Are Cricket West Indies too lenient with certain players?

…Dr Shallow cites reason for Russell choosing Big Bash over Pakistan series

West Indies T20 International team is currently in Pakistan playing a white-ball series. After two matches, the Caribbean men have suffered contrasting defeats.

This T20I team is an inexperienced one, with a host of youngsters and players who are still finding their feet being included in the mix. Some big names opted not to play in this series. The likes of Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell opted out for personal reasons. This is according to a Cricket West Indies (CWI) release when the squads to Pakistan were announced.

However, both Simmons and Russell are playing in T20 leagues. Simmons featured in the recently concluded US Open, where he slammed a century in the semi-finals; while Russell slammed a player-of-the-match 42 for Melbourne Stars in his first outing.
Russell’s choice to play in the Big Bash has sparked major discussions in the Caribbean, and on Tuesday’s Mason and Guest radio programme, it was all fireworks. CWI Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow provided the reason why Russell opted not to tour Pakistan, but play in the Big Bash.
“Russell indicated to the Lead Selector that he was mentally fatigued in the bubble; and in the Big Bash League, where he is now, he would not be required to be in a bubble,” Dr Shallow said. “That was the rationale provided to the Lead Selector,” Dr Shallow said.
To this disclosure, popular radio host and cricket commentator Andrew Mason came out with all guns blazing. He said: “Yes, Dr Shallow, they have got to get the opportunity to make money; but there is a word called ‘sacrifice’.”
Mason added that such situations are almost unique to the West Indies. “The other players don’t do it to their countries, and I am sure Russell is going to be ready to play for us in the World Cup, and we are going to pick him. We cannot continue the foolishness with these guys.”
The response from Dr Shallow might have seemed lenient, but it must be remembered that this Ricky Skerritt-Dr Kishore Shallow-led administration is a player-centric one, which aims to have good relationships with players.
This decision by Russell is perhaps familiar to Caribbean fans, who see these decisions as players choosing the decorated leagues rather than making that sacrifice to play more bilateral series for the West Indies. (Brandon Corlette)