Support for cricket in Caribbean is encouraging, administrators must be pro-active

Dear Editor,
As the West Indies try desperately to put together a team to play in the T20 World Cup, which is only two months away, the selectors and the administrators are in deep trouble.
Phil Simmons, the Head Coach, is certainly at a loss. Phil Simmons is the person who made bad choices in guiding the preparation for the West Indies team. Simmons’s recent outburst, that “We can’t beg people to play for the West Indies”, is utter nonsense. As a leader, and particularly a head coach, he must be able to communicate with the players and win their respect.
The Caribbean people are waiting to hear why the West Indies Captain Kieron Pollard dropped a bombshell when he walked away from the West Indies team. Simmons’s mouthing that Andre Russell hasn’t made himself available for selection, and saying that the status of Sunil Narine is a mystery, should follow with his resignation.
Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas, along with several other players, such as Fabian Allen and Chandrapaul Hemraj, are players on whom the selectors must keep a watchful eye.
It is indeed sad to know that the West Indies will have to play in the first-round matches so as to qualify to play in the Super 12 of this year’s T20 World Cup. The West Indies’ humiliation at the hands of India, and their current struggle against New Zealand, are a poor reflection of the Team.

The West Indies are unable to put together core players in the team. The Coach cannot name the possible opening batsmen, and both the top order and middle-order batting are difficult to name. The bowlers are also not certain of their places in the team. Fielding is getting more important, and the superb fielding of the likes of Hetymer is indeed most encouraging. The West Indies selectors must identify the core players, and let them play together to build much-needed team spirit.
Time is not on the West Indies’ side, and it is necessary for the West Indies cricket administrators to get down to serious business and build a possible winning team.
Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetymer, Shai Hope, along with some good all-rounders could put enough runs on the board for the bowlers to bowl at. However, Pooran must be the wicket-keeper. The players’ confidence must be in their team spirit. This year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) would bring out the best in our players, and expectations are sky-high that our cricketers would be at their best. The support for cricket in the Caribbean is most encouraging, and our administrators must be objective and pro-active.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar