‘Some players have ruled themselves out’ – Roland Butcher

.. believes some criticism for WI selection panel unwarranted
FORMER Barbadian-born Test batsman, Roland Butcher, does not believe the
Cricket West Indies (CWI) panel of selectors deserves all the vitriol that it has
received following its announcement of the West Indies T20 squad for the World
Cup.
The decisions to include Chris Gayle, omit Jason Holder from the final 15, and
the inclusion of veteran fast bowler Ravi Rampaul have been among those that
have drawn criticism. Others have called for the inclusion of players that put in
strong performances in the recently concluded CPL, which includes the likes of
Sherfane Rutherford and Odean Smith.
Butcher, who has himself sat on a selection panel for Barbados, has insisted
some of the picks were understandable and insists that in fact, some players left
themselves out of contention and does not see why the panel should bear that
burden.
“In terms of the selection, Jason holder really should have been selected,
because he may not have done well of late but he is a proven player if we use
him correctly. I think Jason is someone you use to bowl four overs there and
then, let him bat later on the game, and he is also a good fielder,” Butcher told
the Mason and Guest radio programme..
“In terms of the guys who didn’t make it, everyone is shouting and screaming that
Rutherford should have made it. People forget that Rutherford has played for the
West Indies for some time and he has a poor average in actual fact,” he added
“…Roger Harper didn’t say it, but if you notice Rutherford for the last few years
has not played for Guyana, except for the white ball competition, that is because
he has refused to take a fitness test and that is obviously why he was not
selected because he was dropped before, and the case is obviously still the
same.
Why are selectors being crucified for leaving him out, by his actions he has made
himself unavailable for selection.”

Butcher also did not agree with the criticism of the bowling selection as he is
confident that both Rampaul and Chase can contribute meaningfully to the team.
“Roston Chase upset the applecart because no one was looking for him to
perform the way he did, by doing that he forced his way into the side. In terms of
Oshane Thomas and Rampaul, Fidel Edwards really caused them to have a
problem because he was picked for the 15 matches but unfortunately got injured
and was able to show his best,” he said.
“In Rampaul’s case he is proven at the international level and I can see why they
have gone for him in the current crop of fast bowlers and Thomas, we’ve seen
his inconsistency, but Smith is one for the future.”
(Sportsmax)