
Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) that forms part of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has expressed disappointment that national left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul was overlooked as a replacement for Sunil Narine for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
The Berbice board believes that the 25-year-old spinner should have been the automatic replacement for Narine, instead of Jamaican left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, who turns 33 in May.
BCB in a release stated that when Narine announced his withdrawal they were confident Permaul would be the obvious choice.
Permaul has played in six ODIs for the West Indies since his debut against Bangladesh at Dhaka in December 2012 and last played against India at Kanpur in November 2013. He has also played in four tests.
The Albion cricketer also played for the Guyana Under -19s, the West Indies Under-19s, Sagicor High Performance Centre and West Indies A.
In the WICB Professional League Four-Day Tournament Permaul has topped the list, picking up 32 wickets from the four games played. He was also the second leading wicket-taker in the just concluded Nagico Super50 Tournament, grabbing 11 wickets, one behind Narine.
Miller has appeared in 45 ODIs and has taken 40 wickets since his debut against Australia at Basseterre in July 2008 and last played against England at North Sound in March 2014. He also appeared in one test.
In the WICB Professional League, Miller has taken 17 wickets and six in the Nagico Super50.
According to the WICB selection panel, the West Indies is moving in a new direction with the emphasis on picking young players who have performed in West Indies cricket.
Meanwhile, the West Indies will enter the World Cup this month still stuck at number eight in the latest International Cricket Council One-Day rankings with 94 rating points, just two behind Pakistan. Australia will start the tournament in top spot with India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland.
The West Indies are in Group B with defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland and United Arab Emirates.
The Windies will play two warm-up matches, the first against England on Feb. 9, then against Scotland on Feb. 12 at Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia. Their first ICC match is against Ireland on Feb. 16 at Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand.