Dear Editor
NOW that we have seen lists of an all-time IPL, XI and the greatest T/20 players of them all in two publications in www.cricinfo.com on May 20 and 21st, 2017, we find it convenient that Caribbean people should now select and publish our own all-time Twenty/20 team, especially because we have won the World Twenty/20 Championships on two occasions – in 2012 and 2016 – under the captaincy of Darren Sammy.
Runs H/S Av. SR 100s 50s Wkts B.B Av. Econ. C.H. Gayle 10137 175* 40.06 148.92 18 65 77 4/22 30.42 7.54 D. R. Smith 6921 110* 26.11 127.45 3 48 102 4/8 27.95 8.05 M. N. Samuels 3786 106* 31.81 117.28 2 25 68 3/10 26.72 7.06 L. M. P. Simmons 5046 100* 29.68 115.68 1 40 22 4/19 24.18 8.62 D. J . Bravo 5276 70* 25.12 124.90 0 19 367 5/23 23.93 8.06 K. A. Pollard 7308 89* 30.45 151.24 0 34 233 4/15 23.68 8.08 A. D. Russell 3482 100 24.18 164.71 1 12 209 4/11 25.66 8.07 D. J. G. Sammy 2927 71* 20.61 140.51 0 5 154 5/26 27.83 7.75 D. Ramdin 1747 84 21.56 121.31 0 8         S. P. Narine 812 54 12.88 140.00 0 1 278 5/19 18.74 5.89 S. Badree 160 29* 10.00 84.65 0 0 165 5/22 20.49 5.76 R. Rampaul 155 23* 9.68 101.30 0 0 145 5/9 20.64 7.34 Here is our twelve man team, with some convenient statistics:
The two championship wins by the West Indies in 2012 and 2016 is the most by any international team. Gayle holds the world record for the most Twenty/20 runs, being the only individual to reach the 10,000 mark-10137 – and the highest score of 175* runs from 20 overs is also a world record. Narine has scored the fastest 50 – 54 runs from 15 deliveries-. Narine and Badree have always been among the most economical bowlers in the world at this level. All of those selected have also represented the West Indies in the 50 over format of the game.However, Pollard and Badree are the only two who have not represented the West Indies at the Test match level.
The twelve member panel has selected Gayle, Bravo and Narine in its all-time IPL XI. Additionally, Gayle, Pollard and Narine have been selected among the eleven greatest over the first 15 or so years of T/20 cricket. It was also disclosed that statistically, Andre Russell would be a certainty in any such list, however, he was set aside due to his current ban for breaking anti-doping whereabouts regulations. With pride and passion they have played, giving their all, while giving us great joy and jubilation and they have all made us feel proud to be Caribbean people.
Mortimer George is a former Secretary- 1976 to 1983- of the Berbice Cricket Board, Guyana. He is a Life Member-1987-, Hero Award Receipient-2008,and an Inductee into the BCB Cricket Administrators Hall of Fame -2014. He has written three books and a magazine, including The Guide: 75 years of Berbice Cricket and the Phenomenon: 75 years of Berbice Cricket, both published by www.lulu.com in 2014.
Regards
Mortimer George