The new selection panel of Cricket West Indies (CWI) has selected its 13-man squad for the upcoming Test series against England. The 3-match Test series begins on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022. The Tests are scheduled to be played at three different venues: the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the Kensington Oval in Barbados, and the National Stadium in Grenada.
There has been much discussion across the region, following the announcement of the squad. The main issue of contention seems to be the choice for the second opening position; the opening partner for Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the batting order. The selectors went with John Campbell over Jeremy Solozano. Other contenders probably were: Kieran Powell, Tage Chanderpaul, and Chandrapaul Hemraj.
Solozana must have considered himself very unlucky not to retain his position in the Test squad, having performed creditably thus far in the ongoing regional FC championship. It probably was a difficult decision by the selectors when they sat to choose between the two; the incumbent Solozano and the tried and tested John Campbell.
Solozano who was unfortunately injured in the first Test in the series against Sri Lanka in November last year, while fielding at close to the wicket, did not get an opportunity to prove himself with the bat at the International level. His selection to the West Indies team for that series, by the previous selection panel, seems to have been as a result of his FC performances in the regional season before the tour. He came in to fill a position that has been a problematic area for the West Indies for some time.
Some persons have argued that as the incumbent, the selectors should have continued with Solozano. After all, his knock of 66 in this year’s FC tournament should have been good enough to enable him to retain his spot as the opening partner to Kraigg Brathwaite. The selectors saw it differently. It seems that John Campbell’s performances in the first two rounds of the regional tournament not only impressed the selectors but convinced them that he was the better of the two. For the FC matches that he has played thus far, Campbell has scored 213 runs at an average of 53.25, including a solid, impressive knock of 127 against Barbados. But was that enough for him to be recalled to the team? This is a big gamble on the part of the selectors. Maybe the selectors want to send an early message to players….that they will be rewarded for performances at the FC level.
A bit more on John Campbell. One reason why he was probably dropped from the West Indies team, could have been that technical flaw in batting. His lack of footwork was a major reason why he failed as an opening batsman in Tests. The New Zealand swing bowlers ruthlessly exposed his flawed technique when West Indies came up against them in December 2020. Another problem with his batting, which is in some way related to his poor footwork was his habit of pushing at deliveries outside his off-stump. Campbell does not lack ability as an opener. He is a strongly built and aggressive batsman with the potential to become a decent player. But he just wasn’t improving as an opener and therefore lost his place in the team. He was unsettled as a batsman, giving his wicket away easily, often after getting good starts. He has played 15 Test matches, with only two half-centuries and an average of 23.70. I closely watched his innings of 127 in this year’s FC tournament and was pleased with what I saw. He seems a much-improved player who apparently did some work on his game. His footwork, shot selection and temperament were generally good. If he can continue in that vein he should do well in this upcoming Test series.
Solozano will get more opportunities to show his worth, and it is good to see
that he was included in the CWI President’s X1 Squad
for the four-day warm-up match against England at
the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, beginning
next Tuesday, March 1st. It is also great to see Shane
Dowrich as captain of that President’s X1 squad, with
Raymon Reifer as vice-captain. Both were serious
contenders for Test consideration.
John DaSilva has performed quite well and therefore retained his place
in the Test squad as the wicket-keeper batsman,
keeping out Dowrich who has looked in good form.
Shamarh Brooks gets back into the Test squad, but
Shai Hope and Roston Chase miss out, obviously due
to poor form with the bat. In my opinion, however,
like John Campbell, Roston Chase could have been
given another opportunity. I feel he could have been
an added asset to the team as a spinner. I hope the
selectors are not now only considering him as a whiteball
cricketer. Chase, however, needs to go back to
the drawing board as far as his batting is concerned.
The competition for places in the batting order is
heating up rather nicely. Competition, we hope, will
encourage better performances from our batsmen to
either get in or retain their positions in the team.
Regarding the bowling, the selectors must be
commended for including the young promising fast
bowler, Anderson Phillip, in the squad. He may not
start in this series. He has been very impressive in
the ongoing FC regional championship. In the first
two rounds, the 25-year-old fast bowler; has so far
bagged 12 wickets at an average of 14.25 per wicket,
with best figures of 5-82. He joins lead bowler Kemar
Roach, Jason Holder, the rejuvenated Alzarri Joseph,
and the lone spinner Veersammy Permaul to complete
a bowling attack that will surely be tested against the
English batsmen. Shannon Gabriel is sadly missing. His
injury issues continue and his days in maroon colours
may be coming to an end.
So what can we expect from West Indies in this home
series against England? We will soon know the answer
to that question.
For England, there have been several changes to
the Test squad following its disastrous and highly
embarrassing ‘Ashes’ Test series in Australia. The
country’s two leading wicket-takers in Tests, James
Anderson and Stuart Broad have both been left out of
the squad for the upcoming tour to the West Indies. This comes
as a surprise to many. It seems that the interim selection panel
wants to give opportunities to a younger set of pace bowlers,
including the uncapped pair; Saqib Mahmood and Mathew Fisher.
Besides Anderson and Broad, Jos Butler, Rory Burns, David
Malan, Sam Billings, and Dom Bess all missed out.
West Indies, therefore, has the perfect opportunity to perform
well against this English squad and might even go on to win the
series.
The West Indies players must, however,bear in mind that
they are coming up against a team ranked fourth in the world and
will still have to do battle against players like captain Joe Root,
Johnny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson.
West Indies has to show their ability to take 20 wickets in a match,
to press home the advantage when they have England against the
wall and bowl well, taking all their catches. The batsmen need
to bat sensibly, build solid partnerships and put up scores over
350.
West Indies batting will be again led by Kraigg Brathwaite
whose recent performances should boost his confidence. Bonner
or Brooks will likely occupy positions 3 and 4, followed by
Blackwood, Mayers, DaSilva, and Holder. Will our boys triumph?
It is left to be seen.