Fletcher disappointed with Windward Islands exclusion

Jan 15, 2009 Sports

Hopes to be back in action soon

Andre Fletcher

By Sean Devers in Grenada
Twenty-one-year-old West Indies batsman Andre Fletcher is disappointed with his exclusion from both the Windward Islands one-day and four-day cricket teams and is keen to be back in action at the regional and International levels soon.
The omission of the former West Indies under-19 right-hander followed his non-participation in the Windward Islands cricket tournament in Dominica.
Head of selectors and former Windwards batsman Julian Charles explained that players are mandated to play in the Windward Islands tournament to be eligible for selection and added that cases of injury, illness, death in the family or other emergencies are taken into consideration if a player fails to play for their Island in the Windward Islands tournament.
Fletcher played four ODIs and a 20/20 International against Australia last year in the Caribbean before playing in the US$20 million match for the Stanford Superstars against England in Antigua last November and with a an unbeaten 103 against Jamaica in last’s Carib Beer series was considered an automatic pick for the Windwards team.
Fletcher, who averages 26.03 with a century and two fifties from 13 games since making his First-Class debut in 2004 as a teenager, has also played 13 regional one-day games.
Fletcher was playing in England and then went to Jamaica to participate in their professional league just before the start of the Windward Islands tournament.
With the Windward Islands tournament fast approaching, the youth who hails from La Tante in Grenada, asked the Grenada Cricket Association to fly him from Jamaica but a delay in the decision on who would pay for the air ticket being made and the Hurricane that affected flights out of Jamaica stalled the young batsmen’s return.
With no chance of getting to Dominica before the start of the competition, Fletcher opted to miss Grenada’s final match and head to Antigua for the six-week Stanford Superstars 20/20 camp.
The talented player, who bowls medium pacer and kept wicket for Grenada in the Stanford 20/20 regional tournament, was put on stand-by for the regional one-day series in Guyana last November and many felt the selectors were justified in their actions to teach the youth a lesson that he was not bigger than the game and the importance of playing for Grenada.
However, when he was again placed on the stand-by list for the four-day first-class series at a time when the regional selectors had their eye on him, many felt the Windwards selectors were being too harsh on the young man.
It was even argued that if Fletcher was being disciplined then having him in the stand-by list with the possibility of him playing the first match in the event of a player in the squad being injured made the process of his punishment a farce.
Fletcher is Grenada’s newest Millionaire but he desperately wants to play the game he loves at the regional and International levels and he presently is in Grenada working hard on his fitness and batting and keeping his fingers crossed that he will be back in the Windwards side soon.
“Yeah not being able to play for the Windward Islands is very disappointing especially with England coming to the Caribbean next month. I am training everyday and doing a lot of batting in the nets so that when my chance comes I will able to respond with big scores,” the lad explained.
“I am a lot more focused and confident as a batsman now and playing at the International level last year against Australia has improved the mental side of my cricket,” he added.
Fletcher was on hand to see the Windwards beat Guyana by an innings and 147 runs last Sunday and is pleased that the Islanders made a 400 plus total to set up a win in their first match of the season.
“Our batting is generally our problem and it was good to see the lower order guys also contributing. Everyone bowled well and if we can continue to be consistent we have a great chance of winning our first First-Class title this year,” Fletcher added.
The attacking batsman is still hoping to play a meaningful role in helping the Windwards to a historic title this season and to get back into the West Indies team.

Latest News