Jimmy Adams, the director of cricket at CWI, also revealed that they are considering an interim coach until the tour of South Africa, which will run till the end of March, with the current head coach Phil Simmons set to part ways with the team in December. “The situation regarding Roston Chase and Motie is that we as a panel decided that we would go for an offspinner,” Haynes said during a virtual press conference. “That’s the reason why we didn’t include Moti we decided that Chase was the best person to do the job and that’s what the panel decided.

“When you look at someone like Roston Chase, his record in Test cricket has been pretty good. Although he did lose some form, he played a few games against Zimbabwe this year. The panel wanted to go with an offspinner and that’s what ticked in Roston’s favor. Not just that he would help us in the batting department but also he would be a very good allrounder who can bowl off-spin.”

Chase is returning from an injury and is the only spin option in the squad which will play two Tests in November-December. He has not played international cricket since turning out for WICB XI against the touring Bangladesh side in a three-day fixture in June. However, he took part in CPL 2022, picking up six wickets in 11 matches for St Lucia Kings and scoring 100 runs in ten innings. Having debuted in 2016, Chase’s last Test came in December 2021 against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Meanwhile, Adams, the director of cricket, mentioned that there were “quite a few things” that came into the picture for Cornwall’s selection, including “medical and physical” reasons which are why the CWI waited till Friday to announce the contingent. Cornwall finished as the highest wicket-taker in the four-day championship, with 23 strikes in five matches at an average of 21.47. He revealed that Dominic Drakes was also considered.

“It [his selection criteria] included quite a few things – medical and physical, ” Adam said of Cornwall. “But this isn’t the forum to discuss issues of that nature, I can’t give you much information. But all of the information surrounding Rakheem needed to come in for selection.

“There was a group of players under consideration for selection. From what I was told from the lead of the panel, [for] Rakheem and Dominic Drakes, we needed information on not just these two but on the group and we decided we wouldn’t make a decision on either players or any of the players until all information that was required came in. And it was not until we had all the information to make a decision, the team didn’t officially go out until Friday because the final selection happened on Friday morning. So we needed information on these players, Raheem was one of them, and once the information came in, the panel was able to convene and select the squad.”

One of the other main talking points from the squad selection is Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of former batter Shivnarine, earning his maiden call-up to West Indies’ senior side for the two-match Test series in Australia. Haynes heaped praise on Tagenarine, who he feels can rise to the challenge, and backed him to open with Kraigg Brathwaite.

“I believe [Kraigg and Tage can work well together]. I think what you have to take into consideration too is with Tage, a young man, he’s got a very good technique to the good new ball,” Haynes said.

“He leaves alone very well. When you go to places like Australia, you don’t want to see the number three batsman coming in too early or the number four. So I think he and Kraigg would complement each other because at least they would be looking at what openers should do for a team as well, which is build a foundation for the side so the guys coming in down the order would not get the new ball. I think it’s a good choice of picking the young man. [There is a] no better place to start your cricket career than Australia where a lot of people believe if you do well against Australia then you’re rated.

“It’s always been considered a tough place to play cricket and I think he can do it.”

“I acknowledge that it’s not just the team that is hurting but the proud nations we represent as well,” Simmons said in a statement released by CWI on Monday night. “It’s disappointing and heart-wrenching but we just didn’t turn up. “We weren’t good enough and we now have to watch a tournament play out without our involvement. It’s unfathomable and for that, I deeply apologize to our fans and followers.”

Simmons’ second spell in the job started in October 2019, after an initial 18-month tenure in which he helped steer West Indies to the 2016 T20 World Cup, uniting a squad of big personalities and encouraging a pioneering batting approach focused on six-hitting.
The Test team’s results have gradually improved during that time, with series wins over England and Bangladesh earlier this year. But T20Is have been a different story and they have suffered early exits at the last two World Cups, losing four games out of five in 2021 and two out of three in Australia last week.

Simmons will remain in charge for the upcoming two-Test series against Australia, which starts on November 30 at Optus Stadium in Perth. He said that he would also participate in CWI’s postmortem into the World Cup exit. Simmons added that he had been considering his position before the tournament. “From a personal perspective this is not a knee-jerk reaction, but a move I have been considering for some time, he said. “Now is the time to make public that I will step down as West Indies head coach at the end of the Test series against Australia.

“It is earlier than hoped for, but I will now focus my energies in Australia on continuing to build on the excellent progress the Test team has made. Of course, as the president has pointed out, we will also carry out the necessary review of our World Cup campaign.
“I must say I have enjoyed aspects of the unique challenge that being West Indies head coach provides and the unwavering support of my management team. There remain some exceptional individuals within CWI who I firmly believe will continue to work in the best interests of West Indies cricket.”

Ricky Skerritt, the president of CWI, said: “On behalf of CWI, I want to thank Phil for his hard work and dedication to West Indies cricket, most recently in his role as head coach. Phil is a proud West Indian, with high ideals and has never lacked motivation in guiding our younger players on and off the field of play.

“He brought valuable experience and stability at a very important period of transformation, including the most challenging environment of the Covid-19 pandemic. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”