October 26, 2003	Sunday	Sha’aban 29, 1424

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KINGSTON (Jamaica), Oct 25: Sir Vivian Richards, chairman of West Indies selection committee, has called on Windies Cricket Board to select different sides for Tests and limited-overs internationals to prevent player burn-out ahead of a packed tour programme over next year.

Richards acknowledging that WICB was cash-strapped, but felt the move was in the interest of players.

“I think if we are looking at cricketers’ development and moving forward in the future, we must implement certain things that we see,” Richards said.

“It has become necessary where we have players who are assigned as Test players and others who are assigned as limited-overs cricketers. We are hoping we can have that put in place.

Richards added: “It is a serious period where we are looking to rebuild. We have picked individuals we believe are suited for rebuilding process. We have alerted several reserves that they are on shortlist and we want them to remain in programmes, so that when called upon they would be ready to play a part.”

Richards’ observation comes ahead of West Indies tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, where they play a combined six Tests and 10 limited-overs international.

West Indies then host England and Bangladesh at home for a combined six Tests and another 10 limited-overs international before heading to Britain for a triangular limited-overs series with England and New Zealand, a return four-Test series against England, and then finish off next September with ICC Trophy.—PPI