for the WI is not based upon the ability to perform. If it were, then the ability to assess accurately is way off target to say the least and farcical to be realistic. One begins to wonder whether the thinking by the selection panel is based upon the absence of the main strength of the India team which may facilitate the space given to players on trial.
It would be folly to make further comments on the rest of the selection process, if only to avoid the effect it may have on some of the players. But the WICB needs to address some form of assessment on the panel. Are they not bothered by the fact that the level of criticism coming from across the region is designed to open their eyes in terms of the decisions which do not conform with the performances of the chosen ones as opposed to the contenders who have shown their worth in the regional tournament.
Rushing to the selection of young promising Kraigg Braithwaite is a case in point.
His selection was clearly based on his performances in Dubai, without the panel realising that there is a significant difference between the Test and youth cricket in terms of standard. Hence, they received a rude awakening in his first Test match. The youngster needs time to grow. His potential has indicated that his progress will be positive. Do not push him. Remember Xavier Marshall, Andre Fletcher, and a few others. Please don't continue to make the same mistakes.