Dwayne Bravo: I’m not surprised by my brother’s non-selection, with the recent changes in WI cricket management

After his brother Darren Bravo was left out of the West Indies ODI squad against England, Dwayne Bravo lashed out at the selectors, saying that “the system failed again” while Darren led Trinidad & Tobago to the title in the just-ended Super50 Cup 2023, scoring the most runs overall.

After his brother Darren Bravo was left out of the West Indies ODI squad against England, Dwayne Bravo lashed out at the selectors, saying that “the system failed again.”

“When will the BS [sic] stop?! I’m not surprised by my brother’s non-selection, but with the recent changes in WI cricket management, I held onto a bit of hope for the better,”

Dwayne posted on Instagram. 

“This is NOT acceptable, and I just can’t make sense of it! So here are my burning questions: What are the criteria for West Indies team selection? Surely, it can’t be solely based on performance?”

Darren led Trinidad & Tobago to the title in the just-ended Super50 Cup 2023, scoring the most runs overall. He scored 416 runs at an average of 83.20 and a strike rate of 92.03, batting at No. 3. He was one of just two players with more than 400 runs in the tournament. 

Bravo finished last season’s 50-over competition as one of Trinidad & Tobago’s top run scorers with 240 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 76.92.

West Indies lead selector Desmond Haynes revealed after the squad was announced on Monday that Darren, 34, had been left out to give younger players more chances with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.

“It was a very tough decision for us to make as a panel,”

Haynes said of Darren’s omission.

“Darren has proven, not only this year but last year as well in the Super50 tournament, to be somebody who has performed well at this level. But we have invested in players like Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty.

“We also had to take into consideration that the World Cup 2027 is something that we have got in mind. We believe that we have invested in these players, and we need to allow them to play against a very strong England side. That is the reason why Darren has been omitted.”

Dwayne accused the selection panel of “mistreatment” and “disrespect” towards players.

“I usually stay away from these discussions, but the mistreatment, disrespect, and dishonesty towards players over the years demand a voice. When will it stop?”

he wrote.

“To Mr. Desmond Haynes, your statement didn’t surprise me. It feels like another former player singing for his supper. I hoped for trust in the system with figures like you, Sammy, and the new director of cricket, but the system failed again. To my brother, this too shall pass. Keep your head up, stay focused, and trust in the Almighty.”

Although Darren was left out, Kjorn Ottley, 33, was selected as the backup opener for the first time since 2021 when Justin Greaves was ruled out due to injury. Before being excluded, Ottley scored 25 runs in two matches in his January 2021 ODI debut in Bangladesh. 

In the Super50 Cup, however, he opened the batting and scored 317 runs, putting in a solid performance. This season, Ottley’s run total was surpassed only by Greaves and Darren.

“You got to look at the roles that you want the player to play,”

Haynes said.

“Kjorn Ottley was included in the team as we had an injury to Justin Greaves. We thought we wanted somebody to bat up front and that’s the reason why Ottley got picked.

“It is also important to have people playing in our domestic season and doing well. We keep saying all the time; that our pool is not that big. I also mentioned investing in young players like Athanaze, and Keacy Carty. If we do the knee-jerk reaction where we just decided to invest in guys one year and then get rid of them next year, I am not too sure if that’s good for the development.”

Leg spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. was not included in the West Indies team and was not picked for the T20 World Cup in Australia, after unimpressive performances in the ODIs against India at home and Pakistan away, as well as the T20Is against New Zealand at home, last year. 

He moved from the Barbados Royals to the Jamaica Tallawahs ahead of the 2023 CPL; however, he only participated in two games.

Haynes stated he had encouraged him to review his bowling video after being dropped last year so he could address his weaknesses.

“Last season I was the first to go to Hayden when he lost his confidence and I suggested ‘get a camera to look at you, where you are bowling’,”

Haynes said.

“I thought at the time he was not bowling well and needed some assistance from the outside just to have a look at him.

“This year I can tell you that I am very impressed with the way the ball was coming out of Hayden in this competition. We even suggested to the West Indies Cricket Board to have Hayden in the 16 and he is going to be in Antigua for the camp.”

In the Super50 Cup, Walsh got back to his best both at bat and with the ball, taking 20 wickets, tied for the highest in the competition with Sunil Narine, and scoring 222 runs at a strike rate of 100.45 with two fifties. 

He onto the pitch with the Leeward Islands at 157 for 6 against West Indies Academy, and he scored an unbeaten 60 off 55 to take them to 239. Then, he claimed five wickets to contribute to his team’s 66-run victory.

“We were very impressed with Hayden,”

Haynes said.

“He used to be a two-dimensional player. He batted very well for Leeward Islands, came in at some crucial times, and gave Leeward Islands a really good partnership and got them some good runs. We were very impressed with his batting as well.

“Hayden was very close to selection and I am happy he has got back his form. He is bowling well and is always going to be in our plans.”

Haynes also said that he was told Jason Holder “is involved only in T20 and Tests” and is not available for ODIs.