Davis slams strict WICB eligibility stance

Currently, the West Indies are facing England in a three-match One Day International (ODI) series without a number of their top players.

Experienced West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels was not considered for selection against England because he only played two matches for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Regional Super50 tournament earlier this year. Samuels left the regional tournament early to play in the Pakistan T20 Super League.

Davis believes it is difficult for West Indies players to play in regional tournaments constantly, due to the number of leagues around the world.

Davis said, “I don’t agree that players have to play in our (West Indies) tournaments to select them. Right now their (West Indies Cricket Board) point is that the players should come and play so they develop more cricketers in our region. That was alright 20, 30 or 40 years ago but not now.

Nowadays there is professional cricket all over the world, T20s all over the world and fellas playing professionally.” Newly appointed Director of Cricket at the WICB Jimmy Adams, stated last week that the eligibility rule needs reviewing because the current system can hurt the development of West Indies cricket. Davis said, “If they are available they should play (in regional tournaments), but if they are not available because they are playing a tournament elsewhere, that should not prevent them from representing the West Indies.” Davis explained there is a huge disparity between salaries in T20 leagues around the world and tournaments in the West Indies, which leaves West Indian players in a predicament.

Davis believes it will a tough task for West Indies against England.

“I would say on form and performance, I don’t have much hope that we will play too well against England. I always hope for the best, but I don’t always expect the best.” Davis disagrees with the decision to select a part-time wicketkeeper for the England series.

“They always select somebody to keep wicket, who they expect to make a lot of runs. They don’t see the importance and value of a wicketkeeper in his own right.” Shai Hope will perform the duties behind the stumps, after the selectors omitted Shane Dowrich from the final squad.

Davis believes the best wicketkeeper should always play. “Being a strong wicketkeeper means he is worth 30 runs before he even goes to bat.

For instance he will take a wonderful catch or take a fast stumping.” West Indies lost the first ODI to England by 45 runs on Friday.

The second match will be played today and the last match will be contested on Thursday