Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne has hinted that the West Indies Cricket Board may re-think their stringent selection criteria in coming days. The change in policy, if effected, would be a great boost to the dwindling reputation of West Indies cricket.
At present, the WICB considers only those players who have featured in the domestic 50-over competition. This rule has irked the international superstars, who freelance as T20 specialists playing in various parts of the world, as it makes them ineligible for selection.
Numerous names like Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell have been away from the national setup for a while now but a ray of hope can bee is seen now.
The absence of such impact players has been clearly visible as West Indies, the former champions, failed to qualify for the upcoming Champions Trophy after failing to meet the ODI ranking requirements.
“There is some discussion going on about revisiting the eligibility rule,” Browne told Line and Length, a Barbados-based network. “I know it’s a working committee. That will then go to the board. But we have to understand our domestic cricket is key.
The chief reason behind the catastrophic criteria of disallowing cricketers skipping the Regional 50-50 overs tournament was to give ample opportunities to the local talents.
However, a dispute arose quickly as the established names felt that packed schedule does not allow them to remain available for domestic tournaments.
The disagreement between the cricketers and the board only grew in the past couple of years. Bravo had recently said he was available for T20 selection but would not give up his contracts to play domestic cricket in the West Indies as playing in those tournaments did not guarantee selection.
He had also said things could change if “structure changes or something different happens”.
Browne now seems to be showing interest in the ‘changes’ but, at the same time, also made it clear the preference will be for young players who have come through the regional system.
“Players coming out of domestic cricket and showing they can perform at the international level is important. Yes, we have to look at it [the eligibility rule] but also be mindful that we have to develop our own domestic product, a stage where we can have a very good standard of regional cricket.”
“We have a lot of young developing players, they’re all bunched together in terms of number of Tests, that’s par for the course. When you have a bunch of people you’re exposing to international cricket, you will tend to get these sorts of performances. But the good thing about it is, you have the coaching team and you have to give them some time to develop players.
The absence of such players gave opportunities to the WICB selectors to try new names. In the most recent Test series against Pakistan, Vishaul Singh and West Indies’s former U-19 captain Shimron Hetmyer were picked based on the performance in the domestic cricket. The duo did a functional job.
But, Browne is confident of the development of players like the duo and many other will happen over the course of next few years.
“There’s no regret [in giving them opportunities]. They came through the system, we understand they’re young players and need time to develop. When you’re looking at development process, it’s going to be a slow process. We’re not going to find a sensation overnight.”
“They’ve shown the fans here’s a bunch of young people who are showing fight. It has shown the players too that with determination and passion like that, you can be competitive.”