The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) must find a professional solution to their many differences which have emerged over the years. WICB and WIPA must not depend on CARICOM to solve their problems. The president of the WICB and the president of the WIPA must be much more transparent in their negotiations. It is the responsibility of the WICB to ensure that an equitable contract be passed to the players and not just a lukewarm agreement. Ending that tour of India with the cricketers returning home to the Caribbean should never have occurred. Qualified participants must be involved in resolving conflicts.
West Indies selectors named squad for south Africa
West Indies cricketers will soon return to the cricket field after returning from India early following a dispute with its association and the WICB. The West Indies will play South Africa in their home country where there are some very fast wickets. The South Africans who have some useful bowlers for such conditions including Steyn, Philander and Morkel are always up to the task to take wickets quickly.
Windies pacers must learn quickly
Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cotterell, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel and Jerome Taylor must be prepared for the tough task in South African conditions. Holder, Taylor and Roach should have good help from the wickets and Holder’s bouncy technique should earn him some dividend if he maintains the proper line and control. Left-arm spin bowler Sulieman Benn will have to pick up wickets to keep the pressure on his opponents.
Kraigg Brathwaite to the task
Opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite has so far enjoyed a good Test career but going into South Africa and coming up against those quickies should be very testing. Jermaine Blackwood, the middle order batsman has shown good courage and the exposure in South Africa should boost his skills and make him much more confident. Blackwood has a cricket style that I enjoy and that is, he is not afraid to go after the bad balls. He bats intelligently and with his brilliant fielding he is an asset to the team. Darren Bravo is not available for the South African series. The 14 contracted players to tour South Africa are Denesh Ramdin (Captain) Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cotterell, Shannon Gabriel, Christopher Gayle, Jason Holder and Leon Johnson.