Admist the big win against Sri Lanka in the ICC World Twenty20, the West Indies players will have to improve their game to the “A” level in order to gradually reach the top of the ICC rankings. Much more concentration and skills will have to be exhibited on the field and the selectors will have the first responsibility of choosing a balanced squad.
Head Coach Ottis Gibson has to identify areas of weaknesses and have those quickly modified to face the huge challenges ahead. Some improvements are needed regarding field placements, which are the responsibility of the captain and players have to hold on to catches. Settling down and building partnerships must be priorities among batsmen in the Test matches.
West indies name squad for Bangladesh
West Indies selectors named 15 players to tour Bangladesh next month. Darren Sammy [Captain], Denesh Ramdin [Vice Captain], Jino Best, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Kirk Edwards, Assad Fudadin, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Veerasammy Permaul and Kieron Powell.
VeeraSammy Permaul Gets the nod
Guyanese left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul gets the opportunity to tour with the West Indies Senior Team to Bangladesh. Permaul has been very impressive with the West Indies “A” team and in regional cricket. In his first class career for five years, he took 152 wickets at an average of 24:59 from 45 matches. At 23 years old, Permaul has been a very penetrative bowler. The squad named by the West Indies is reasonably balanced and the players should give a good account of themselves. The bowling department is strong with Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul, Jino Best, Sunil Narine and Narsingh Deonarine. The West Indies bowling is well balanced with pace and spin bowlers. The batting is intact with Chris Gayle at the helm along with other senior players such as Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Darren Bravo, Kieron Powell, Kirk Edwards and Narsingh Deonarine are in the squad to boost the batting. The squad is experienced and the younger players have the opportunity of proving themselves.
Adrian Barath left out
Trinidad and Tobago’s opening batsman Adrian Barath was not included in the squad for the tour to Bangladesh. Barath has been out of form but this does not mean that this should be the end of his career with the West Indies. He should have been included in this touring party to Bangladesh. Every player goes through a bad season and comes back with flying colors.
Investing in players and after a short period of time discarding those players is not the correct direction to go. Barath is a splendid player to watch. He strikes the ball well and he is not afraid to play his shots; he is always filled with confidence. It must be remembered that Barath scored a century on debut in Australia against Australia. In spite of Barath’s exclusion, the West Indies should be on their way back up the Test ladder. The West Indies team has a talented group of players who should perform credibly.
