“[…] There would have been at least two major disappointments for West Indies selectors Desmond Haynes and Ramnaresh Sarwan. For starters, the prodigiously talented Shimron Hetmyer has now not played a Test match for the West Indies since November 2019. “[…] Hetmyer endured a most miserable time [in the four-day …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: What will West Indies selectors do about abysmal batting, Bravo and Roach?
“[…] Jason Holder’s miserly 65-run aggregate was, incredibly, the highest among all the West Indies batsmen [in India]. “The aggregates and associated averages of the West Indies top five batsmen were far more in sync with numbers that would be called at a Bingo game than with those that would …
Read More »Skerritt’s ‘introselection’ explained; why CWI presidents want no West Indies sole selector
Sick! Toxic! CWI president Ricky Skerritt has not actually uttered those words in public. Not yet. But two recent references to ‘mischief-makers’ tell us that this quiet, even-tempered Kittitian gentleman has had it up to here with what goes on behind closed doors in CWI. And in plain sight in …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’ slam ‘Commess West Indies’ report on attendances at WI-Eng T20I Series
“[…] Over the five matches played at Kensington Oval, long regarded as the mecca of West Indies cricket, the total local attendance was only 45% of the reduced capacity. And this after the ticket prices for local, Barbadian fans attending the matches had been reduced by 50%. “By whose interpretation …
Read More »Media Monitor: Unamusing musings the morning after Holder’s WI miracle the night before
Although they may not admit it, people do not like to be wrong; certainly, nobody likes to be seen to be wrong. Sometimes, however, you rejoice that you did not get it right. And you are overjoyed that you resisted the temptation to rush into print to share the view …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: Bravo for India? Roach, 33, before Seales, 20? WI selectors are taking big gambles
“[…] Kemar Roach’s ODI stats are not in any way indicative of his abilities as a consistent and reliable wicket-taker. 124 wickets captured in 92 matches played equates to less than two per match. “There is absolutely no questioning the value that Kemar Roach has provided as the West Indies …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: ‘Tapegate’s’ troubling threat to Dr Shallow; Guyana’s noble schools cricket initiative
“[…] We had intended to examine the probable damaging effects of ‘Tapegate’ on the reported future presidential aspirations of Cricket West Indies current vice-president, Dr Kishore Shallow. “Within the past month, Dr Shallow has been the mouthpiece for CWI’s highly unsatisfactory public explanations of the unfortunate, unsavoury and as yet …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: England T20 series is acid test for WI captain and team; Skerritt’s struggles
“[…] For West Indies cricket fans, an ODI series defeat to Ireland, following immediately as it would be on the team’s ignominious loss of the T20 series in Pakistan, would be incomprehensible. Even more so because the Pakistan series loss was preceded by the WI’s most embarrassing and highly forgettable …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: Haynes, Sarwan inclusion a boost, but fitness issues, coaching doubts linger
“[…] The Sir Desmond Haynes-led panel should, as its very first order of business, announce the implementation of a new selection-related fitness policy. “Our suggested policy would require all CWI contracted players as well as those others who are in contention for immediate selection on West Indies teams to be …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: WI cricket history and coaches in schools, a CPL rejig and other 2022 recommendations
“[…] CWI must request the governments of its member countries to mandate, by September 2022, the addition of West Indies cricket history to the curriculum of all primary and secondary schools within the region. “CWI should similarly ask governments to also mandate the addition of a paid cricket coach to …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: Hayley, Seales and Brathwaite shine in 2021, but results, fitness and selections stink
“[…] Since making his debut on 10 June against South Africa, 20-year-old Jayden Seales has captured 16 wickets in just four Tests, while demonstrating the pace and accuracy that are the hallmarks of all great fast bowlers. “[…] However, during 2021, the West Indies’ […] final win/loss ratio was a …
Read More »Farewell Harper, welcome Sherfane! McWatt and ‘Reds’ suggest 15 WI players to new CWI selectors
“[…] Assuming everyone is fully fit and in sufficiently good form, if the 2022 World Cup 15-member squad were to be picked today, there would be at least eight players who would be considered by most to be automatic selections. “Discounting Kieron Pollard’s participation in any possible manner, the referenced …
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