Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt says West Indies white ball captain Kieron Pollard and coach Phil Simmons have been under fire from some loud critics in the Caribbean who want them sacked. Giving the two his backing, however, Skerritt ruled out any immediate changes.
“Phil and Pollard have a few, but loud, critics who want them gone for non-cricket reasons,” the CWI president told Cricbuzz ahead of the West Indies team’s visit to India for a six-match white-ball series.
“I have no reason to believe there will be any change in coach and captain any time soon. But remember the captaincy is evaluated as is the coach. If the system says these guys are not the right people, we will deal with it. At the moment I don’t see anything coming at me that says these guys must go. Caribbean people like to take people down,” he told an India TV station.
The West Indies team arrives in India tomorrow to play three ODIs and as many Twenty20 Internationals starting on February 6.
A section of the media alleged a rift within the side forcing the CWI to issue a denial recently. “CWI is aware that voice notes were circulated on social media, and in sections of the regional broadcast media, suggesting that there is a rift within the West Indies Senior Men’s team. Contrary to the unsubstantiated statements, containing unfounded and mischievous allegations, CWI is satisfied that there is no discord between the Team Captain and any member of the West Indies team,” the release said.
Skerritt himself added: “I view this as a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies Captain, designed to sow division within our team that has just recorded three very impressive T20I performances against very strong opponents (England). This clear attempt by well-known mischief makers to discredit the captain should not be tolerated or encouraged.”
The leadership of the West Indies team has been under attack for some time, particularly since the poor showing in the Twenty20 World Cup in UAE, where the two-time defending champions failed to make the knockouts. The team lost an ODI series to Ireland recently 1-2 but won the five-match T20I series against formidable England 3-2.
Skerritt has ruled out seeking another term for the president’s post which he has been holding since 2019. “I believe strongly that there should be a limit to how long the president should serve. He should do his best and then move on, to allow others to bring fresh leadership energy and a revitalized vision,” he said. “It’s my decision and there is no institutional limit to the position.”
The CWI president is elected for two years and the next elections are due next year when Skerritt hopes the board will back his vice-president Kishore Shallow. (Cricbuzz)
