BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Questions are mounting over Cricket West Indies’ latest World Cup selections, with former international players Tony Gray and Philo Wallace openly challenging whether the region’s best talent has been chosen for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Cricket West Indies on Monday unveiled its 15-man squad for the tournament, which runs from February 7 to March 8 across Sri Lanka and India. While the announcement sparked immediate debate, the inclusions of veteran Johnson Charles and rising prospect Quentin Sampson, and the omission of all-rounder Shamar Springer, have drawn the sharpest criticism.
Gray raises fitness and form concerns
Speaking recently on the Mason and Guest radio program, Gray, a former West Indies fast bowler who represented the region in 25 One-Day Internationals and five Tests between 1985 and 1991, expressed surprise at the direction of the selection panel.
“When you talk about Johnson Charles, obviously I think that he is past his best. Two years ago, with the World Cup being held in the Caribbean, he was eventually dropped. I don’t think that he is totally fit, and I would have picked Amir Jangoo,” Gray said.
He also questioned the logic behind recalling Charles when alternative options were available.
“Remember, I said that if Evin Lewis was not fit then, I would take another wicketkeeper. I don’t think that Johnson Charles deserves to be there,” he added.
Sampson’s rapid rise draws scrutiny
Gray also turned his attention to Sampson, whose limited exposure at the international level has fueled debate about his readiness for a global tournament.
“And, obviously, when you look at the young man Sampson, he has to be something very special, an elite talent, maybe a generational talent, to be that impressive enough to be picked for the World Cup after not playing a lot of international cricket,” Gray said.
Wallace questions impact and omissions
Wallace, a former explosive opening batsman for the West Indies, echoed Gray’s concerns, admitting he was taken aback by Charles’ selection and puzzled by Springer’s absence.
“The selected players have come under question, notably Johnson Charles. He doesn’t really have a big impact at the T20 level and has been around for a very long time, but not impactful,” Wallace said.
Wallace also offered a candid assessment of Sampson, based on his own observations.
“I don’t know much about Sampson. I saw him in Abu Dhabi, and I was not really impressed with him,” he stated.
Springer’s exclusion and wider doubts
The omission of Springer, in particular, troubled Wallace, who credited the all-rounder with raising standards during recent appearances.
“Actually, when I look at Shamar Springer, who we saw in Abu Dhabi and who really raised the level of West Indies T20 cricket I would say, and you would think that someone like him can slot into a West Indies World Cup squad,” Wallace said.
He concluded by broadening his critique to include another established name.
“I’m not big on Shimron Hetmyer either, I think he has let us down tremendously,” Wallace added.
