West Indies selectors erred

WEST INDIES selectors made a grave mistake by going into the second Cable & Wireless Test against Australia which ended on Wednesday with only three bowlers

This was the opinion expressed by Trinidad and Tobago manager Omar Khan yesterday. The Windies were beaten  by 118 runs and now Australia enjoy an  unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. Khan added: “The Australians scored 814 runs for the loss of only seven wickets and after that the West Indies were batted out of the match. “However I am very happy with the batting of Daren Ganga and skipper Brian Lara. “I noted the tremendous strides made by Ganga during the Carib Beer Series.     He is a very matured player and I am happy for him.” Khan said, “Lara has led the way by example and the rest of the younger players have to  realise that they need to work harder to fit in at the top level.”

Sports editor of the Newsday, Zaid Mohammed renewed his calls for Jamaican opener Chris Gayle, saying he would provide runs early on in the innings. “The batting is good but they must find a place for Chris Gayle in the next Test. He is also a useful bowler and will be an advantage to the team,” he said. Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control  (TTCBC) executive member Patrick Rampersad said:  “The result was expected, you cannot go into a Test with that bowling attack and win it. The West Indies selectors need to ring in the changes in the bowling department if we are to compete.”

National coaching director Baldath Mahabir said West Indies must change their mind-set as to the inclusion of spinners in the team. “People may say that we don’t have top quality spinners, but are the fast  men top quality,? He asked. “We must change our mind-set and look to include spin into the attack. We must not waste the experience of Mahendra Nagamootoo or the talent of Suliemann Benn. This is the only way we can restrict teams at the moment at least.” The third Test starts on May 2, at Kensington Oval, Barbados.