Shepherd’s surprise omission in an already broken system

 By Delvon McEwan

On Saturday the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) selectors released its team to contest this year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Super50 tournament and in that squad there were no new comers and a surprise omission.

The most devastating decision by the selectors was to drop in-form fast bowler Romario Shepherd, who was outstanding in 2016. Shepherd was a part of the 2015 squad where he played one match.
In his lone encounter also his only List A game to date, he collected 3-37 from 10 overs and was named man-of-the match; he was dropped subsequently.
In late August of 2016 the GCB implemented a three-day League and again Shepherd was outstanding for his franchise West Demerara and finished as the best fast bowler with 34 wickets from seven matches.
Because of his performance in the Jaguars League he was named in the Guyana Jaguars squad for two away matches in the first half of the 2016/2017 Digicel Four-Day League, however, he did not get a game.
The Berbician is a fit and industrious player desirous of a fair opportunity but the way in which the GCB operates it would be no surprise if he is one that will past through an already broken system which has not fed the West Indies team or the global stage with any superstar recently.
Since the end of the Regional Super50 tournament in 2015 most of the local players have been without 50-over practice and the set who were involved in matches, were not afforded much practice. However, the Jaguars managed to name a team on past performance; It is also a team of familiar faces.
Jonathan Foo and Ronsford Beaton were surprisingly omitted last season now they are back in the lineup. Why were they dropped in 2015 is still unknown but they are back and favourably so.
After being overlooked by the Jaguars’ selectors, Beaton was selected by the West Indies A to tour Sri Lanka where his performance could not have gone unnoticed. Probably the reason he is back in the Jaguars unit. Foo scored two centuries in the Jaguars League (the three-day version) the reason why he is probably back.
They should not have been excluded from the 2015 team, however, they have regained selection which is good.
The local cricket fraternity is shocked at Shepherd’s omission like it was at Foo’s and Beaton’s exclusion in 2015. However, this time around the GCB should say why Shepherd was overlooked when the tournament will be played in Barbados and Antigua, where the pitches are expected to suit fast bowlers.
Players should be given fair opportunities; there must be nationwide matches or league matches so players could be selected fairly. Since 2005 Guyana is without a limited over title. The wait could be extended if the procedure remains the same.