“A Dangerous Precedent”: Former players slam CWI over Pooran World Cup pursuit

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – In a stunning and brutally frank critique on the popular Mason and Guest radio show, two respected former West Indies figures have launched a scathing attack on Cricket West Indies (CWI) for reportedly considering asking Nicholas Pooran to reverse his international retirement for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The comments from former selector Roland Butcher and former opener Philo Wallace condemned the very idea as “divisive,” “a dangerous precedent,” and a move that would “tear that team apart.”

Butcher, known for his measured analysis, did not mince words. “I would not be bending over backwards chasing that player to come in to play.

The fact that he’s retired suggests that he doesn’t want to play. If he doesn’t want to play, well, that’s fine.”

He argued passionately that such a move undermines the entire squad ethos. “It sets a dangerous precedent for the rest of the team and for any young player coming forward,” Butcher explained. “You’re going to go chase (a retired player) to select them in front of a young player who is really desperate to play and working his socks off to play.”

His most damning assessment was reserved for the potential locker room impact. “I think it is divisive, and it will tear that team apart. Get by with the best that you have, but you don’t tear the whole unit apart because of a few people.”

Philo Wallace echoed and reinforced Butcher’s sentiments with equal force. “I would not ask Pooran to come and play for the West Indies again. If a man retires, he retires. If you’re retiring from international cricket, that means you don’t want to play international cricket.”

Wallace questioned the very foundation of the selection system, whether it must resort to recalling retired players. “We can’t be so bad at selecting players that we can go ask Pooran if he wants to come and play in a World Cup. It doesn’t look good for West Indies cricket.”

He pointed to the wealth of active, striving talent across the region as the rightful pool for selection. “You have players who have played all around the world, who are looking to make a mark, to get in the eyes of coach (Daren) Sammy. I think you need to give those players a chance. If their performances merit selection, they should be selected.”

Both agreed the reported approach sets a “bad precedent,” with Wallace adding that the official responsible “should take stock of themself and not repeat it.”

The fierce criticism from such authoritative voices places CWI under intense scrutiny as World Cup preparations intensify, raising serious questions about selection philosophy, team culture, and the message sent to the next generation of West Indian cricketers.

CMC