“[…] 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 …
Read More »CWI axes selectors Harper, Bascombe; head coach Simmons to lead pro-tem panel
Appointed as lead selector for two years in mid-October 2019, Roger Harper got a two-month extension until the end of the current year. But that’s it! Cricket West Indies today announced that neither the former off-spinner nor Miles Bascombe, the second member of the three-member panel, will have his contract …
Read More »McWatt and ‘Reds’: Pooran can establish himself against Pakistan, but Gayle farewell against Ireland is absurd
“[…] Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) most recent indication of its intention to use next year’s scheduled 16 January T20I against Ireland as a circus-type grand farewell for Chris Gayle is further evidence of its lack of proper governance of our cricket. “In its haste to appease the self-appointed ‘Universe Boss’ …
Read More »McWatt and Reds: Brilliant Permaul, stubborn Blackwood and SOS for a leg-spin coach after Sri Lanka series
“[…] The very first order of business […] must be for us to immediately place our order for a very large double serving of curried crow, with some Guyanese plain rice on the side […] following the totally unanticipated, on our part at least, outstanding Second Test bowling performance of …
Read More »Media Monitor: Simmons to blame for pathetic WI? Howzat for ‘responsible’ journalism?!
Current West Indies coach Phil Simmons is a lucky man. Replying to Sri Lanka’s 386 all out in the First Test in Galle last month, Kraigg Brathwaite’s West Indies reached a precarious 100 for 6 in their first innings. And then, chasing 348 for victory, they found themselves at a …
Read More »Ineffective spinners and poor strike rotation! McWatt and ‘Reds’ suggest WI changes against Sri Lanka
“[…] The inability of both Rahkeem Cornwall and Jomel Warrican to be anywhere close to as effective as Sri Lanka’s spinners on the benevolent Galle Stadium pitch should now establish once and for all their inadequacy as Test match bowlers. “The same pitch on which they toiled so ineffectively to …
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