Uncertainty surrounds First Test

GEORGETOWN: Uncertainty surrounded the West Indies team on the eve of the Test cricket series against South Africa, as the visiting squad confidently finished their preparation for the four-match rubber which starts today in Bourda. At a news conference launching the series, West Indies Cricket Board (wicb) CEO Roger Brathwaite was faced with questions about rumours of a possible last minute strike by some of the players.

“That’s just speculation. We certainly have no communication from the (West Indies) Players’ Association of any form of strike by the players,” Brathwaite said. “We fully expect that the final 11 once selected will take to the field tomorrow.” The WICB, in a separate statement, said that they had put forward further proposals aimed at resolving the issue surrounding the eligibility for selection of a number of players who hold personal endorsement contracts with British-based communications giant Cable and Wireless.

The board said it would send the seven individual contracts to Justice Adrian Saunders for final review and would abide by his “binding decision.” The statement said that the review should be completed prior to the end of the first test April 4. WIPA, through their president and CEO Dinanath Ramnarine, said they have always been in favour of such arbitration but have sought to maintain the status quo while the review process takes place.

The dispute kept former captain Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Fidel Edwards, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith and the injured Ravi Rampaul out of the squad for the match against South Africa. West Indies head coach Bennett King tried to put a positive spin despite the clouds hovering over his team. “Hopefully within our own side they are going to be a few diamonds appearing out of the coal,” the Australian said. Guyanese Shivnarine Chanderpaul makes his debut as captain on the same home ground where he debuted 11 years ago as a wiry 19-year-old. Chanderpaul, who has scored centuries in the last two Tests at Bourda, will head the batting with a number of unproven players for support.

Wavell Hinds, Devon Smith, Daren Ganga and Ryan Hinds have all been unconvincing at Test level, while Narsingh Deonarine and Donovan Pagon await their debuts. Wicketkeeper Courtney Browne, the new vice-captain, is the oldest member of the team at 34. The bowling is led by left-arm pacer Pedro Collins and his Barbadian colleague Corey Collymore. Daren Powell and Reon King are on comeback while Dwight Washington seeks his first opportunity. The visitors spent their first week in the Caribbean training in Antigua, but guarded against getting caught up in the controversies surrounding the home team. “The thing that we’ve really tried to do since we came over here is concentrate on our own game,” South African captain Graeme Smith said. “We’re confident, we’re looking forward to it and we’re not concentrating on the hassles of the other side. We’re concentrating on ourselves.”

Seasoned all-rounder Shaun Pollock is absent nursing a sore ankle but South Africa still possesses a side with good all-round balance. Smith is set to carry emerging talent AB de Villiers as his opening partner and allow Herschelle Gibbs to remain in a potent middle order that boasts Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph and Ashwell Prince. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje further boost the lower order batting. Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel will share the new ball in Pollock’s absence with the final seamer’s spot shared between Charl Langeveldt, Andrew Hall and Monde Zondeki.

The squads:
West Indies: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Courtney Browne (vice-captain), Wavell Hinds, Devon Smith, Daren Ganga, Ryan Hinds, Narsingh Deonarine, Donovan Pagon, Pedro Collins, Daren Powell, Corey Collymore, Dwight Washington, Reon King.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Nicky Boje (vice-captain), AB de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Andrew Hall, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Charl Langeveldt, Morne Zondeki, Boeta Dippenaar.