By Clifton Ross

SPEEDSTER Keon Harding’s inclusion in the West Indies team for the Bangladesh tour is a good move following in-form all-rounder Romario Shepherd testing positive ahead of the series start.
Shepherd, who smashed his maiden 1st Class ton during December’s ‘A’ series tour of New Zealand, recently tested positive for coronavirus; resulting in Harding being named as his replacement with the first One Day International (ODI) bowling off on January 20.
Although Shepherd’s forced omission is a huge blow, given his recent batting form, reputation and ability to play the power-hitter role in limited overs of a game as well as his recent exposure to more international games with the Windies team; Harding could easily resolve the Windies issue of a secondary ball operator.
While Shepherd is undoubtedly a far better batsman, Harding’s List A record, especially coming off the back of a championship winning Super50 season last year with the West Indies Emerging Players (WIEP), has been brilliant.

The right-arm pacer finished 3rd on the wicket-takers list during the last Super50, bagging 18 wickets from 9 games at an average of 16.66. His best returns of 4-35 and economy rates of about 5 runs per over were among the best stats produced by bowlers last season.
Harding also showed his ability to switch to Test mode if needed, as he churned out similar performances during the COVID-19 affected Regional 4-Day Tournament, which was eventually won by his Barbados Pride franchise. The fast-bowler ended the Regional 4-Dayers with a 10-for including 5-19 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Another huge factor which nicely complements the Harding addition is that he toured England last summer and now has an opportunity, much like Shepherd would have had, to somewhat cement a spot in the team with most of the seniors away.
Harding will also form a nice partnership with the likes of countrymen Raymon Reifer and Chemar Holder as well as Alzarri Joseph, who could form a young Windies 4-pronged pace attack.
Veerasammy Permaul, who makes his way back into the international mix after years away, is another player who will be keen on reestablishing his place among the Windies spin-bowling options for the rest of 2021.
With a variety of bowling options at his disposal, stand-in skipper Kraigg Brathwaite could easily use his new players to much success as the Caribbean side look to get their 2021 off to a winning start.