[quote author=boquiesse link=topic=94474.msg604325#msg604325 date=1418312454]
Why you hating on Devon? You rather have Gajanand there?
[/quote]
Ha ha ha ha, it would appear so Boqui! Lol!
Seriously you need to separate those that 'can' consistently do well at the National level and those who may not have the best numbers but possess the aptitude and temperament to rise to International standards.
Before Wavell retired he was raking in masses of runs for Jamaica but the selectors probably, quite rightly, realised that his time had passed. Odean Brown never got a look in, for example, and he was one of the top performers as were Kantasingh etc.
These days West Indian players take a very long time to warm up to International level and they learn more on the job at the higher level due to the paucity of the domestic competition. If you look at Samuels numbers they are 'still' relatively poor by International standards! A test average of 35 after 52 Tests and 33 after 162 ODIs but 'yet' he is a main selection. So we need to keep this is perspective.
I am no Smith fan but you can only select from what you have available and he is no different to Deonarine for example.
I would not have selected him as he has been consistent in his underperformance but if one of your main criteria, or one of your main criteria as is reasonable, is weight of runs scored then you have to go for him especially as an opener was required.
The selectors may have felt there is some experience in Smith and that would be a reasonable decision to take.
I have seen some new resolve under Ramdin's leadership so I will not write off this team just yet.
I think the best one can hope for is to see the Windies competing, fighting very hard to perform all disciplines as best as they could.
Best wishes to Windies and I believe they can do well.
Why you hating on Devon? You rather have Gajanand there?
[/quote]
Ha ha ha ha, it would appear so Boqui! Lol!
Seriously you need to separate those that 'can' consistently do well at the National level and those who may not have the best numbers but possess the aptitude and temperament to rise to International standards.
Before Wavell retired he was raking in masses of runs for Jamaica but the selectors probably, quite rightly, realised that his time had passed. Odean Brown never got a look in, for example, and he was one of the top performers as were Kantasingh etc.
These days West Indian players take a very long time to warm up to International level and they learn more on the job at the higher level due to the paucity of the domestic competition. If you look at Samuels numbers they are 'still' relatively poor by International standards! A test average of 35 after 52 Tests and 33 after 162 ODIs but 'yet' he is a main selection. So we need to keep this is perspective.
I am no Smith fan but you can only select from what you have available and he is no different to Deonarine for example.
I would not have selected him as he has been consistent in his underperformance but if one of your main criteria, or one of your main criteria as is reasonable, is weight of runs scored then you have to go for him especially as an opener was required.
The selectors may have felt there is some experience in Smith and that would be a reasonable decision to take.
I have seen some new resolve under Ramdin's leadership so I will not write off this team just yet.
I think the best one can hope for is to see the Windies competing, fighting very hard to perform all disciplines as best as they could.
Best wishes to Windies and I believe they can do well.