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Gayle pick is blasted
Published on: 11/5/2009.
SYDNEY, Australia - Controversial international cricket correspondent Peter Roebuck has blasted Chris Gayle's reappointment as West Indies captain, slamming the move as "beyond comprehension".
Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, the British journalist said Gayle's modest record as captain and his role in the recent contracts impasse had disqualified him from taking up the post.
"Chris Gayle's nomination as West Indies captain for the coming tour Down Under is beyond comprehension," Roebuck wrote on Tuesday.
"Far from standing firm, the West Indies Cricket Board has capitulated in the most craven manner. Never mind that their captain and senior players have let them down badly and repeatedly.
"Never mind that Gayle's team was mauled in England or that a shadow side had unavoidably been sent to the Champions Trophy."
Roebuck also questioned the 29-year-old Jamaican's commitment, pointing to his late return from the Indian Premier League for the two-Test series in England earlier this year.
Gayle, who represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, created a stir when he returned less than 48 hours before the start of the first Test at Lord's back in May.
West Indies lost the match by ten wickets inside three days and were also soundly beaten by an innings and 83 runs in the second Test at Chester-le-Street.
"Sympathisers say he cares about West Indian cricket. If so, he has a curious way of showing it," Roebuck continued.
"Appointed on a wing and a prayer by authorities desperate to stop the inexorable slide in West Indian cricket, the languid Jamaican has been a profound disappointment. If nothing else, his abject performance during last winter's Test series in England ought to have cost him his job.
"He lingered longer [in the IPL], played an extra match and arrived a couple of days before the series began. So much for leadership. So much for the tradition of West Indian cricket. So much for Test cricket."
Roebuck contended that Daren Ganga would have been a better choice for captain, especially against the backdrop of how he led the Trinidad and Tobago side at the Twenty20 Champions League.
"West Indian cricket's truest leader, Daren Ganga, a tactician with a proven record and ability to unite his players, has not made the touring party," Roebuck lamented.
"Ganga has a modest record in Test cricket, but he does turn up and he does create a strong team culture of the sort West Indian cricket has been missing for decades."
While Roebuck acknowledged that Gayle's explosive batting could turn the three-Test series on its head, he said the WICB had missed the trick by returning to Gayle.
"Perhaps Gayle will set the series ablaze with brilliant batting. He has the capacity," Roebuck speculated.
"Perhaps his players will rally to the cause, whatever that may be. For now, it's hard to avoid thinking that an opportunity has been missed.
"West Indies have a powerful batting order and some handy pacemen, but it will count for nought unless the captain pulls his weight and then some. Australia cannot be beaten by the half-baked."
The Windies will leave for Australia next week where they will play Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, starting November 26. (CMC)
11 comment found!
The People Support Gayle : 11/6/2009
Peter Roebuck, who cares what you think or write: You would support a captain who cannot make the West Indian Team: Tell me, Peter Roebuck are you trying to play mind games with the Windies guys? Or are you afraid that the Windy guys will beat the Aussies and run then up and over? Peter Roebuck, with Chris as captain and the guys coming off a strike full of vigor; they are more than ready to beat the Australians and any other team you can think of. Good Luck Windy Guys. All the West Indian people are right behind you, applauding you on.
: 11/6/2009
Who the hell cares what Roebuck thinks? I am sure he can find a lot more in the UK to write about.
Regional Cricket : 11/5/2009
MR Roebuck, Can you PLEASE mind your own business? I'm not a fan of WICB, but who they appoint as captain of the WEST INDIES team is a regional issue. For too long you and yours have been meddling in our affairs. This world is full of conceited and hypocritical folks. It seems as though no one is allowed to be honest anymore. Mr. Gayle spoke from the heart; he was honest enough to say what others are thinking. When 20/20 was created it was the beginning of the end for test cricket. There are a few nations out there that really don't care if test cricket comes to a screeching halt. I for one will not sit through a five day game again. As for the contract impasse every union worker has the right to fight for their rights. Mr. Gayle and the other players who withdrew from the Bangladesh tour had the right too. Cricket is a billion dollar sport and with that the players have the right to be compensated fairly as long as they are picked to represent the regional team. I get so angry when people say that the pride is not there anymore. I don't believe that for one moment. But I would to see how much groceries you will get for pride. This is 2009 and we need to stop comparing things to 1975, those days are gone. The tour of England was planned after the IPL was already contracted; this issue was part of the contract impasse. The players are backing Mr. GAYLE TO CAPTAIN THE W.I CRICKET TEAM AND THAT SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE FANS. Good luck down under, you don't have to win but you do have to put up some resistance.
WE SHALL SEE : 11/5/2009
If Ganga at 30 years cannot make the West Indies team that just goes to show us that we will be dead meat down under. While Australia is bringing in players at 30 while at the top of their game, West Indies are discarded players at 29 in a team that cannot win a warm-up match. GO FIGURE!
Gayle : 11/5/2009
Let us thank Mr. Roebuck for opening out eyes. Tell him also we have enough talent in the West Indies to coach and manage our team. I never understood the reason why we had to hire a coach from outside of the region. Can someone on the blog can enlighten me on this matter.
Gayle pick is blasted : 11/5/2009
Mr. Roebuck leave West Indies affairs alone. Gayle is the best man for the job despite his record.
Roebuck : 11/5/2009
I am tired of reading some of the tripe written by individuals trying to sell newspapers. He would be happy to have Ganga instead of Gayle in the team period.That would only weaken the team.What W.I has to do is hold on to their catches and not give their wickets away playing silly shots.If ganga could instill this in himself and the other layers and Gayle could not then there would be cause for change. It is not Gayles fault that W.I accepted going to England so soon after they had beaten England at home in conditions not suited for cricket.Also why should he give up getting payed playing in IPL to go play for W.I and not get paid. Who is going to support him and his family? Not too many of us would work for nothing.
: 11/5/2009
Again who cares what you think Peter Roebuck, who are you anyway?
Gayle Pick blasted : 11/5/2009
This is typical of outside observers making comments about WI cricket. Roebuck criticises the WICB for choosing Gayle, then acknowledges that Gayle has the capacity to turn the series on its head with his batting, and that 'his' players will rally to the cause. In my humble opinion that's what a captain is all about so what is Roebuck really saying. He would like to have Ganga as a leader so the Australians would beat up on us as they like. That's what happens if you have 'experts' outside the region making your policy...similar to having the Privy Council decide our legal appeals. We'll make our own decisions, thank you!
Ganga as Captain : 11/5/2009
Another Gangarite since peter Roebuck cares so much about west indies cricket to pen an item concerning the captaincy and what a big mistake the board has made in going back to gayle,won't he think that going with a captain who can't command his place in a team would eventually cause a problem in that same team.
Gayle pick is blasted : 11/5/2009
What a crock. This article is off base. Since when people cannot reconcile differences. This is the same Peter Roebuck who was instrumental in blocking Somerset attempt to renew the overseas contract of Viv Richards and Joel Garner in 1986!!! We have forgiven his short-sightedness long ago. He even admits that Gayle may set the series with his batting!! Like I said, off base article. Too emotional
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