Asks Romario Samaroo
Over the last four seasons, Guyana Jaguars’ wicket-keeper/batsman, Anthony Bramble, has staked his claim for a senior call p, but like many outstanding performers, he has been overlooked once again.
Cricket West Indies on Thursday announced a squad for the upcoming ‘A’ team series between West Indies and India in the Caribbean.
The two sides will clash in three tests and five one day matches.
Looking at Bramble’s statistics over the last Regional Four-Day tournament, he has been by far the leading wicket-keeper/batsman.
With the gloves, Bramble led the way with 43 dismissals this season and 45 last season compared to Jamar Hamilton who had nine and 16 dismissals respectively although he played five matches less than the 28-year-old West Indies B skipper across the two seasons.
With the bat, Bramble averages 31.2 to Hamilton’s 27.2. This season, Bramble was one of only four batsmen to score two centuries this season where he returned an average of 52.7, the best of all batsmen scoring over 500 runs in the tournament.
Like Bramble, left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul has maintained a consistent run in the longer format, topping the bowling charts for the last three seasons while this season finished with 42 scalps, second only to off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (54 wickets).
Also missing out on A team selection was Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s Imran Khan who has 42 wickets and scored 438 runs with two half centuries.
Meanwhile, Jomel Warrican continues to be selected despite having average domestic performances taking 25 wickets in five matches.
Jamaican, Akim Frazer has also been included in the Four-Day side, playing just four matches with 20 wickets to his name and no five-wicket haul.
Looking at the seamers, Shermon Lewis was given the nod, taking 23 wickets in the first-class season but Clinton Pestano, who has 22 scalps and 214 runs in Guyana’s bowling campaign on their way to their fifth consecutive title, was also left on the cutting board.
Another shocking choice was the non-selection of left-hand opener, Chandrapaul Hemraj.
Hemraj, who played six One Day Internationals for the West Indies in 2018 had a decent run in the four-day tournament, with 350 runs from six matches but it was his average of 71 and strike rate of 116 in the Regional Super50 that should have merited him selection.
The 29-year-old Kjorn Ottley has been selected for the limited overs side averaging 38 in the Super50 and 26 in List A, with two half centuries.
Like Ottley, Barbados-born Akeem Jordon was also selected. Jordon, who turned out for the Combined Colleges and Campuses in the Regional Super50 where he made his debut season had 16 wickets in eight matches.
Speaking on the teams, Chairman of the Interim Selection Panel said, “It was felt that the regular Test players who are available should play the first and second Four-Day matches of this series. This would be part of their preparation for the upcoming senior team Tests against the Indian senior team, as they would have had limited red-ball match practice in recent times.
“As such, the squad for the third Four-Day match will have five replacement players. This will allow the regular Test players to gain recovery time before they enter the preparation camp for the Tests against the Indian senior team.”
One Day squad: Roston Chase (captain), Sunil Ambris, John Campbell, Jonathan Carter, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Akeem Jordan, Kjorn Ottley, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Devon Thomas
1st and 2nd “test” squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Sunil Ambris, Jermaine Blackwood, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Chemar Holder, Shermon Lewis, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican
3rd “test” squad: Shamarah Brooks (captain), Sunil Ambris, Jermaine Blackwood, Miguel Cummins, Akim Frazer, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Chemar Holder, Brandon King, Shermon Lewis, Raymon Reifer, Jeremy Solozano and Jomel Warrican
