Ottis Gibson backs ‘strong decisions’ of West Indies selectors
Ottis Gibson, the West Indies coach, has said that axing Ramnaresh Sarwan from the Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour was a tough decision but the selectors did that in the best interest of side.
Indifferent form and fitness issues kept the nimble right-hander out of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 side during 2010 season. Despite his average form, the West Indies coach feels Sarwan still has a lot to offer international cricket. Gibson said that Sarwan has been
left behind to give him ample time to get completely fit.
"The decision was taken to give him more time to get fit. I still think he's got a lot more contributions to make to West Indies cricket and that gives him the opportunity to do the things he knows he needs to do to not just get fit,
but stay fit to make those contributions", Gibson said.
The West Indies selectors picked-up a new-look squad for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 tour stripping Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo from their captain and vice captain roles respectively. Following their refusals to sign central contracts with West
Indies Cricket Board.
Darren Sammy replaced Gayle for captaincy position while Brendan Nash would deputy Sammy during the upcoming Sri Lanka trip.
An uncapped pair of wicketkeeper, Devon Thomas, and pacer, Andre http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Russell-c87177, has also been picked up. Thomas’s remarkable performance with the Sagicor High Performance Center (HPC) in Barbados earned him the selector’s nod and would replace
Danesh Ramdin behind the stumps. The coach, who was hopeful that the fresh faces would benefit from the opportunity during the conceivably tough tour of Sri Lanka, duly backed the decisions.
"The selectors have picked a team in trying to chart the way forward for the West Indies in the coming years", Gibson said. "We are in the decision-making business and West Indies cricket, from where it sits currently, needs strong
decisions and those are the decisions the selectors have taken. It's an exciting time for Darren and Brendan but also for some of the young guys who have been picked".
Gibson was excited about uncapped fast bowler Andre Russell’s inclusion into the squad:
“...a big, tall fellow and he has got some pace. We took the decision to take him along and it will give me an opportunity to work with him and introduce him into the international arena that way".
The coach also reposed confidence in the inexperienced leadership duo that will lead the side. The newly appointed skipper has so far played only 8 Test matches while his deputy has 15 Test appearances to his name.
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