Ganga questions “incredulous” omission of Hetmyer

Former West Indies opener Daren Ganga took to his official Facebook page on Thursday to question the West Indies decision to omit talented batsman Shimron Hetmyer from the starting XI for the second One-Day International against Australia in Barbados on Thursday.

The former Trinidad and Tobago captain turned international cricket commentator, who is actively part of the ongoing series, expressed dismay over the decision which had social media in a verbal war zone Thursday afternoon.

Ganga posted: “Now that all precautions have been taken after a COVID -19 test returned positive for a non-playing member of West Indies Team. It’s incredulous that @shetmyer was not named in the WI playing XI today. Please help me comprehend this! Surely a more Egalitarian Approach Required..”

The 24-year-old Guyanese, who has five ODI centuries, was elevated to open the batting in the first ODI on Tuesday after marque batsman Shai Hope injured his ankle on the ever of the match.

Hetmyer made 11 from 12 balls on his return to the team after being dropped for the Sri Lanka series in March and also the Cricket West Indies International retainers list for 2021-2022.

However, during the recently concluded five-match T20I series between the two sides, the pugnacious left-hander made 81 runs in three innings at an average of 40.50 and strike rate of 132.78, with a highest score of 61 off 36 balls.

The second ODI in Barbados was suspended moments before the first ball was due to be bowled after reports of a positive COVID test emerged. A short while later, a CWI spokesman confirmed the match had been “postponed” with more details to come.

The toss had already taken place with teams named when the situation began to unfold.

West Indies XI read: Shai Hope (wk), Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (capt), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh Jr, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell.

Hope was the lone change for Hetmyer as many persons questioned why Jason Mohammed still held a spot after he made two from six in the 133-run defeat in the first ODI where West Indies were bundled out for 123 after being 27-6 in the eighth over.

On Wednesday, captain Kieron Pollard spoke of Mohammed’s value to the team as a mirror to Roston Chase, who can bat in the middle order and also bowl spin.