By Spencer Darington
Jamaica’s team contesting the 2014 WICB regional four-day (cricket) competition has suffered three consecutive losses and this has not gone un-noticed among local experts and other stakeholders.
In fact, since the crushing 145 run loss to Trinidad & Tobago on the weekend, alarm bells have been sounded, backed up by calls from some quarters for changes among the present crop of players.
Former Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler Darren Powell is on record as saying the present group of players are not hungry and determined enough and that players should be chosen on merit and not their history.
But if it is that the players are not hungry and determined enough, what is it that could be responsible for this?
Coach Junior Bennett has said the team is young and should be given some time to gel. When one looks at the list of players used so far this season it reflects a good blend of youth and experience. There’s Tamar Lambert, the captain, a man who led Jamaica to five consecutive regional four day titles; then there are David Bernard Jr., Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh Jr., Jerome Taylor and Nkrumah Bonner, all experienced players, some of them very seasoned at the regional level.
The likes of John Campbell, Damion Jacobs, Horace Miller, Jamie Merchant, John Ross Campbell, Brian Buchanan and Jermaine Blackwood are all talented young players but will need to exhibit a level of consistency when they are given a chance.
Another point which must be made clear is that, even during the time that Jamaica won the five consecutive titles, the batting was not overly brilliant. It was the bowling department which came good on numerous occasions to tilt the balance in Jamaica’s favour.
It therefore means that, if the batting fails to live up to expectations, as it has been doing so since the start of the season, and if the bowling doesn’t answer the call, Jamaica’s struggles may continue for a little while longer.
Whatever, the problems are, whether internal, external or personal, the Wavel Hinds led selection panel will surely have to step in to address the issues that need to be addressed.
This will have to be done sooner rather than later. Failure to do so could see Jamaica sliding even further from its current fifth place among the seven teams.