Dear Editor,
As we are all aware West Indies cricket has been in the doldrums for the longest while now, where we are either number eight or nine in the rankings in all three formats of the game and I want to submit that one of the main reasons is because we have never selected the best team to represent us over the years and that includes under the chairmanship of Clyde Butts, Clive Lloyd and Courtney Brown. I think I have seen a marked improvement under the Roger Harper-led selection panel and I do hope this will continue in the future so that we can move up the rankings of world cricket. Having said that, I would like to highlight the plight of one young man who has been given a raw deal for the longest while now by successive West Indies selection panels and that young man is Veerasammy Permaul.
How on earth a bowler who has dominated regional cricket for the past six years, either topping the chart or coming in second year after year has only played six tests and seven one day internationals for the West Indies is mystifying. In addition to that he has taken 536 wickets from 121 matches in his entire career, 18 of which came from his six test matches. Editor, these stats boggle the mind as to why this young man has not been given more opportunities to play for the West Indies when cricketers with lesser abilities and stats continue to be selected. Let me give one example. I recently came across some stats for Kraigg Brathwaite, in his last ten tests he is averaging 12 runs per innings and yet he continues to play for the West Indies and there are many more examples too numerous to mention. Is it a case of insularity or ethnic considerations? I don’t know. Take your pick. What more must Veerasammy Permaul do to make the West Indies team?
This is a plea from me, all Guyanese and cricket loving fans throughout the West Indies who have our cricket at heart and hoping to see our team at the pinnacle of world cricket in the not too distant future, call on our own Roger Harper and his selection panel to right a wrong and select Veerasammy Permaul in the next West Indies test and one day squad. And please, give him a good run like all the rest have been given.
Yours faithfully,
Imtiaz Baccus
