PM disappointed Dominican not on Windies team

Theophile amassed over 600 runs in the just concluded Cricket Regional Tournament
Theophile amassed over 600 runs in the just concluded Regional Cricket Tournament

The decision by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to exclude Dominican right-handed opening batsman, Tyrone Theophile, from the West Indies team in the ongoing Test against Australia is not going down well with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

Theophile, 25, was not selected to play in the first match of the two-Test series which got underway in Dominica on Wednesday and the Prime Minister believes it is “unfortunate.”

“I thought the West Indies would have placed Tyrone Theophile, having scored the second highest amount of runs in the just concluded regional tournament at an average of over 44 runs,” he told reporters on Wednesday, arguing that instead someone else was selected in who “never scored a century, never scored two centuries.”

The Prime Minister said he is not in agreement with the Vice President of the WICB, Emanuel Nanthan, when he said Theophile’s time will come.

“I don’t agree with the Vice President of the (WICB)…it should have been now, today, he should be playing today,” he noted.

He questioned why the ‘goal post’ is being shifted when Theophile did well in the regional tournament.

Skerrit lamented that the young Dominican is being “bypassed” too many times.

“And while I don’t get involved in selection and so forth, that’s a matter for them, that’s why I can criticize them, because I am not part of the process,” he stated.

He, however, noted that he does not want to “impute any motive to the selectors” since the same perspective is not shared by everyone.

“There may be issues that they are considering that we are not privy to, so while standing out looking in we are free to criticize I don’t think we should talk about favoritism or bias and so on,” he stated, pointing out that at one point the West Indies team was 90 percent Antiguans.

“So you have this happening…. sometimes we just have to keep supporting West Indies cricket. It’s our team, not withstanding who is on the team and that’s our commitment,” the Prime Minister said.

Theophile played exceedingly well in the just concluded Regional Cricket Tournament, his most productive season to date, amassing 689 runs at an average of 43.06. He also struck two centuries and three half centuries. His performance was beaten only by Devon Smith, who totalled 822 runs at an average of 54.80.

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46 Comments

  1. June 7, 2015

    I did support Theophile’s call on the West Indies team but, based on his performance in the just concluded tour match against the aussies in Antigua, he did not merit a pick. Just 4 and 26. Yet, he should have been placed in high selection before Shai Hope. He is attacking and dominant but, I think his day will come very, very soon. Devon Smith is a great disappointment. He has been tried over and over, only to fail miserably each time. His day is definitely over this time.

  2. June 6, 2015

    So what did the selectors expect a team with three players samuels,ramdin and taylor with international experience and eight toddlers would recieve nothing but a spanking from the australian team.because a youngman score a double century or two centuries in the domestic tournament that makes him a test cricketer.he must be allowed to play with experience cricketers ,so he can learn the science of test cricketers.aside from their marriage or engagement rings,the management of west indies cricket should ban the wearing of all jewellery during the course of the cricket game.

  3. June 6, 2015

    some of the comments, that post negative are people that call The matt hotseat and grovy bat show

  4. maindesk
    June 5, 2015

    Skerrit takes the opportunity to try to distance himself from Nanton

  5. June 5, 2015

    The three most experience cricketers in the west indies,shane shillinford,kieron powell and chanderpaul are not in a west indies team to play against the most powerfull cricket team in the world.theophile should be on the team to gain the experience,just like they done for chandrika.

  6. David
    June 5, 2015

    I agree with you PM, however Clive Lloyd is only interested in picking Bajans, so the team will be 90% Bajan with a Bajan captain. The player we really missing is Chanderpaul who has the highest average in Dominica…

  7. Blessed
    June 5, 2015

    All you Dominicans need to grow up. The man made a valid statement about sports…. And you all responded about politics!!! Come on are we trying to show the world we are sooooo narrow minded. Grow up. Stoupppssssssssss Where the Hell passport etc. fitting with this article. I don’t believe labour supporters are that foolish… so I can only imagine who wrote those comments

  8. I am me
    June 4, 2015

    ,” he stated, pointing out that at one point the West Indies team was 90 percent Antiguans. But what is wrong with the PM nou? He not tired of saying what comes out of his head without any knowledge of the truth. Skerrit, what year you talking about that the west indies team ever had 90 percent Antiguans? You just saying what you think people would like to hear you say on any given subject but the truth is, you talking about things that NEVER happened

  9. Francisco Telemaque
    June 4, 2015

    At least you that Mountain Chicken brain, Skerrit could not dictate who made the team, you may have power over the puppets in Dominica who fear you and revere you as their supreme god and leader, however you could not dictate to the selectors of the WCB who should be selected to the team.

    Cry as you wish, and talk crap so that your red devil followers can feel good, but the reality is even if you could bribe the Dominica selector if there is one on the board, your voodoo, and Dominica obeah did not work this time. Your charm and bribery can only work on the puppets who bow to you!

    Boy, you are only powerful in Dominica eh!

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

    Have you ever heard of a place in central America called Belize, formally know as British Honduras, while a colony of Britain? Well, I hear when a certain man said he was the Prime Minister of a certain island in the Caribbean, he was treated as dirt, subject to the rules of Belize! I doh calling de pm name…

    • Francisco Telemaque
      June 5, 2015

      “And while I don’t get involved in selection and so forth, that’s a matter for them, that’s why I can criticize them, because I am not part of the process,” he stated.”(Skerrit).

      You have no say Skerrit, you yearn for your name to be mentioned: Everyman is limited to a certain point, you have no jurisdiction over WIC, so you criticizing them is like a single drop of water falling in the Atlantic ocean!

      Be contented and happy they play in Dominica so often, at least wherever people are listening to the broadcast, in the cricketing world the name Dominica, and may ask where is that! You are getting some free advertisement, which could the tourist industry if you had an International Airport.

      Don’t talk to fast as the Antiguan’s did, when they claim they would own WI Cricket, when they had about seven players on the team.

  10. Passport Holder Big Broad & Bold
    June 4, 2015

    It is bigger than think. Yet there is no investigation. Beat your chest and beat Nanton’s chest.

    http://news.yahoo.com/us-officials-massive-breach-federal-personnel-data-210302099–politics.html

  11. CIP top job
    June 4, 2015

    Has Skerritt any moral authority to even question the selectors decision. at least more than one selector came together to select. But on many occasions important decisions of National importance are taken unilaterally, by one man.

    Remember, those diplomatic passports given to whoever? Some in the hands of those with questionable, criminal behaviour?

    What about the hand-picking of Nanton for the top post of the CIP? Was he qualified? Did he meet the criteria? What are his qualifications for the job? So how comes he was picked for the job, when he is not qualified?

    Skerritt, whose fools are we? The issue of the $1.5 million being deposited in a local bank, by a public servant is hot and damning for the Skerriit DLP cabal. People are calling on the Police, FIU to do their job , investigate, get to the bottom of such shameful act.

    And so, Skerritt’s attempt to divert from that Public outcry to investigate and bring to justice anyone involved. Looking for…

    • LawieBawie
      June 6, 2015

      Man what nonsense are you talking?? All cricket lovers question the selectors decision with regards to various apparent blunders that they make and that includes you. So why can’t Skerrit do it. I certainly do it. I don’t always agree with many things which he does but we have to stop mixing politics with other issues in this forum. It is getting unbearable. Give him his blows when it is political, economic and other such articles but when it comes down to simple things this lets forget politics for a bit.

  12. June 4, 2015

    These W.I sectors trying to discourage him to be a star, If he was from Barbados, Trinidad , Jamaica, or Guyana Clive Loyd and others would have picked him.

  13. sakway-buwo
    June 4, 2015

    I’m disappointed with the windies team… Period!

  14. Concern D/can
    June 4, 2015

    In justice and double standard ain’t nice. well it’s probably time you start being just in what you do. I hate to say it, but Karma is a ……

    It’s actually nice to see the pm standing up for D/ca and ……. about injustice, continue the good work you will feel better about yourself, ……

  15. too late
    June 4, 2015

    in the similar manner mr pm why wasn’t a qualified person with a masters degree chosen to head the citizenship by investment program as advertised?

  16. I am who I am
    June 4, 2015

    I agree with you Mr. PM but maybe you should have told that to your very good friend, Emmanuel Nanthan, who is Vice President of West Indies Cricket Board. Maybe you have Mano too busy traveling the middle east pushing for sale of passports that he has no time to get close to selectors to push for our boys. Why did you make him director of citizenship by investment program? I suspect soon you will make him president of Dominica.

  17. Shameless
    June 4, 2015

    “Above all, try always to be able to feel deeply any injustice committed against any person in any part of the world. It is the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary.”
    ―Che Guevara

    A great injustice has been done to this young man. We are all revolutionaries for this cause regardless of color or party affiliation and so I applaud Roosevelt Skerrit for cominig out strong in support because he too is a revolutionary in this case.

    Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

  18. AG
    June 4, 2015

    Stop selling my passports

    • sakway-buwo
      June 4, 2015

      Yah that he have to do. Stop selling man passport. he there talking about cricket

    • June 6, 2015

      You stop talk foolishness on DNO.

  19. Lang Mama
    June 4, 2015

    While I don’t get involved in cricket I also believe that too much money laundering and passport peddlers is all part of the cancer of corruption. Corruption bred and condoned somewhere will infect institutions everywhere.
    But check this out Roosevelt Skerrit is basically crying foul for and on behalf of Theophyl that is fine but why it is that when he is refreshing no free kick is given to those who were duly qualified for the job that was given to Emmanuel Nanthan over other qualified applicants. A job requiring a master’s degree and Emmanuel Nanthan doesn’t even have a servant nor slave degree let alone a masters.
    Who wants to think that I am inserting politics into the cricket matter you are wrong cause what I am saying here is “The Truth” and according to tight pants am amb -ass ador politics is not about truth so how am I speaking politics. I just hate hypocrisy and con artists

    • forreal
      June 4, 2015

      so we can say the same for lennox linton then?remember is you that make your statement,i just translating

  20. Yummy
    June 4, 2015

    TOTALLY unrelated to this post. He is SO Cute! Don’t Mind me Y’all I’m just trolling…….. Lol :-P

  21. ghetto girl.
    June 4, 2015

    Wat is to be must be. Dominicans don’t like to c there ppl rise. Better days are comin.

  22. June 4, 2015

    You not no Barbadian i believe that you are a UWP but if you are bajan look in your own back yard stop making white peolpe rule your yard about Labour party jack A…

  23. 100% Dominican
    June 4, 2015

    Hearts off to PM, also Shane Shillingford was left out, which makes Aussie captain happy, with Natan on the board makes no difference for Dominica, our players are still being treated as the lesser evel. #disappointed

  24. Sylvester Cadette
    June 4, 2015

    I also think logically, Shillinford should have partnered with Bishoo. See how Bishoo ripped through the Aussie line-up with, so far, 6/73 (at time of writing). In an article I sent to DNO I stated that:

    “Shane bowling in tandem with Bishoo on the Windsor Park wicket could spell mayhem, destruction and collapse for the Aussies. Recall that Bishoo in March took 10 for 112 in the same encounter that Shane took 5 for 118. I am convinced if they do recall Shane, the results in the two Tests at Windsor Park Stadium and Sabina would be supremely divine.

    See the article https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/sports/commentary-a-case-for-shane-shillingford-in-his-own-figures/

  25. UserName
    June 4, 2015

    When it good say it good. Well said Mr. PM something is seriously wrong with the WICB selectors, and that attitude of small islanders apparently still lingers on.

  26. Dominic
    June 4, 2015

    skerrit give d selectors police mano for u to go and give police

  27. mandate 2 mismanage
    June 4, 2015

    THAT is what he is disaapointed about? Things must be well bright in Dominica…for some!

  28. Toute Twelel
    June 4, 2015

    PM all sports persons support you on this one. First criteria for selection on any sports team is performance. Clive Lloyd and his selectors cannot justify Theophille’s non selection to sports loving people. What if he does not perform as well next time??? Mr. Cameron’s point is not acceptable.

  29. Sylvester Cadette
    June 4, 2015

    I would agree with the PM that Theophile may have deserved a call up based on his performance in the recent Regional Championship. Look at his figures below in his last 11 innings:

    4, 26 WICB Pres XI v Australians North Sound 27 May 2015 FC
    58, 47 Windward Is v Guyana Roseau 20 Mar 2015 FC
    125, 0 Windward Is v Barbados Bridgetown 13 Mar 2015 FC
    39, 4 Windward Is v Trinidad & T Couva 6 Mar 2015 FC
    34 Windward Is v Leeward Is Gros Islet 20 Feb 2015 FC
    55 Windward Is v Jamaica Kingstown 13 Feb 2015 FC
    136 Windward Is v Trinidad & T Gros Islet 6 Feb 2015 FC

    Compare to Chadrika’s last 11 innings:

    74, 0 WICB Pres XI v Australians North Sound 27 May 2015 FC
    35 Guyana v Windward Is Roseau 20 Mar 2015 FC
    51, 31 Guyana v Trinidad & T Providence 13 Mar 2015 FC
    69, 15 Guyana v Jamaica Providence 6 Mar 2015 FC
    5, 60 Guyana v Barbados Bridgetown 20 Feb 2015 FC…

    • UserName
      June 4, 2015

      You only noted 9 innings for Chadrika… but we get the point .. in 11 innings Theophille averaged 48 runs and in 9 innings Chadrika averaged 38 runs. The 2 innings you did not quote could ……..

  30. alas
    June 4, 2015

    In all honesty this discussion has been going on for a few days even before the team came down here to play. Locally cricket officials, sports commentators, and cricket enthusiasts have been very vocal on the issue. I am sure you are aware of all prior discussion.
    Fortunately you don’t appear to have influence over Emmanuel Nathan and de WICB .
    Nanthan didn’t think of his Dominican brethren. Dominica was not first on his mind.
    Are you PM saying that you disappointed Nanthan didn’t put Dominica first?
    While you and i are free to criticize we should not speak about favoritism and bias you say.
    But at the same time you can openly talk of favoring Theophile.
    Am i free to have a favorite?
    Is that considered as being bias?

  31. BACK TO BOUZAY
    June 4, 2015

    to survive in dca you must learn to laugh, so much noise bout an opening batsman.
    first class career runs 1710,
    194 fours thats 768
    23 sixes thats 138 runs

    so 804 working the field, thats madness, let the guy develope, look at voges 161 games, 25 centuries 58 50s before his 1st test

  32. Cyrique
    June 4, 2015

    I’m really pleased that the PM made this statement – and with such dignity. I’m particularly impressed with his assertion that we are not privy to certain issues which are considered by the Selectors. He hasn’t waded in like Nanton who was campaigning for Chanderpaul (an honorary Dominican, whilst born Dominicans were left on the side. Nanton needs to get his priorities right!

  33. As it is
    June 4, 2015

    The decision by the D/can populace to elect Medard as P.M of DA after a few individual made P.M at midnight of the day Pierro died is not going down well with Me a citizen of the Comm of Dominica.OK that’s my position.One might argue as I made my point Medard has a right too. okay
    I participated in DA’s election and was not successful Okay with that.
    Now I played soccer at Nation level Basket-ball, cricket, track & field even card games Laguwab.
    But Skerrit never played marbel 4 toks. Who is he to be disappointed in non -selection of any bady

    • just saying G
      June 4, 2015

      why all the negativity? he merely gave an opinion. the man did not hold a press conference to state his opinion. i’m sure what happened was that a reporter asked him his opinion and he stated it as he felt. we all have opinions why cant he? geeeeeeze!!!! why do you people have to continually get blue vex for every little thing?

      • Concern D/can
        June 4, 2015

        But I don’t see with you G, the man has an opinion just like the pm has. So why can the pm voice his opinion and the man can’t. The double standard you people continuously deploying. PM you got to stop the double standard, cause don’t like the …. you doing boy

  34. grell
    June 4, 2015

    Skerrit its too late now to critisize,Antigua has nothing to offer to the world and you have not capitalize on that,We have an abundant of water in Dominica yet water from Trinidad is being sold in our stadium,hell with the sponsor,your all over the world selling our passsports for your money.West Indies cricket will go nowhere as long as these foolish selectors continue to be on the board.nO INTEREST IN THE SPORT ANYMORE.

  35. yes
    June 4, 2015

    send the red brigade and the Chinese after the selectors them to find out why they did not select him
    this is just too funny

    • As it is
      June 4, 2015

      like it like it I really ,really like it. The red brigade & the Chinese may not but who cares?

    • Truth Hurts
      June 4, 2015

      Dam idiot! For some of you biased political fools you just relish every opportunity to criticize the PM. Go back to the stinky hole you crawled out of dude and leave the PM alone!

  36. Barbadian
    June 4, 2015

    Let Skerrit put him on the Dominica Labour Party Cricket Team!!! He need approval from anyone else!!!

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