“The cricketing Nostradamus – When yuh correct, yuh right!”

Nov 27, 2011 Sports

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I do not ever get tangible credit, but I have made mostly correct calls about West Indies’ cricket evolution, in my writings over the years.  I even think that I could be called the ‘Cricketing Nostradamus’.  My only problem is that I have not, yet, predicted the correct winning lottery numbers!
Michel de Nostredame – Nostradamus – died aged 63, leaving us indelible thoughts of prognostications.  On Wikipedia, he is described as “an apothecary and reputed seer who published prophesies.”  As a born Guyanese, I do not know that much about obeah, but my cricketing predictions do come through!

From the noisy, idiotic reactions to my work, I get the impression that I represented Mars or Uranus, any other entity than West Indies.  Well, I did play, well too, most times, for West Indies!
While I continue to survive, perhaps with Almighty help, I will also continue to identify situations that will come to pass.  I always take an even, honest, objective look at our cricket.  I want West Indies to win, always, but objectivity will never be compromised by outright support or being a fawning lackey!
I am neither sheep nor sycophant.  I am also too tall, maybe too old too, bad sports knees and all, to get down, to perform falacio.  I will always be honest about our cricket, regardless of whom it may upset!
Just last week, in these lines, I proposed that more draws – no results in Tests – would help West Indies’ batting development.  The team responded well with the 3rd Test effort v India.  They must continue the trend next year, to win, or at least to draw, most games v Australia, England and New Zealand.
Another of my correct predictions, that Test cricket will survive, and flourish too, despite many thoughts to the contrary, really pleases me.  The last several Test contests; Australia v South Africa, Zimbabwe v New Zealand, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, West Indies v Bangladesh and India; easily confirm that survival!
I also recently predicted that West Indies’ batting line-up will emerge and surge sooner rather than later, with so many talented youths available.  The pleasure of witnessing the first six West Indies batsmen make at least a half century in 1st innings, Test No. 3, v India, was truly wonderful; almost priceless!
Adrian Barath is about 140 days away from his 22nd birthday.  He already has one Test century and three half centuries in eight Tests.  He could only become a better batsman, but he must also pay special attention to his fitness.  He also needs to be more prudent, to curb his natural appetite for aggression.
Kraigg Brathwaite becomes 19 on December 02 next.  He has much time ahead of him, and, to date, has already made two half centuries in five Tests.  Hopefully, he could emulate other ‘stonewall openers’; hard to get out; New Zealand’s Glen Turner, England’s Geoff Boycott or West Indies’ Desmond Haynes.
Kirk Edwards turned 27 last November 3rd.  He is very mature, having already played 31 1st Class games, but has played in only five Tests, contributing two centuries and two fifties.  Do not be too surprised if he gets very serious consideration for senior team captaincy.  Remember South Africa’s Graeme Smith?
Even Dr. Brian Lara is becoming a soothsayer, if not a full apothecary, confirming his prognosis that Darren Bravo will become a super-star of world cricket.  Some are even suggesting, quite prematurely, that Darren is already that.  Suffice to say that he has started well, certainly girding up his loins recently.
In 12 Tests Darren Bravo already has three centuries; last two, 136 and 166, brilliant consecutive inputs; and six half centuries.  Like “Prince of Port of Spain” himself, Darren Bravo could write his own greatness in international cricket.  Could he become the first “King of Trinidad & Tobago”?  Who Knows?  Maybe!
Kieran Powell, about 100 days short of his 22nd birthday, will probably come through, in time, given the right opportunities, perhaps to take the place, as he did in Test No. 3 v India, to eventually, permanently, replace Shiv Chanderpaul.  Playing only three Tests so far, with one half century, he is quite promising.
Marlon Samuels, doing his comeback with alacrity and aplomb, seems to be enjoying himself immensely.  I like his general overall cricket, full focus, and efficient efforts.  He also seems to be getting much batting confidence from his recently re-legalized bowling success, feeding from that.  Two centuries and twelve fifties show that talent that has always been there.  Now is his time to capitalize fully.
It should be noted that the only West Indies batsman who played Test No. 3 v India, with more than 12 Tests, was 30 year old Samuels; 36 Tests.  With Shiv Chanderpaul, who turned 37 last August, out injured, and his gargantuan 137 Tests not counted, it was left to mostly pups to do big dogs’ work.
Chanderpaul will now have to work extremely diligently to fend off competition.  No-one could fault his input, but like every sportsman everywhere, time takes no prisoners.  Just ask Australia’s Ricky Ponting!
With so many potential world-beating batsmen emerging, contemplation must exist as to the futures of recent, former established players, especially stalwarts Ramnaresh Sarwan; 87 Tests, 173 ODI’s, 18 T20I’s, and Chris Gayle; 91 Tests, 228 ODI’s, 20T-20I’s.  Here too, I was correct in my fore-thoughts.
I wrote much, previously, way back, when that stuff hit the fan two years ago, that it was unlikely that Gayle will ever play for West Indies again.  That is becoming much more of a certainty now.  His name and presence are even becoming distant memories!
32 year-old Gayle does have reams of experience, but will it help, in the long-run, to reinstate him in near future West Indies batting teams?  I like Gayle much, but I am also massively realistic.  Fortunately or unfortunately, all things, good and bad, must come to an end too!
Understand this!  Neither Gayle nor Sarwan is “too old” to play international cricket.  However, neither has been, regularly, in West Indies teams for some time now.  Yet, the team has managed without them.  Is it necessary, realistic, prudent, or, indeed, smart, to return them to the fold at all?  I do not think so!
There are possibilities, not guarantees, that Gayle might offer some stability in the batting line-up, regardless of who is team captain.  However, given the still caustic environment, plans for future, and potential present, there is no need to “bring him back.”
If he had been in the team, like Chanderpaul has, then that would be a different matter, but why return Gayle to the fold now?  Bare senselessness!
Sarwan has similar but different concerns.  Indeed, his injury circumstance could even be used as a very good warning for Barath to note.  Sarwan’s fitness has never returned fully since his injury at Leeds in England, 2009.  Hence, Sarwan too would be a tremendous liability to be continuing in the senior team.
Times and situations, cricket team personnel too, do and must change.  No player is invincible or irreplaceable.  Sir Gary Sobers and Sir Everton Weekes had to leave too.  It time for the future.  Enjoy!

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