Sir Viv picks Ramdin as skipper

BRIDGETOWN: West Indies batting legend Sir Vivian Richards has earmarked Denesh Ramdin as a possible candidate to lead the embattled regional side. Sir Viv, the most successful captain in West Indies history, said Ramdin possessed all the qualities necessary for leadership and at some point, regional selectors need to turn their attention to him. “I don’t know if people may think he is too young or what but you look at the quality young (Denesh) Ramdin brings to our team,” Sir Viv told reporters during a ceremony to mark the hand-over of the US$100,000 to the Barbados Cricket Association, on behalf of the Stanford Twenty20 Friday.

“Notably the intelligence factor, (he) looks pretty brave in my view. (He has) all the qualities that are needed and I think we may have to turn our attention at some point to this individual.”  Despite playing only five Tests after making his debut against Sri Lanka last year, Ramdin has managed to impress with his efficient glove-work and intelligent batting. The 20-year-old has struck two half centuries, including a top score of 71 against Australia in the recent series Down Under and has also snared 13 victims.  Sir Viv said the other contenders for the captaincy position had not advanced their causes in recent time and though current captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul needed to be given a chance, he had to be temporary measure. 

“Ramdin impresses me very much, very much because we are all speaking about future captains,” Sir Viv continued. “Some of the guys presently with the experience who are there have basically let themselves down over the years. (They) haven’t learnt anything. They haven’t quite maybe used the opportunity to progress themselves and stake a claim and be positive about the fact that they would like to lead West Indies team.”

He added: “Ramdin at this point, I don’t think he could do worse but I think it must be temporary at this point having Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the helm and I believe that later on, the attention must certainly return to young Ramdin.” “We have the best (captain) at this stage and we have got to treat it like that. He’s the most experienced individual at this point and even though maybe in the last series he wasn’t that successful, we must give him an opportunity.” (CMC)