**Official** West Indies domestic season 2010

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

In other news, Darren Bravo has made his comeback from injury and should be in the T & T lineup for the next round.

Excellent news!

With Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (and Dwayne Bravo, to a lesser extent) missing this season, it's been a torrid time for the batsmen.

 

[Beamer]

Agreed. Plus missing so much of this season has been unfortunate for him as he had made such a breakthrough last year.

I really hope the A team tours happen and he gets a chance to get some runs under his belt that way.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

What should an A team look like?

Kraigg Brathwaite (Barbados, 17)
Rajindra Chandrika (Guyana, 20)
Daren Ganga (T&T, 31, captain) - for some leadership
Darren Bravo (T&T, almost 21)
Narsingh Deonarine (Guyana, 26, vice-captain) - unless he breaks into the first team by then
Dave Bernard jr. (Jamaica, 28)
Shane Dowrich (Barbados, 18, wicketkeeper)
Imran Khan (T&T, 25)
Kevin McClean (Barbaods, 22)
Jason Holder (Barbados, 18)
Jason Bennett (Barbados, 27)

Odean Brown (Jamaica, 27)
Lionel Baker (Montserrat, 25)
Sharmarh Brooks (Barbados, 21)
Andre Creary (Jamaica, 19)
Donavan Pagon (Jamaica, 27)
Nikita Miller (Jamaica, 27)
Andre Fletcher (Grenada, 22, backup wicketkeeper)

I'm sure I'm missing someone very obvious, and there are a few too many >25 names in there.

 

[Beamer]

It's probably a bit too early for Chandrika. I'd imagine they'd go for Omar Phillips or Kieron Powell even though he has had a poor season so far. As for Jason Bennett, I've given up on any hope that he will get his rewards.

I reckon a realistic A team would be:

Kraigg Brathwaite (Barbados)
Omar Phillips (CCC)
Narsingh Deonarine (Guyana)
Darren Bravo (T&T)
Kieron Pollard (T & T)
Floyd Reifer (CCC - why else would he get a developmental contract?)
Devon Thomas (Leewards)
Imran Khan (T & T)
Jason Holder (Barbados)
Kevin McClean (CCC)
Brandon Bess (Guyana)

Squad Members:

Shane Dowrich (Barbados)
Andre Creary (Jamaica)
Odean Brown (Jamaica)
Nikita Miller (Jamaica)
Jason Dawes (Jamaica)

Notes:

- You might disagree with the selection of Bess but he has already played for the A team and been identified for the attributes he has as a big fast bowler.
- I would prefer Ganga as a lead as well but they have given Reifer a contract so I would be shocked if he wasn't leader of the A team.
- Kieron Pollard deserves to be on the A team as he has a decent FC record and has talent that can be nurtured. His place on the team may be scuppered by the IPL.

 

[shivfan]

How long is Barath expected to be out of action for?

And who will Darren Bravo replace in the current side? Perkins?

Barbados have declared at 292 for seven after 55 minutes' play. They have set the Windwards a target of 273 in a minimum of 77 overs.

They're 51-1 now, with Devon Smith and Andre Fletcher at the crease.

 

[Beamer]

There has been a worrying silence over the extent of Barath's injury which leads me to believe he won't be back for a while yet.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

And who will Darren Bravo replace in the current side? Perkins?

Narine was barely used in the last match. Stupid pick really. He drops out.

Guillen
Perkins
Daren
DaBra
JMo
Sherwin
Khan
GMo +
Kelly
Gabriel
Jaggs

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It's probably a bit too early for Chandrika. I'd imagine they'd go for Omar Phillips or Kieron Powell even though he has had a poor season so far. As for Jason Bennett, I've given up on any hope that he will get his rewards.

Phillips scored 2 half-centuries to start the season (v T&T) and has done nothing since. A very average batsman from what I've seen. They probably will pick him because of what he did against Bangladesh, but he's not good enough at this stage. But at 23, he can improve. Chandrika has better balance at the crease though.

Devon Thomas (Leewards)

Yep, I can get down with this. I only named Fletcher because, at the time, I couldn't think of a better prospect. Shane Dowrich already looks better though.

Squad Members:

Shane Dowrich (Barbados)
Andre Creary (Jamaica)
Odean Brown (Jamaica)
Nikita Miller (Jamaica)
Jason Dawes (Jamaica)

Jason Dawes? He hasn't played a FC match since last year. And he's only played the one. Can't see why they would pick him, or why they should.

- You might disagree with the selection of Bess but he has already played for the A team and been identified for the attributes he has as a big fast bowler.
- I would prefer Ganga as a lead as well but they have given Reifer a contract so I would be shocked if he wasn't leader of the A team.
- Kieron Pollard deserves to be on the A team as he has a decent FC record and has talent that can be nurtured. His place on the team may be scuppered by the IPL.

I have no doubt that Bess will be selected for an A team. I just don't think he should. They only gave Reifer a contract as reward for being on the WICB's side last year, and I knew I forgot someone out, in Pollard. Definitely in the team.

 

[Beamer]

Jason Dawes? He hasn't played a FC match since last year. And he's only played the one. Can't see why they would pick him, or why they should.

He hasn't done anything to earn a place, I agree, but it's just a gut feeling I have that the selectors rate him. They were going to select him for the A team tour of Zimbabwe after the previous Under 19 World Cup (before it got cancelled) and they selected him for a tour match against the Sri Lankans when they were last here.

They only gave Reifer a contract as reward for being on the WICB's side last year, and I knew I forgot someone out, in Pollard. Definitely in the team.

I really hope this is the case but I have my doubts. As you said, Darren Ganga or Tamar Lambert would be the best choices as captain of an A team, with Ganga being my preferred option.

Phillips scored 2 half-centuries to start the season (v T&T) and has done nothing since. A very average batsman from what I've seen. They probably will pick him because of what he did against Bangladesh, but he's not good enough at this stage. But at 23, he can improve. Chandrika has better balance at the crease though.

I don't rate Phillips either, he plays too many rash shots against the spinners and slices the ball through backward point at catchable height with monotonous regularity. I just think it is inevitable that they will pick him.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I really hope this is the case but I have my doubts. As you said, Darren Ganga or Tamar Lambert would be the best choices as captain of an A team, with Ganga being my preferred option.

I'm certain I read that this is the case when the contracts were awarded initially. I'll have a dig to see if I can find the article. As for Tamar Lambert, I like the guy, but he needs to get into shape.

I don't rate Phillips either, he plays too many rash shots against the spinners and slices the ball through backward point at catchable height with monotonous regularity. I just think it is inevitable that they will pick him.

Well he's been startlingly poor. He was dropped in each innings (IIRC) v T&T, who were generally poor. He scored 158 runs for once out in that match. He's scored just 79 runs for 6 times out since.

But yes, they'll pick him.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

This:

As promised, contracts have been given to all those hurriedly called up for the first Test against Bangladesh in St Vincent in July after the selected 13 withdrew because of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) dispute with the WICB, mainly over contracts.

From this. No way would Reifer have been given a contract otherwise. 37 years old and waaaaaaay past it.

 

[Beamer]

Well that's a relief. It still makes me laugh that they classified Reifer's as a development contract though.

Only the WICB could come up with something like that

 

[shivfan]

Tino Best took a five-fer to lead Barbados to victory over Windwards....

A recall for Tino?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Tino Best took a five-fer to lead Barbados to victory over Windwards....

A recall for Tino?

More likely than Gavin Tonge being Test quality.

 

[roseboy64]

Daren Powell taking off the rest of the season due to personal problems. Jerome Taylor started training again today and with the Jamaica team as well as they trained together for the first time since returning home.

 

[shivfan]

Good move by Powell....

He's gone up in my estimation, a bit, for that unselfish move. He's opened the door for Richardson and Dawes, who could enhance their claims for a place in the WI side. Powell was never going to be recalled to the Windies, and he already has a county contract with Lancashire.

Somehow, I doubt Taylor will be fit enough to play in the next round. Maybe the round after tha....

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Jason Dawes hasn't even been in the squad all season. I'd be pleasantly surprised if he plays.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

WICB wary of Beyonce damage

 

[shivfan]

WICB wary of Beyonce damage

Is the next round being played in Trinidad?

 

[shivfan]

Braithwaite, Holder and Dowrich, who all impressed for the WI under-19 team, are all included in the Barbados squad for the next round....

The Barbados Advocate

Patrick Browne is one of those dropped....