Windies miss a trick

There was a thrilling one-day match last night when Kamran Akmal, with 24 off nine balls, saw Pakistan home against West Indies with one ball to spare, a successful chase of 294. But while criticism should fall on the West Indies bowlers for failing to defend such a large total, am I alone in wondering why Andre Fletcher isn't in Abu Dhabi with West Indies?

Fletcher, as you will recall, was one of the stars to emerge from the Stanford Super Series. On a pitch that was producing low scores, he made 90 not out against Middlesex and then proved that he can play the supporting role too with 32 not out as the Superstars chased down England's piffling total with ease. I know that there is a difference between 20-over and 50-over cricket and that there is no official link between Stanford and the West Indies board, but I can't help feeling that the WICB missed a trick here. Fletcher had become the toast of the Caribbean, an icon for young cricketers, after his two innings. Now was the time to take a gamble on him cutting it in the international arena. A million dollars is a mighty reward, but much more valuable would have been using the stage to launch his international career.

Fletcher has played four ODIs and one T20 international, when he was at the crease on six not out when West Indies beat Australia this year. He clearly has the talent but more importantly West Indies clearly have the need for heroes to inspire the young. Sewnarine Chattergoon and Xavier Marshall, the younger batsmen in Abu Dhabi, may have bright futures but for now Fletcher is the man everyone is interested in.