Hall: Good thing for WI cricket

"Superstars under construction!"

This is how former West Indies fast bowler and manager, Rev. Wes Hall, described the current West Indies cricket team.

Commenting after the nerve-jangling one-wicket win over Pakistan yesterday, which had Windies fans glued to television sets, radios and perched on the edge of their seats, Hall said he was ecstatic.

'The team has played well under the captaincy of Jimmy Adams and it augurs very well for the future of West Indies cricket,' said Hall, a former Minister of Sport.

Stressing that the very persistent Pakistan team should not be brushed aside or belittled, Hall said he was always confident of a victory.

'What we need to do now is consolidate for England. England will not beat us,' he said.

'Before you could set your batting line up long before a tour but with so many young promising youngsters in the West Indies side now that is very hard.

'There is lots of batting competition for the tour of England and a bright future for West Indies cricket,' he added.

Hall said Jimmy Adams under the helmet of captain has proven his 'man management qualities'.

'He is not a genius, but he has proven himself as a captain that was doing everything, and England will be a good stomping ground for him.'

The former fast bowler also said the young management team and selectors must be congratulated for exposing so many young players to the game over the last year.

'The exposure is good and under Adams has sparked a spirit which I am sure will see us being very competitive against the world champions,Australia and then South Africa here in ourbackyard,' Hall said.

Wayne Daniel, like Hall a former West Indies fast bowler, said the victory was great and it was a pleasure to see the team back in stride.

He is of the opinion that the rejuvenated and fighting attitude of the West Indies played and will continue to play a big part in their victories.

'If that attitude remains they will definitely do very well on the upcoming tour to England,' Daniel said.

He stressed that while the team seemed to be in good stead, the selectors should be looking at replacements for the very effective but aging Ambrose and Walsh.

'We need to find two other very good and dependable fast bowlers if we really want to be a force in world cricket.

'Adams is doing a very good job as captain. On the field his motivational skills, his field-placing and changing of bowlers are great and it looks as if he will do a good job for the next couple of years.

'His attitude too is key to success and we must realise motivation and attitude is half the job,' Daniel said.