‘Dudes,’ WI selectors on same wavelength

Obviously the regional selectors headed by Trinidadian Joey Carew was also thinking along those lines.

“I feel deeply satisfied with my prediction,” Ramkessoon said after the triple world record holder for batting was named as skipper of the regional tream for the third time last Thursday.

Ramkessoon said that because the World Cup was so near on our doorsteps the wide experience of Lara would be a motivating factor to encourage the team to perform at the highest level. “All West Indians should feel pleased with his selection,” said Ramkessoon, who is chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago selection panel.

“Lara represents the sum total of the hopes and aspirations of Caribbean people and with his personal level of performance couple with his knowledge of the game and the West Indies as a whole, he will carry the team forward,” the former West Indies youth team captain said.

He also expressed his appreciation for the service of former captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul who resigned after the tour of New Zealand.

“Quite understandably his batting suffered with the weight of captaincy,” said Ramkessoon.

He hoped that the guyanese left-hander’s form would improve to make a significant contribution with the bat as he has done before.

Ramkessoon said the fortune of the regional test side is poised to rise again.

“Moreso as the impasse between Players’ Association and the WI Cricket Board is settled and further because the captaincy has been handed to the most suitable man for the job, Brian Lara,” Ramkessoon said.