New selector wants more Jamaicans on WI team
T&T Guardian Reports.
Kingston—
Former national batsman and newly appointed member of the Jamaica senior selection panel, Wayne Lewis, believes it is high time that more national players made the transition to West Indies representation.
“Having seen what has transpired in recent years, where the national team has been winning regional titles, but we have not had enough players going on to represent the region, it needs to be changed,†said Lewis. “As a country, I believe we have a lot of talented players, but for one reason or another they have struggled to make the transition. This for me is unacceptable and now that I am a member of the selection panel, the hope is that we can change this going forward,†added Lewis.
Jamaica, who were dethroned as West Indies Cricket Board Four-day and Super50 titles earlier this year, currently have three national representatives on the West Indies squad, which is currently touring New Zealand. They are batsman Marlon Samuels, young left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotterrell, and wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton.
The number is down from four, who began the tour, after the recent withdrawal of opener Chris Gayle due to injury. However, prior to Cotterrell and Walton, who is yet to make his international debut, being called-up recently, only Samuels and Gayle have been permanent fixtures. Others who have got opportunities and have failed to make solid impressions include Carlton Baugh Jr, Xavier Marshall, David Bernard Jr, Donovan Pagon, Brenton Parchment, Danza Hyatt, Shawn Findlay, and young Nkrumah Bonner.
Lewis, who averaged 30.16 in 32 first-class matches for Jamaica and who was recently elected as a director of the Jamaica Cricket Association, is one of four newcomers on the new five-member selection panel. The others are new chairman and outgoing national Under-19 chairman of selectors, Wavell Hinds; Courtney Walsh; and former national batsman, Cleveland Davidson.
Former national captain Delroy Morgan, who served on the two previous selection panels, is the other member. The newly appointed officials replace out-going chairman Courtnay Daley, who did not seek re-election, as well as new West Indies Under-19 assistant coach, Robert Samuels.
