By Brandon Corlette
Veteran Cricket Commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira has endorsed the selection of promising batsman Alick Athanaze to the West Indies Test team to play South Africa from February 28. He has, however, been surprised that the 28-year-old Akeem Jordan has been selected to the team, describing Jordan as more of a medium-seam bowler.
“I am very happy for Athanaze. He has been showing not only promise, but back at the Under-19 World Cup…he would have scored the most runs. He has made runs in the 50-overs, he made runs in the Four-Day, and if they want to blood a new batsman for the future, there is a couple of questions in the middle order; nobody turning out to be anyone of outstanding ability,” the veteran commentator has said.
In relation to Jordan, who has played five first-class matches and taken 24 wickets, but is yet to take a five-wicket haul at that level, Reds has said: “My first thought regarding Jordan was ‘a little bit surprised’. He is 28 years old, and bowls just a little bit of medium pace.
“I thought of Jair McCallister, the 22-year-old, 6’3” Bajan fast-bowler. He was good on pace but short of experience. Although pace is needed in South Africa, I thought of two left-arm medium-fast: Preston McSween and Colin Archibald. It would make good balance for the West Indies side if they have a left-arm over, and I would have gone for Mc Sween,” Reds explained.
The veteran cricket commentator, who now resides in St Lucia, noted that the West Indies selectors had made an error in selecting Jomel Warrican for the Zimbabwe tour, since Gudakesh Motie was in the team. Reds is also advocating for Brandon King to play Test cricket.
“It showed that the selectors made an error. Instead of taking Jomel Warrican to Zimbabwe, I would have carried a left-arm seamer to add variety. I would not have taken Bonner, I would have gone for someone like Brandon King, someone you can use for the future. Both Motie and Warrican was not needed in Zimbabwe, and ironically, both Bonner and Warrican did not bowl a ball or bat in Zimbabwe.”
On Wednesday, Cricket West Indies announced two white-ball captains in Rovman Powell and Shai Hope. Reds believes this is a good move from the regional board.
“A very good move by Cricket West Indies by splitting the captains. It certainly did not work in the case (of) appointing Pooran, who had little experience as a player. That was a huge error, and it backfired a great deal,” he declared.
“Sometime ago, I was on record saying that Powell and Hope should be captain. Powell has the background of leading for Jamaica, and Hope was vice-captain for over a year, so I am very happy.”
In an era when franchise cricket is being played almost every month, the veteran Reds has said the appointment of Powell and Hope will give the duo more time to play cricket for the West Indies. “It also means that those players become West Indian players, and they are not lost in the franchise. That would give their playing life longer playing careers. We hope to see that rebuilding process under Powell and Hope,” Reds explained. (GTimes)
FULL SQUAD: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeem Jordan, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach and Devon Thomas.
Match schedule in South Africa
21 to 24 February: vs South Africa Invitational XI at Willowmoore Park, Benoni
28 February to 4 March: 1st Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion
8-12 March: 2nd Test at the Wanderers, Johannesburg
Thursday, 16 March: 1st ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
Saturday, 18 March: 2nd ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
Tuesday, 21 March: 3rd ODI at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Saturday, 25 March: 1st T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, 26 March: 2nd T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Tuesday, 28 March: 3rd T20I at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (night)