Consistent Carter, Reifer rewarded with Windies selection

─ Ambris lucky for another opportunity

By Brandon Corlette

From topping the Regional Super50 charts with the most runs to finishing third in the Regional 4-Day championships, Jonathan Carter has had a prolific 2018-2019 Regional season. Guyana Jaguars player, the Barbadian Raymon Reifer was also rewarded for his stellar Regional performances in 2018-2019, with Windies selection for the tour to Ireland.

Meanwhile, Sunil Ambris may have to count himself lucky with likes of Jermaine Blackwood and Guyana’s Anthony Bramble overlooked after they chalked up strong Regional performances. The 31-year old Jonathan Carter played eight matches in the 2018-2019 Regional Super50 tournament and finished with 351 runs at an average of 50.14, showing his consistency with four half-centuries.
Barbados senior batsman, Carter who was amongst the runs in the Regional 4-Day, finished third behind Devon Smith and Montcin Hodge with 689 runs at an average of 40.52. Carter scored a career best of 149* in the 4-Day tournament and five half-centuries in the ten matches he played this season for Barbados Pride.
Carter has played 28 ODIs for West Indies and he will be making a return to maroon colors after almost two years. Having made his debut since January 16, 2015, Carter played his last ODI in June 25, 2017. In his blooming International career he has three half-centuries for the West Indies. In recent Regional tournaments, Carter has also provided the extra seam bowling option.
Raymon Reifer, the 27-year old Barbadian who has been a consistent Regional performer for Guyana Jaguars is rightfully getting his opportunity. In the 2018-2019 Regional Super50 tournament, Reifer finished third in the runs, behind Carter and Andre McCarthy. He scored 323 runs at an average of 64.60 carving out four half-centuries in the seven innings he had a bat.

Reifer, who also bowls left-arm seam, is seen as a complete package since his batting has shown improvements in recent seasons. In the Regional 4-Day, Reifer played six matches and scored 213 runs at an average of 30.42 floating in the Guyana Jaguars batting order; he hit two half-centuries.
The 26-year old St Vincent lad, Sunil Ambris continues to have multiple opportunities attaining Windies selection. Ambris played one ODI against England in Southhampton in 2017 where he scored 38*. The right-handed Ambris played six Test matches and failed miserably averaging 15.09 failing to past 50 runs in an innings.
However, when he plays Regional cricket, he answers the selectors by scoring runs; in the 2018-2019 Regional 4-Day, Ambris scored 490 runs in six matches. He had an average of 49 with one century and two half-centuries to his name. Therefore, his recent form may have earn him another selection in a West Indies squad.
Test wicket-keeper batsman, Shane Dowrich is one of the eight Barbadians selected in the 14-man squad to Ireland. Dowrich had shown his worth with the bat in the longer format of the game; he has three Test centuries and eight half-centuries in his 30 matches, averaging 29.82. He has not featured in the Regional arena often due to Windies duties but he remains the best First-class wicket-keeper in the Caribbean.
However, Anthony Bramble should have been considered as the other wicket-keeper in the squad along with Shai Hope, following his two stellar performances in the Regional 4-Day championships. Bramble finished as the best wicket-keeper twice, with the most dismissals and most runs by a gloves-man. By nature, the hard-hitting Bramble is a clean striker of the ball in contrast to Dowrich who is known for his defensive ability.
This squad is not the World Cup squad but it gives a wider pool of players experience in UK conditions since most players are still in the IPL. Devandra Bishoo, who is not playing in the IPL is available for selection but he has been axed following his ordinary showing in maroon colors; Roston Chase partnered Ashley Nurse and Fabian Allen as the spinners in the squad.
A series as this in Ireland would have been the perfect opportunity for Anthony Bramble since this squad aims to give a wider pool of players experience in English conditions.