AT LAST THE WEST INDIES selectors have axed wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin, but it took long in coming.
The new chairman, former Barbados captain and West Indies wicketkeeper Courtney Browne, who took over the reins of the selection panel from legendary former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd last month, must be a very strong person to make the decision.
Ramdin, a former West Indies skipper, has struggled with the bat in his last 11 Tests over a 12-month period, averaging 22, but showed signs of form (note what I said – showed only signs) in his last two innings on the tour of Australia scoring 59 in Melbourne last December and 62 in Sydney last January.
We the public should not be fooled by these two knocks, because it must be noted that some players in the West Indies team, who should have been axed, will score a century in a series just to maintain their play for other series. What we need are players who are consistent.
Our players will get away with it, but if they were in other teams, they would have been axed long ago.
I am very disappointed with the mouthings of three former West Indies wicketkeepers – Jeffrey Dujon, Deryck Murray and Jackie Hendriks – who were trying to make a case for the retention of Ramdin, who they are aware, was not performing when compared to other Test wicketkeepers.
What is all the fuss about, when the same Deryck Murray was axed for David Murray? Before we forget, the West Indies team have in recent years had the worst wicketkeeping all-rounders in world cricket.
We have to give the young batting keepers like Shane Dowrich from Barbados a chance and time to develop.
Dujon should remember that when he came into West Indies cricket he was more of a batsman than a wicketkeeper, but over time developed to be very good in both areas. I do hope that the young team selected to play in the four-match Test series against India will do well and shut the mouths of Dujon, Murray and Hendriks.
It is also my hope that Ramdin will be rested forever and ever, especially after what he said about the chairman of selectors.
Best of luck to the team.
Patronal festival
St Christopher’s Church’s Patronal Festival continues with youth service tonight at 7:30 at the church.
Outreach services
The Ebenezer Methodist Circuit will be holding a number of outreach services from Sunday until Tuesday on the grounds of Shrewsbury Methodist Church featuring Reverend Adolf Davis.
