BRIDGETOWN, April 5: West Indies Cricket Board and its selection panel started Test series against Australia with a master stroke by appointing Brian Lara as team captain and Ramnaresh Sarwan as his deputy.
It’s now up to Sir Vivian Richards and his fellow selectors to maintain the trend for composition of their squad for opening Test against Australia starting in Guyana on Thursday.
While Carl Hooper remains potential class act as batsman, he was unable to produce type of imaginative leadership qualities that were necessary and his ability as a tactician was only modest.
It was immensely satisfying Lara decided to accept the job, which up until recently he indicated he had no interest in.
It is even more pleasing that Sarwan, still only 22 in spite of seven years’ experience as first-class player, is being groomed as a leader for the future.
It was almost puzzling that Hooper’s deputy over the past two years was someone only a year younger than he.
The million-dollar question now surrounds immediate future of Hooper. He believed he still possessed physical skill, desire and passion to continue at international level. He also said he must be unselfish and ask if his presence in the team would not be unfair and block development of young players.
If he plays, it is almost certain he will “block development” of someone like Marlon Samuels. The Guyanese overall record as a batsman is modest for someone of his talent, but his record as batsman (1609 runs at average of 45.97) since coming out of retirement is one that suggests he should not be dropped at this time.
Bearing in mind West Indies’ opponents are all-conquering Australians, his presence and experience will be even more important. Samuels can only find a place if Sarwan is not fit enough to play.
The remainder of middle-order picks itself with Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul joining Hooper and Sarwan or Samuels.
Chris Gayle has been established first-choice opening batsman for some time and his partner at the top should be fellow Jamaican Wavell Hinds.
Hinds, in particular, must know selectors cannot ignore credentials of Devon Smith for much longer. Last season he scored 750 runs (ave 62.50) and followed up this year with 572 runs (ave 40.85).
The wicket-keeping slot should trigger some debate. Ridley Jacobs has been reliable for most of last four years, but hardly anyone will dispute he is on decline.
At 35, it is time selectors identify a long-term replacement for Jacobs. Junior Murray and Courtney Browne still remain good enough to play at this level, but Carlton Baugh’s outstanding season for West Indies ‘B’ that brought him 486 runs (ave 40.50) runs and 15 dismissals makes him a genuine contender.
The slow, low nature of Bourda pitch means it is almost certain selectors will not opt for four fast bowlers.—PPI