Perry bats for Baugh in T20 squad
BY SANJAY MYERS
Observer staff reporter
ACCORDING to Jamaica’s chairman of selectors Nehemiah Perry Carlton Baugh Jr should be chosen as the West Indies specialist wicketkeeper/batsman for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Denesh Ramdin, who currently fills that position in the regional team, has recently seen a dip in form, causing many to call for him to be replaced for the tournament.
Both players have been chosen, along with Andre Fletcher, Devon Thomas and Chadwick Walton, in a provisional 30-man squad. Hosts West Indies will play the tournament opener on April 30 versus Ireland.
Perry told the Sunday Observer that Baugh deserves another chance to show his worth at international level.
“I think Baugh is the one who could be a surprise (selection) for the Twenty20 World Cup. He has been given chances before and didn’t grab them, but hopefully, they (West Indies selectors) will see it fit to give him another one. I think he has done enough to get another chance to show his batting and keeping skills,” said Perry.
“Baugh has done quite well and he’s been batting well for the last three or four years. He’s been very consistent for Jamaica and I don’t think he’s been given enough chances (at international level),” Perry added.
The dimunitive attacking Jamaican batsman averages 36.45 from 73 first-class matches, including 11 hundreds, while accounting for a total of 159 dismissals. He has played five Tests to date, with the last being in 2004, and has a batting average of 19.60 at that level.
Ramdin, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, has a significantly lower first-class average of 28.79, including seven centuries, to go with 231 dismissals from 78 matches. He has been the preferred keeper for the Caribbean team since 2005 and averages 23.26 from 39 Tests.
When asked to compare the two, Perry praised the abilities of both players, adding that Ramdin’s drop in form with the bat should push the West Indies selectors to make a change.
“They are both very good glovemen and Baugh has improved. He has worked very hard, especially with Jimmy Adams, the (Jamaica) technical director.
“Ramdin is technically a very good player, but everybody will lose form at some point. Baugh is a very good batsman and has the ability to produce at the highest level, but you can’t produce unless you get the opportunity of a good run and the exposure to perform,” he said.
Perry said players across the region should continue to work hard even when they are not representing the West Indies or their country to ensure they are ready if called upon.
“You have to prepare yourself and expect that your name may be called when a West Indies team is to be selected. Everybody has to recognise this and don’t wait until a competition to try to get fit,” he stated.
“Players should work on their specific weaknesses so selectors can see improvements, instead of a player remaining at one level. If players are dropped, at the end of the day they have to show the resilience to go back in the nets and work hard,” he added.
Squad — Lionel Baker, Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Jr, David Bernard Jr, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Royston Crandon, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Nikita Miller, Runako Morton, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge, Chadwick Walton.