Permaul dealt another “hard card” by CWI selectors

Says Akeem Greene

It seems a spinner who has taken a total of 198 wickets across four consecutive seasons of Professional Cricket League (PCL) is not good enough to make these ‘powerful’ Windies senior nor ‘A’ team squads but one with 145 scalps to his name is good enough to do both.
The issue stems from the Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel led by Barbadian chairman Courtney Browne, Travis Dowlin (Guyanese), Eldine Baptiste (Antiguan) and Lockhart Sebastian (Dominican) naming the Windies ‘A’ squad for England Lions tour of the Caribbean beginning next week in Jamaica with some questionable selections.

That squad reads: Kieran Powell (captain), Shamarh Brooks (vice-captain), Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Jahmar Hamilton, Keon Joseph, Jeremiah Louis, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh, Jomel Warrican.
The shocking surprise is that of Barbadian left-arm spinner Warrican ahead of fellow left-armer Veerasammy Permaul. To eliminate the first notion of my perceived biasness, the stats will tell the truth
Since CWI implemented the PCL to fuel the long-term development of their Test team, Permaul has topped the charts twice, once in first season (2014-15) with 67 wickets and then in the just concluded season (2017-18) with 50.
It is throughout those seasons, he spun his way close to 200 wickets and has been a major factor in Guyana Jaguars winning the title four times on the trot.
His immaculate consistency in being a part of the top five bowlers in the region has been impeccable and essentially warrants a prolong run in at least the ‘A’ team. In the just concluded season, he averaged 18.90 (way below his career of 21.45); had best match figures of 10-82; took four 5-wicket hauls per innings and had one ten-wicket match haul. Next best was leg-spinner Imran Khan (48), Keemo Paul (42), Jeremiah Louis (40). Still two more to go before Warrican. Shane Shillingford (38), Nikita Miller (36) and then the 25 year-old with 36 scalps at an average of 22.55 (above his career of 20.61); two 5-wicket hauls and no 10-wicket match haul.

In none of his PCL seasons has he taken over 50 wickets or being amongst the top three; his 44 matches has yielded 173 wickets.
Both players have relative exposure to international cricket with Permaul playing his last of six Tests in 2015 and seven One Day Internationals in 2017 while the Barbadian has his last outing of four Tests in 2106.
Meritocracy seems to have a different meaning in these selectors books to deal the spinners such a ‘hard card’. It is understandable with him not being in the Test team along with fellow countryman Devendra Bishoo since that might be difficult given the balance of that unit but to imply he is not good enough for your ‘A’ team by overlooking him after he constantly dominates the precursor for selection is a gross insult.
It is not to say the hard-working Berbician is a ‘fly by night’ cricketer since the record shows he continues to impress and improve.
Yes, when gifted the opportunity to perform at the international stage he did not replicated those domestic feats but has Warrican done better? His six Tests yielded 18 wickets; Warrican’s four has 11.
Criticisms have been levelled against the 28 year-old for being too defensive when batsman go on the attack, especially in the longer formats and with just an arm-ball as a major variation he becomes predictable, making him a sweet dietary for international batters.
Though understandable, where then is his opportunity to learn, a fair opportunity to improve? Are they expecting him to magically become a world-class bowler by just playing regional cricket against batsmen who fail to take the initiative? Why place so much emphasis on consistency at the regional level and not reward those who answer the call?
Based on CWI selection mantra we may never know the answers to do those questions.
It has become deflating to see the player being constantly overlooked for higher duties. If those in power believe he won’t perform, it is still conscionable for him to earn selection.
Nikita Miller at age 35 returned to the Windies unit recently and has also booked his spot for the World Cup qualifiers. His pedigree has been built on consistency at domestic level and he was rewarded so why not Permaul? I’m guessing he too has to wait until age 35.
In 2016 when he made the ‘A’ team to Sri Lanka for the 50-over match, he was the third leading bowler for the team but had the best economy rate which shows his versatility.
With 444 First-Class wickets under his belt from 103 matches and 106 wickets from 70 list A matches to date, his new test will be of patience to once again find favour with the ‘noble’ group of selectors.