Squads possess tenacity to perform well, says Sarwan
By Rajiv Bisnauth
FORMER Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is of the view that a depleted West Indies side is not the best advertisement for the Test and ODI series against Bangladesh. However, he reckoned that while the team lacked experience, they possessed the tenacity to perform well.
“It’s unfortunate that a number of players opted out, but this is not the first time it has happened in West Indies cricket. However, at the end of the day, whoever goes out there to play is representing the West Indies and is a West Indies team, so I think those selected for the tour to Bangladesh will make us proud,” Sarwan figured.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) was forced to pick two second-string squads to tour Bangladesh, due to a number of players opting out through COVID-related concerns or personal issues.
Both Test captain Jason Holder and ODI skipper Kieron Pollard, along with Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, and Shai Hope are the players to have opted out of the tour citing COVID-19 as the reason while Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich have made themselves unavailable over personal concerns.
The CWI COVID-19 policy allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour, only when based on the player’s own safety fears or concerns. Such decisions will not impact their consideration for future selection.
This move by the players is definitely a setback for both CWI and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) who were involved in serious rounds of discussions to make the series happen in Bangladesh.
The new-look Test squad will be led by the experienced Kraigg Brathwaite with Jermaine Blackwood as vice-captain. Former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies A team captain, Jason Mohammed, will lead the ODI team with Sunil Ambris as vice-captain.
Kavem Hodge, the right-handed top-order batsman, has earned a maiden call-up in the Test squad while left-handed opener Shayne Moseley and all-rounder Kyle Mayers will be touring in the Test squad for the first time, after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves this year.
Two players have earned their first call-ups for the ODI squad — Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner allrounder; and Kjorn Ottley, a left-handed top-order batsman.
“I don’t think that people should write them off. We have two young squads and they would be going there to make a name for themselves. The guys in the squads may not be the most experienced, but I am sure they are willing to make full use of the opportunity,” the 40-year-old, Sarwan said.
Well deserved
Further, Sarwan, who played 87 Tests and 181 ODI’s, asserted that the recalled of left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul is a ‘well deserved selection’.
“He has proved himself in the regional tournaments and has been performing consistently for a number of years, so his selection is a well-deserved one,” Sarwan pointed out.
The West Indian touring party are scheduled to play three ODIs on January 20, 22, and 25 after reaching on January 10. The ODI series will be followed by a two-match Test series with matches at Chattogram and Dhaka, from February 3 and February 11, respectively.
West Indies Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican
West Indies ODI Squad: Jason Mohammed (captain), Sunil Ambris (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.
