The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President, Hilbert Foster expressed great disappointment over the non-selection of Veerasammy Permaul on the Test tour to England. Foster and his vibrant Board are seeking an explanation on this action.
BCB Statement
Does performance matter any more in West Indies cricket or the players are being judged by other factors that we are unaware of. Those were the thoughts of the BCB when we heard about the non-selection of Veersammy Permaul from a 14 man touring squad to tour England that will depart on June 8. It gets more puzzling when he cannot even make the squad of eleven reserves despite been the leading bowler in the 2020 regional four days tournament with 50 wickets, including three five wickets hauls in an innings and two ten wickets haul in a match.
Some of the players who have made the team have not even come close to Permaul performance and yet continues to be ahead of him in the eyes of the selectors. What message are the West Indies Selectors sending to our players when they turn a blind eye to performances of the highest standard and rewarding those at rock bottom.
In the last six years, Permaul of the Albion CC has taken 290 wickets at the senior four days level at an average of 16.90 and has 18 five wickets haul and seven ten wickets haul in a match. These performances are unmatched by anyone in the Caribbean and yet he last played test cricket in 2015, ODI in 2017, and 20/20 in 2018. The BCB would like to condemn in the strongest possible way the sickening treatment been handed out to this outstanding son of Berbice and would like for an explanation to been given on his non-selection.
Has a decision been taken that Permaul career is over at just 30 years old, is there another unknown factor for his non-selection, is he indiscipline, is he consider just a regional bowler or is he too old. We deserve to know as the BCB is, without doubt, the hardest working cricket board in the Caribbean and we would not sit back and watch our cricketers being treated like second class when they deserve better. Over the last decade, I have always found Permaul to be a very committed, focused, discipline, and whole heartened player.
It is an undisputed fact that based on performances, Veersammy Permaul deserves to be on a senior regional team and this profound nonsense needs to stop with immediate effect. Shame on the persons responsible for his non-selection and surely you must have some guilt in your conscience, that you did the young man wrong.
My dear Berbicians, I would like to plea with you to pray for our young hero, that God would continue to bless him, to inspire him, and to give him the courage to continue working. Continue to break down the door with performances so that they would recognize that they have been wrong to you. Berbicians have been known for their inner courage and strength and we always rise to the top despite efforts to keep us down.
Please be assured of my personal support along with the entire management of the BCB and we would continue to do so until justice is given. To Mr. Vemen Walters and the Albion CC, please keep the faith and upkeep the good work, you are doing to keep Berbice Cricket flying high.