Has English model taken over selection of cricketers?

THE EDITOR: A letter to the editor on the recycling of failures showed the lame understanding by the CWI board and its appointees. What I have noticed – and likely most who follow West Indies cricket – is that things done by the board has a certain amount of "ah wee boys," as the Tobagonian saying goes.

The president appoints his good friend, who is a failure, to the post of director of cricket. This same affiliation of Vincies likely accounts for the inclusion of a spin bowler, who is not good, in the team for the series against India.

The current chief of selectors, who was a great batsman but has shown he does not have the wherewithal to carry out the duties, brought in a failed Bajan-Englishman to assist.

The team chosen for the India tour to the West Indies has to be the swan song for a lot of players. Gabriel and Roach at 35+ each are now destined for veterans cricket. Blackwood should have been out of the team a long time ago.

Reifer has not shown anything to be in another West Indies team; only God and the board know why he has been picked. While Cornwall is a better pick than Warrican, he needs to lose weight to make any team (mind you he is fit for the West Indies team and Hetmeyer is not).

Lastly, Holder has another couple years but he has run out of ideas in how to play the game recently. He has gone from best all-rounder in the world to a mediocre player at best.

Succession planning should have seen players like Sinclair being touted as a future asset, Hodge and Cartey, a good right-arm leg spinner, Seales (when back from injury) and a couple more fast bowlers.

The biggest concern at present is why is Hope, Pooran, King and Hosein are not in the West Indies team against India? Looks like the English model has taken over our selection process.

LARRY SOOKLALSINGH

via e-mail