It has been ten years since the core of the all-conquering West Indies cricket team made their graceful exit from the international stage. Such names as Vivian Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Jeff Dujon and others left without any "worthy" replacements. Since then, we have been hearing about "the rebuilding process" when Richie Richardson was appointed to succeed Sir Vivian as captain.

West Indians are passionate about many things, none moreso than cricket and calypso. For this reason we must not tinker with this most precious thing - the one thing Caribbean people agree on, and means so much to so many.

On the eve of the start of the tour of South Africa to the Caribbean, the West Indies selectors must therefore show that they are not only clear in their thinking, but with their eyes set on the healthy future of West Indies cricket.

Recently, there have been rumblings in the Caribbean about who the selectors should choose to captain the West Indies and restore our pride during the South African series - a team with whom we have a score to settle.

There is no doubt that the enigmatic Carl Hooper deserves a place in the West Indies team during the series, but to suggest (even at government levels) that he should be named as captain would be dangerous. Dangerous in that it might be setting a bad precedent for future errant cricketers, and may very well trigger ill feelings among players who had to endure the indignities of the sound defeats following his "retirement" in 1999.

As for the former captain (Jimmy Adams) - yes, I did say former - he does not merit a place in the West Indies team. It is unfortunate that he did not choose to do as his predecessor (Lara) did and take a break from the game for a few months. He would have had a much more graceful exit from the West Indies team, as opposed to suffering the humiliation of non-selection.

In other quarters of the Caribbean, there has been a call for the veteran fast bowler, Courtney Walsh to be included. Didn't we have a send off for "Cuddy" last year already? I'm sorry, but I have to admit that in as much as I am a fan of the great Jamaican, he does not merit a place in the current West Indies team. Sorry, Cuddy, this is simply not the time for sentimentality. The tour to Australia should have been your last hurrah as you strived to get your 500th wicket.

My XIII therefore for the First Test would read: C. Gayle, L. Garrick, W. Hinds, B. Lara, R. Sarwan, C. Hooper, *+R. Jacobs, M. Nagamootoo, N. McLean, K. Jeremy, R. Hinds, S. Williams, K. Darlington.

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