Bazball brings a broad smile to British faces. It brings back very happy memories, but not from before the last decade. Mention, however, the nameless West Indian brand or Barbados—or Babylon—and what we get is a scowl. Or a furrowed brow. Not easy to erase is the memory of what …
Read More »CWI confirms Sarwan exit for ‘personal reasons’; ‘instinctive’ Pooran ready for WI captaincy debut
Former West Indies cricket star Ramnaresh Sarwan has quit his post as West Indies Senior Men’s and Youth Selector after just five months on the job. A Cricket West Indies (CWI) release stated that Robert Haynes, the current head of the Men’s Youth Selection Panel, will ‘act as replacement until a …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: Shake up WI white ball team, and Campbell over Solozano is a gamble
“[…] Taken altogether the overall series results as well as the unsatisfactory player performances [against India] must now surely raise further questions about the efficiency of the Phil Simmons-led West Indies coaching staff. “[…] As to the actual squad chosen for the first Test, we have absolutely no issues with …
Read More »Phillip shines, ‘Hetty’ struggles; McWatt and ‘Reds’ use form to name preferred WI Test squad
“[…] 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 »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 »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’: 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 »Ramnaresh Sarwan joins Desmond Haynes on West Indies Senior Selection Panel
Former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has been appointed as the third member of the Men’s Senior Selection Panel. In an announcement today, Cricket West Indies revealed that the 41-year-old former middle-order batsman will join lead selector Desmond Haynes and head coach Phil Simmons on the Senior Selection Panel and …
Read More »Skerritt: ‘His cricket knowledge is second to none!’ Desmond Haynes named as WI lead selector
Cricket West Indies (CWI) today appointed legendary former West Indies cricketer Dr Desmond Haynes as its new chief selector for the Senior Men’s Team. Haynes, a former senator in the Barbados Parliament, will lead the selection panel until 30 June 2024—a period that includes the 2022 and 2024 T20 World …
Read More »‘Reds’ and McWatt: WI must overhaul white-ball teams, starting with captain, coaches and selectors
“[…] The win-loss results of the Phil Simmons-led coaching staff also suggest they should be immediately replaced. Of the 36 T20 International matches played since Simmons’ October 2019 reinstatement as head coach, West Indies won 14 and lost 17 while five ended as no results! “[…] Our replacement suggestions would …
Read More »Flashback: Whispering hurts; Holding on WI’s Test shortcomings and Lara’s captaincy
The following column, written by Lasana Liburd, was first published in the Trinidad Express Sport Magazine on 29 July 2004: “I have heard people say that we cannot get any worse,” said ex-West Indies legendary fast bowler and Sky Sport TV commentator Michael Holding, “and that we have reached rock-bottom …
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