St John’s, Antigua – Following the injury to Dwayne Bravo Chairman of the West Indies Selection Committee Clyde Butts held discussion with Marlon Samuels about possible nomination to replace Bravo.
After discussions Butts and Samuels agreed that he would be better served continuing to play in the WICB Regional 4 Day Tournament as he continues his return following a two year absence from the game.
Butts and Samuels agreed that he also needed to work on getting fitter for a possible return to international cricket in the future.
“Marlon has shown good form with the bat but he agrees with the Selection Committee that to return to international cricket at this stage, particularly in the high pressure situation of the Cricket World Cup would be too rushed,” Butts said.
Samuels said: “I thanked Mr. Butts for the consideration of the selectors and am honoured that they would have me in mind after such a short time returning to cricket.”
“I am not yet ready to return to the international arena. I am now getting back into competitive cricket and while I am scoring runs at the moment, the regional level and the international level are very different,” Samuels said.
“The selectors and I agree that I need to concentrate on playing at the First Class level and focus on getting all aspects of my game back to a suitable standard and recover my appetite for scoring runs,” Samuels said.
Butts indicated that the Selection Committee was pleased with Samuels’ mature self-appraisal.
“We had a healthy and positive discussion with Marlon about where he is and how he should proceed and we are exactly on the same page,” Butts said.
I believe that there was an ulterior motive. During the two year ban Samuel stayed fit and worked on his game consistently that’s why he was able to come back and dominate in both of the WICB series so far. For him to come now and talk about fittness and not being ready, when all those who saw him play have been totally impressed and called for him to be picked immediately, just doesn’t add up.
So many times youngsters come into the game play one or two regional matches and are immediately picked to the senior side, why now a player who played so well on the international level can’t come back after what seemed to be a productive/ hard working ban and go back to his rightful place?
I respect mr samuels decision but believe smthing else is up
samuels has always looked the part and i think that this a mature position that he has taken.No selfishness on his part.Well done my boy.I hope that the day will come when our own Shane will get his chance to be back in West Indies colors.keep the faith my boy,hard work pays.
sam all the way
MAN AM LONGING TO C THAT YOUNGSTAR BACK IN THE GAME . PATIENCE MY BROTHER IT WILL HAPPEN,
well done samuel, get some form still u are on the right track
i expect Samuel to be back soon. keep working hard