Opportunity knocks one more time (2 July 1999)

2 July 1999

Opportunity knocks one more time

Tony Becca

West Indians at home and abroad have been calling on the selectors to take out the broom, sweep away those players who have not been performing and bring in young, talented players.

In recent years, however, the young players themselves have not been performing consistently. Whether representing the "A" team, the President's XI or the Board XI, they have failed to win the confidence of the selectors, and with the older players performing better in regional competitions, the selectors have most times fallen back on them.

So disappointing was the West Indies performance in the World Cup, however, especially the performances of veterans like Phil Simmons, Keith Arthurton and Stuart Williams, that the call now is to bring in the youngsters regardless. The consensus, it appears, is to throw in the young players and let's see what they can do.

Although, based on performance, that would be like rolling the dice, the suggestion is a reasonable one. This is so, not only because any investment in young players must be good for the future of West Indies cricket, not only because there is a good chance that one or two will rise to the occasion, but also because the youngsters can do no worse that those who have been tried so often and have been found wanting so many times.

Like the recent set of selectors, however, the members of the current panel are cautious people, even though there is among them one who loves the horses, they are not gamblers, and despite the call, in spite of the need to take a chance with young players, they are unlikely to do so and will not do so unless they are forced.

The question is this: who will force their hand?

The board can, but for whatever reason it has never done so, and although they are many who believe that the time has come to guide its selectors on such an important issue, it is unlikely that it will.

The only people who can force the selectors to act are the young players themselves and, thanks to the board, they have a glorious opportunity to do so before the selectors meet to select the team for the tour of New Zealand.

India's "A" team will be in the West Indies in November and December for a series of "Test" matches and one-day games, the best of the West Indies young players will be on show and starting with the Red Stripe Bowl, if they perform, if they score not 30s and 40s but centuries, if they take wickets, if on top of performing with the bat and with the ball they are brilliant in the field, the selectors will have no choice but to hand them their opportunity.

The West Indies Board, probably also seeing the need for young players in the team, has provided a wonderful opportunity for them to address the selectors and it is now up to them - especially to the batsmen.

With fast bowlers like Franklyn Rose and Nixon McLean, Reon King and Mervyn Dillon, Corey Collymore and Pedro Collins around, plus legspinner Dinanath Ramnarine and offspinner Nehemiah Perry, the immediate problem of West Indies cricket is its batting. Although it is a good opportunity for bowlers like pacer Colin Stuart and left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell to parade their skills, batsmen like Leon Garrick, Chris Gayle, Wavel Hinds, Ricardo Powell, Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lincoln Roberts and Sylvester Josephs should use it to demonstrate their class and to convince the selectors of their quality.

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner