Simmons: ‘We can’t beg people to play for West Indies’

Russell, for example, has not played for West Indies since the 2021 T20 World Cup. He’s playing the Hundred at the moment – along with Narine – and missed the home series against India and now against New Zealand. A couple of days ago, Russell was part of the list of overseas players unveiled by the UAE’s International League T20, which begins in January next year.

“From what I have gathered, I think he is unavailable because he hasn’t made himself available,” Haynes said of the Russell situation.

“I will love everyone to play for West Indies. I would love to make sure that all the guys make themselves available to play,” Haynes said. “But you must realise that the guys have options now, and if guys are choosing other franchises in front of West Indies, then we have to pick from who is available to us.”

Simmons’ comments were stronger: “It hurts. There’s no other way to put it. But what can you do? I don’t think that I should be begging people to play for their countries. I think if you want to represent West Indies, you will make yourself available.”
Sunil Narine

“Life has changed, in that people have the opportunities to go different places and if they choose that over West Indies, that’s just how it is.”

“If there is a competition that is run by the West Indies (and) somebody is playing well, I think his name should really come up for selection,” Haynes said about considering CPL performances for World Cup selection.

“That performance is very important to us, and we didn’t say that we have picked the World Cup team yet, so all the games that are going to be played leading up to the World Cup, we must take into consideration.”

West Indies currently have a weakness in all the following white ball bowling areas.

Strike bowling
Death bowling
Regular wicket taking leg spin

This is the reality our fans don't want to accept. Our player pool is what it is.

All this before I even look at the batting.