Was it just me or were you also left stunned by the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) executive firing of chairman of selectors Anthony Gray and fellow selector Keno Mason?
Since the TTCB gave no logical explanation as to why they were fired, I thought, "What could these two gentlemen have done so wrong that they were so casually thrown out?"
Somehow, two other selectors, Rajendra Mangalie and Mahadeo Bodoe were retained. Mangalie is the head of the board’s marketing committee and was made chairman of selectors. Bodoe was offered the position of chairman but turned it down due to lack of time. Apparently, he has enough time to be a selector. But, I suppose that the chairman has much more work to do.
What is truly baffling is that this bunch of selectors carried the team from last and second-to-last in the standings, to second in the Four-Day regional competition and in the semifinals of the Super 50 Tournament by playing nine games and winning seven — not bad for a team that was struggling in the 2018- 2019 season.
Individually, more than in previous seasons, players were being recognised by the West Indies cricket selectors and at last, fans started to see some light at the end of the tunnel for T&T’s cricket.
To be honest, I feel more for Keno Mason in this sordid affair but unfortunately, he had to be made the scapegoat. This was Mason’s first stint as a national selector and what was his sin? Did he support Gray against the board openly in meetings? Did the board think that he was just a follower rather than having a mind of his own? Was the board not impressed by his demeanour before, during and after games?
I first met Mason when I managed the T&T team in the Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica and you could not meet a finer individual; he was a credit to the national team - dedicated and a real team player. I was not surprised by his responses when asked why he thought he was not retained as a selector simply saying the board can do what they want.
He is right. The board can do what they want but justice must not always be done but seen to be done. It is obvious that Gray paid the price for something other than how he selects the national team and Mason, as I have already intimated, had to take the fall as well. Do we all remember the incident with a former West Indies player and his public outburst against Gray which, as far as I know, was just swept under the carpet?
Once again, the unashamed high-handedness of the TTCB has shone through and unfortunately, there will be no challenge from other board or zonal members as to the reasons behind these unjust sackings because everybody is scared. They all need to protect their own turf and seek their interests. Indeed, another sad day in the annals of our cricket.
Tomorrow is the start of the T20 series between New Zealand and the West Indies and what can we expect from the Caribbean team? I genuinely expect us to give the Kiwis real problems. Although there is no Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons or Andre Russell, I am still hopeful that there is enough firepower in the batting. I would have loved to have seen Darren Bravo play at least the first two games because he has been in such fine form since the Super-50 tournament here in T&T in 2019.
On the other hand, Brandon King has to settle down opening the batting as he is a remarkably gifted player but takes far too many risks early in his knock. We understand that as openers in the power play, one has to get the team off to a quick and positive start but still play smart yet exciting cricket. I am looking forward to seeing how Nicholas Pooran handles himself on this tour as both himself and Shimron Hetmyer need to start to show the world just how good they are at the international level. Haven’t we said this before?
Skipper Kieron Pollard will have the team ready to fight fire with fire and for many of the players, it will be an important tour to establish themselves. We can look through the names and there is no doubt the talent is there.
Interestingly, Brendon McCullum, who is very familiar with the Caribbean players at T20 level, has already warned his countrymen not to take the West Indies lightly as the team possesses many match winners.
The New Zealand selectors have given the West Indies a great opportunity to win the series as they have left out two of their most potent players at T20 level in captain Kane Williamson and Trent Boult. But while Pollard and his men would be happy with that decision, they will still oppose a formidable team.
Familiar names such as Tim Southee, Martin Guptill, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert and Ross Taylor make up the squad. Scott Kuggeleijn (remember him with the St Lucia Zouks?) is only selected for the third T20 game which should give us all an indication of just how good a squad New Zealand can produce.
Undoubtedly, It will be an exciting T20 series as New Zealand is also rebuilding their shorter version of the game but flair and exciting cricket alone will not win the series for the West Indies. Instead, intelligent cricket along with dedication and the right attitude some 8,500 miles from home ought to see them through.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of any organisation of which he is a stakeholder.