SAMMY'S IN A SOUP AND SO IS WINDIES CRICKET!

Cricket in Caribbean is in a deep mess... Absolutely no doubt about it... Even a second-third string Indian team managed to first beat them in the one-off T20 International and then in the first three ODIs so far to clinch the series. Chris Gayle is still sitting out, at times in the Trini Possi Stand at the Queens Park Oval, with a beer mug in his hand, seeing his team losing. What a shame! And then there is skipper Darren Sammy. Somehow, I find a lot common between (no ex) Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura and Sammy. Both don't look like leaders at all, on and off the field, both smile after defeats and whatever both say is not easy to understand...

So here was Sammy, issuing a statement hours before the start of the 3rd ODI in Antigua vs India - something on which captains of other Test playing countries - maybe even Bangladesh - would never comment...

Statement from West Indies Captain Darren Sammy

I am concerned about certain falsehoods which are being disseminated in certain sections of Caribbean media. These falsehoods seem designed to continue to smear my character as an individual, a cricketer and West Indies captain.

Therefore I wish to make it abundantly clear to the public that at no time did I discourage, dissuade or in any other way seek to influence any player’s non-attendance to the recently held WIPA Awards function. Players made their own decisions not to attend.

I also wish to make it clear that I myself was unable due to personal reasons. I expressed regret at my inability to attend however at no time did I give any commitment to WIPA or any of its officers that I would be attending the function and any suggestion to the contrary is not based in fact.

During the function WIPA President and CEO Mr. Dinanath Ramnarine called me on the phone and said he was sending a car to the team hotel to pick me up however without waiting for a response from me he hung up the phone. I was unable to contact him to explain that I would not be able to attend as I had previously indicated to him.

It has never been in my nature to behave in the manner being suggested. Those who know me as a person can attest to this and despite criticisms, challenges and the like I have always remained true to the ideals of representing West Indies cricket when and wherever it is required of me.

GOODBYE KATICH, PONTING'S NEXT

Simon Katich has been left out of Cricket Australia's list of 25-contracted players for the next 12 months.

Michael Hussey has made it. So Kaich goes out, will it be Ricky Ponting's turn next year?
The 2011-12 Cricket Australia contracted players are:

Doug Bollinger 29

Michael Clarke 30

Patrick Cummins 18

Xavier Doherty 28

Callum Ferguson 26

Brad Haddin 33

Ryan Harris 31

John Hastings 25

Nathan Hauritz 29

Ben Hilfenhaus 28

Phillip Hughes 22

David Hussey 33

Michael Hussey 36

Mitchell Johnson 29

Usman Khawaja 24

Jason Krejza 28

Brett Lee 34

Shaun Marsh 27

Tim Paine 26

James Pattinson 21

Ricky Ponting 36

Peter Siddle 26

Steven Smith 22

Shane Watson 29

Cameron White 27

Added to the 25-player contracted list for 2011-12 are Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, John Hastings, David Hussey, Usman Khawaja, Jason Krejza and James Pattinson.

Doherty, Hastings, Hussey, Khawaja and Krejza ended 2010-11 as contracted players after earning sufficient upgrade points while Cummins and Pattinson have been awarded contracts for the first time.

Departing the list is James Hopes, Simon Katich, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Shaun Tait and Adam Voges who did not have their contracts renewed for 2011-12.

The National Selection Panel (NSP) nominate the 25 players based on the following criteria:

- The form of the players over the past 12 months; and

- Their likelihood of Australian selection over the next 12 months taking into account the formats of cricket Australia plays, balance of the side and the need to ensure the future development of the Test and limited overs teams.

Says Selection Panel, Chairman Andrew Hilditch: “The next 12 months is a very important period in Australian cricket. It will undoubtedly be a tough and demanding period as we play three of the world’s top four Test nations during away series against Sri Lanka and South Africa and home series against New Zealand and India.

“However we see it as a very exciting opportunity to commence regaining Australia’s leading position in world cricket.

“The NSP is very pleased with the list which sees a blend of experienced, proven international players together with the best young talent in the country who we are sure is ready for the challenges ahead.

“The NSP has added two exciting young fast bowling talents to the list in James Pattinson and Patrick Cummins. James has tasted international cricket and we see him as a young man of immense talent who is made of the right stuff to succeed at the higher level. Patrick Cummins is an exceptional talent who has impressed with his opportunities to date for New South Wales and it will be very exciting to watch his progress.

“Two spinners are added to the contract list in Xavier Doherty and Jason Krezja. Jason has previously enjoyed success at Test level and recently was a member of our ICC Cricket World Cup squad. Xavier has been doing a very good job for Australia, particularly at one-day level and both are looking forward to the opportunity to play more international cricket.

“John Hastings has been awarded his first contract after playing very well in limited opportunities in our one-day team while David Hussey has again received a contract after impacting in our Twenty20 side and playing well in his one opportunity during the recent quarter-final match against India in the Cricket World Cup.

“The list also includes some of our best young batting talent with Shaun Marsh, Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja all receiving contracts. Usman receives his first full contract after debuting in the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG and we see him as a very important player for the future of Australian cricket.

"Several players have unfortunately not been offered contracts this year. The most notable of those is Simon Katich. Simon has been a fantastic player for Australia and a key and successful member of the Test team in recent years. However, amongst other matters, the NSP felt it was the right time now to start blooding our next opening partnership in preparation for the Ashes two years from now. The opening partnership is critical to the success of any team and takes time to develop the necessary experience at international level. We feel it is important this change is made now as we prepare for the challenges ahead."

“While some difficult decisions have been made, the NSP is very excited by the list chosen and in particular the addition of youth from both batting and bowling disciplines. We are confident these young players, in combination with our established senior players, will play a key role in ensuring Australian cricket returns to its rightful position as a leader in world cricket over the coming years.”