Kemar Roach must not be undermined

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach.
West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach.
AP Photo/ Eranga Jayawardena, file

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach has proven his qualities as a bowler and his place in the final 11 should not have been undermined. Roach was not chosen to play in the Test series against India in the Caribbean. While Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards were chosen in the Test series and deserved their places in the team, Roach should have been selected.

Roach is an established player and he should not be ignored by the selectors. During the last two tours of Sri Lanka, it was Roach who was outstanding. He troubled all the Sri Lankan batsmen and picked up vital wickets. Why must the top fast bowler be ignored by the selectors?

Bangladesh Spinners

West Indies batsmen must be prepared to face up against Bangladesh top spinners in their upcoming series. The West Indies were mesmerized by Pakistani spinners in their last encounter in the Caribbean and indications are that there is no improvement in the West Indies batting against spinners.

Roach, Edwards And Rampaul Should Be

In The Test Squad

West Indies bowling should not be jeopardized. A Test team should have a minimum of four specialist bowlers at all times. Test matches cannot be won unless there is a balanced squad. With bowling and batting properly balanced, a Test team will stand a greater chance of winning .

Strategy Needed

The task of batting against spin on the host Bangladesh field will be difficult for the West Indies batsmen. The West Indies batsmen are well known for their inferior batting against spinners and it is hoped that Head Coach Ottis Gibson and special assistant Desmond Haynes would work harder with the players and correct their techniques in batting the slow bowling.

West Indies batsmen have to work on their respective short comings and do not depend on coaches to develop them. Developing a strong and balanced Test team is essential for West Indies cricket. The West Indies Cricket Board and its selectors must work much harder in having a minimum of 15 players with Test abilities and develop a plan to get back to the winning ways. At the moment there is no proper and comprehensive plan to restore the West Indies Cricket team to the top level.

Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo and Devendra Bishoo should have lengthy careers with West Indies cricket but more importantly, their Test careers should be more significant to push the West Indies in a step forward to regain a higher standing.

Barath is filled with talent and it is hoped that he would try to avoid the injury list and stay fit. His opening ability is enormous and he carries the aggression to propel his innings to score big. Bravo is a superb player with enormous potential but he needs to improve on his shot selection.

Bishoo started off with a booming international career picking up wickets frequently in Tests and one-day internationals. He recently won the I.C.C. Emerging Player of The Year 2011 at the L.G. I.C.C. Awards in London. Bishoo played five Test matches in the voting period and took two wickets with an average of 35.42. He also played in 11 O.D.I picking up 19 wickets at an average of 21.57.