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India`s tour of West Indies: Perplexed Caribbean legends question Denesh Ramdin `axing`
West Indies are yet to announced their squad for the four-match Test series.
New Delhi: West Indies legends have expressed their disappointment at the news that Denesh Ramdin will not be considered for the upcoming Test series against India.
Former wicket-keeper Jeff Dujon told Cricbuzz that “While I can vaguely understand the explanations by selectors regarding his average, especially when comparing it to other keepers around the world, but in the current context of the West Indies team, his exclusion, at this time, doesn't make sense."
West Indies are yet to announced their squad for the four-match Test series, but 31-year-old Ramdin early this week took to Twitter to share what the new West Indies Cricket Board chairman Courtney Browne thought about his batting average.
Ramdin, however, mentioned about his last two innings, wherein he scored 59 and 62 against Australia.
"If this is true, I'm very disappointed and confused. (It) brings into the question what really is the selection policy and their understanding of the importance and role of a wicket-keeper," said another legendary wicket-keeper Deryck Murray.
"Call me old fashioned, but I maintain the belief long after my playing days that you always pick your best keeper first - even more so in Test cricket. All other factors regarding batting ability or otherwise is secondary," he added.
Ramdin has played 74 Tests scoring 2898 runs at an average of 25.87. He captained West Indies in 13 Tests before Jason Holder replaced him in September 2015.
"I've been a little bit at sea at what the selectors are doing for a fair while now. The teams are so unbalanced, which is forcing Ramdin to bat out of position. So if the issue is not with his wicket-keeping, the selectors need to focus more on the top-order batsmen who aren't scoring runs consistently," Jackie Hendricks, another former wicket-kepper said.
First test of the series starts on July 21 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.