Windies need 'Wheel' of Fortune in 2001-Best of strokes

From the start of the series in Australia, the Best of Strokes made two important observations.

The first: Jimmy Adams and the tour selectors had to select the strongest batting line-up available.

The second: The strategic approach to this crucial series against the leading Test team in the world, had to be one of character building and to avoid defeat against the Aussies at all cost, without being defensive, but rather being accretive.

Now after four consecutive defeats-each being progressively worst-there is no single clue, or solution for that matter, that would import any sense of consolation to the West Indian communities at home and abroad. Our cricketing dynasty seems gone for a long time to come.

How can the captain and management justify this abominable performance of a team that is not rebuilding, not recovering, not responding or behaving responsible?

Are we rebuilding, or is there any talent for the future? Hardly, for our young players-Sarwan, Black, Stuart and company, all popped onto the international stage without a solid background, or a decorated record of accomplishment in the game, only to find that they are simply not Test material.

Since the South African disaster of 1998-99, what portfolio of excellence did Daren Ganga present to the selectors as proof of readiness for the international cricket-mediocrity?

Similarly, Ramnaresh Sarwan's glittering torchlight seen during the England series a few months ago has already been so dimmed that he cannot command a selection on this current tour Down Under.

Merv Dillon (11 Tests and 49 One-Day Internationals) and Nixon McLean (16 Tests (32 One-Day Internationals), can only serve up a three-or-four-wicket haul occasionally, while no spinner in the region since Lance Gibbs (1958-1976), has been impressive enough to merit regular selection.

Veteran Courtney Walsh is still expected to do the "donkey work" at a time when he should be seeking to top the 500-mark and merely add to the motivation and inspiration of the other bowlers.

Brian Lara must be feeling the enormous burden of being the only world-class batsman in a very poor West Indies team, perhaps the worst ever, according the foreign media.

His 182 showed his mastery, but were we expecting a repeat of the 1955 performance of the great Sir Clyde Walcott's five centuries in a series?

I think not, and Lara, while leading the batting, cannot win matches for the West Indies at this stage.

The old adage, "catches win matches", adds to the fact that you must be capable of bowling the opposition out twice. Regrettably, the Windies have seldom done that once in a single Test.

Joint record holder, Ridley Jacobs, now finds the need to be competitive in the middle with Courtney Browne on tour.

This kind of internal competitiveness is always healthy for the progress of any team sport. Congratulations and well done, Jacobs.

I have left the best for last, captain Jimmy Adams. At the time of his appointment, Adams could not merit selection on his own, yet it was felt that he should lead-how ridiculous.

After this whitewashing from Steve Waugh and his men, The Best of Strokes does not believe that any player, other than Lara and Walsh, should expect to be facing the South Africans at home, not even Adams, as captain or otherwise.