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Quote:A FORMER national cricket captain who is now a senior judge has joined the chorus of voices questioning the credentials of St Lucian Darren Sammy to remain as captain of the West Indies Test team.
Justice Prakash Moosai, who was the last national captain to hoist the regional four-day championship, then known as the Shell Shield, said Sammy is not good enough to command his place in the Test team.
At best he describes Sammy as a brilliant fieldsman but Moosai said he can be hardly be considered a front-line bowler and based on his poor form in the recent series against India and New Zealand, should be hardpressed to retain his place as a batsman.
He also thinks that explosive opening batsman Chris Gayle of Jamaica should retire from Test cricket and focus on T20s and One-Day Internationals since he is getting older and he will be challenged to maintain his fitness and health.
The judge was at the time delivering the feature address at the 25th anniversary Presentation of Awards function of the St Mary’s Superstars Sports Club staged at the St Mary’s Government School in Moruga on Saturday night.
Moosai said it was not his intention to bash Sammy but the questions asked are legitimate and cry out for answers when placed in the context of the accountability of the West Indies Cricket Board to the people of the region.
Moosai said regional selectors must be bold enough to make decisions but the WICB must be prepared to account for the consequences, namely the abysmal performance of the West Indies team.
In the audience at the St Mary’s Superstars’ awards were Dr Allen Sammy and Baldath Mahabir, the two T&T directors on the WICB. Dr Sammy is also the first vice-president of the T&TCB while Mahabir is a nominated executive member of the board.
Moosai called for a revamping of the WICB which he said must now operate according to international best practices and who must address in the shortest possible time the concerns raised about what is contributing to the continued decline of the Test cricketers.
He said the WICB must be mindful that they serve the public of the Caribbean and must be transparent and accountable and called for an overall in their management systems similarly to what took place in Australia following the adoption of the Argus Report.
Moosai said that the recommendations on governance were based on tried and tested systems and that although there are no magic solutions for WI cricket, the best way to ensure positive results lies in “well-skilled board.”
He said the WICB must provide on explanation why the regional Under-19 players are failing to make the transition to Test cricket and realize their full potential and made reference to Adrian Barath, Devendra Bishoo and Kraig Braithwaite.
“What prevents their development for long and successful careers? What are the stumbling blocks that they encounter? Have they become swell-headed by their newfound wealth? Has indisclipine anything to do with it?” he asked.
Moosai said these difficult questions deserve answers before any comprehensive plan can be designed to address the burning issues facing West Indies cricket at present.
He recalled a conversation he had with the late Tim Nafziger who told him legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he always promised his players untold riches.
“But he demanded in return that the footballers were disclipined, maintain their focus on the field and play 100 per cent for Manchester United. There were also rumours that he had spies at all the trendy nightclubs in Manchester so he knew who were breaking the team curfew,” said Moosai.
Moosai also suggested that the board address the technical flaws of the players as determined by video analysis by appointing specialist coaches. If the WICB is unable to undertake this responsibility, then why not he asked.
He said a long hard look must be taken at the pool of young cricketers that currently exists in the region since the current crop of players seem to be faced with a serious dilemma: whether to pursue a career in T20 or to concentrate on making the Test team.
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