GEORGETOWN – The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) slammed the selection of the Twenty20 World Cup squad as a “fiasco” and called on Cricket West Indies (CWI) to fire the Roger Harper-led panel unless they can justify the rationale behind the squad for the global showpiece.
In a strongly worded statement, the GCB contended the selection process “appeared riddled with inconsistencies, clearly subjective and discriminatory”, and it has led to the “noticeable omission” of Guyanese fast-bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd, batsmen Sherfane Rutherford and Chandrapaul Hemraj and left-arm spinners Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul.
“The executive and members of the GCB wish to once again express our extreme concern with the continuous omission of Guyanese players from representative teams of CWI, as well as from the players’ retainer contracts of CWI,” the GCB statement said.
“Because of the noticeable omission of our players – Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul and Chandrapaul Hemraj – we reiterate our call for an explanation of the reasons for these omissions together with the selection policy information used.
“The impression is created that there is no selection criteria document, or it is a closely-guarded secret that cannot stand up to scrutiny.”
The GCB said it had written to CWI last May seeking clarity and expressing concerns about the selection process, especially with respect to the continued exclusion of Guyanese players.
The GCB said, however, it had been rebuffed by CWI with the regional governing body arguing there was “no requirement or obligation for CWI to explain the decision(s) of their selection policy”.
(CMC)
