The inclusion of older players in the West Indies senior men’s squad should not be viewed as depriving the younger ones of an opportunity to be selected, says former Barbados and England cricketer Roland Butcher.
Butcher said selection should not be based on age but on ability and performances as he spoke about older players expressing an interest in playing for the West Indies.
“There is no age group that has a monopoly on selection. Selection is usually based on the performances. Because you are young doesn’t mean you have to be selected and play. You still have to be good enough. Age doesn’t just get you into the side. Ability and performance get you into the team.
“The fact that guys are older, more experienced, if they are fit enough and still performing, is it a case of keeping a young fella out? No! I say it is always the other way around that the young guys have to push the old guys out. And they can only do that by performing,” he told Barbados TODAY.
Butcher added: “It shows that once the youngsters are performing then there is no need for the older guys. But until that happens, I don’t think anybody is taking away anybody’s place.”
The most recent senior player to express an interest in representing West Indies in the shorter format is fast bowler Fidel Edwards. Veteran opener Chris Gayle has yet to retire from international cricket at the age of 41 and is still eligible to play for the West Indies.
The fact that Edwards and Gayle are keen on representing the West Indies, there is a possibility that both men will be looked at for the upcoming seventh edition of the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup to be played in India later this year.
Butcher believes Edwards is capable of playing both 50 overs and T20. However, he is of the view that Gayle can only play one format which is T20.
“I don’t think Gayle physically will be up for the fifty over or Test match cricket. The twenty-twenty is more up his line. I am not sure how his injury situation is right now, how he moves in the field. But obviously to be an effective player for the team you got to give a little bit more than just the ability to bat.
“Gayle probably at this stage would have less chance of making it back than let’s say someone like Fidel who is still physically fit, doesn’t have any lasting injuries. Obviously, Gayle can still play T20 in various franchises. In terms of getting back into the West Indies team, again he would have to do what is necessary to do that I would imagine,” Butcher said.
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