CWI made error in appointing Bascombe as Director of Cricket – “Reds” Perreira

Veteran international cricket commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira says Cricket West Indies (CWI) has made an error in appointing Miles Bascombe as Director of Cricket.
Perreira argued that Bascombe has been thrown into the deep end, since cricket in the Caribbean is at its lowest point.
“Well, I think CWI has made an error in appointing Miles Bascombe as Director of Cricket at this time of our very low point.”

“One would have thought that they (CWI) needed someone who had a background in the role as a Cricket Director, whether at a county level, whether at the national level or whether at international level. That is the kind of cricket director that we need at this stage.
“Coming out of the Zimbabwe disaster to see what we are facing soon with India in the West Indies, one would have thought that we would have gone for the very best available. If the very best did not apply, CWI should have re-advertised. What we would never know is who apply,” Perreira stated.
He further disclosed that the process was not very transparent, and the stakeholders in the Caribbean were left wanting for answers.
“The process was not as transparent when the decision came out. With all due respect to Miles Bascombe, I think he was thrown into the deep end. He is coming off a fairly average career as a cricketer, having played for Windwards and CCC [Combined Campuses and Colleges], and one T20I for the West Indies.
“His marks was not very high when he was one of two selectors with Roger Harper. What is he going to really bring to the table? An experienced Cricket Director would have been able to hit the road running, and West Indies would have started in a plus. When Johnny Grave was appointed CEO, he had background in county cricket in England. He was in touch with what was happening in the English county level, even when Jimmy Adams was appointed, he had a strong background, having captained the West Indies,” Perreira posited.
“I am not saying that made Jimmy Adams successful, but CWI should have re-advertised the role for director.”

At a Board of Directors meeting on Friday last, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, CWI disclosed that Bascombe was the new Director of Cricket, on a three-year contract.
Bascombe will take over from Adams, who had been in the role for the past six years.
Bascombe, 37, played one T20 International for the West Indies in 2011 and played First-Class cricket between 2007 and 2017, for both the Windward Islands and the Combined Campuses and Colleges.
He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree and is a certified coach.
Bascombe, who was a CWI Men’s Selector between 2019 and 2021, has been the Technical Director at the Windward Islands Cricket Board over the past two years.