Guyana Chronicle
March 8, 2001

MANAGER of the West Indies cricket team, Ricky Skerritt, yesterday issued a call to all supporters of Caribbean cricket to be positive and to fully support the players selected ahead of tomorrow's first Cable and Wireless Test against South Africa at the GCC ground, Bourda.

Skerritt's call comes amidst the negative comments made by former West Indies fast bowler and television commentator Michael Holding about the appointment of Carl Hooper as captain of the West Indies team.

Skerritt said: "I respect Michael Holding as an independent professional and he understands his own circumstance and what affects him. He has his individual right. These negative comments will not help the players nor the team.

I take this opportunity to call upon everyone in the region to support the team and all players selected to represent us."

"I know that we will get wonderful support here in Guyana and all the other countries where the matches will be played. Our people are knowledgeable and matured and they know what can affect the players.

The team needs the wholehearted support of everyone concerned in seeing our team doing well against a South African team that is extremely competitive."

Skerritt revealed that he and other members of the management team will do their utmost to protect the players from negative comments.

The manager said they will try to keep them focused on the things that will bring positive results. "This series will not be easy but I know that our players will be giving their best to achieve better results than our overseas tours," Skerritt pointed out.

"We are playing at home and we have a good chance of doing well in the series. If we can stay focused for every session for every day, we will be able to achieve our goals."

In this manner West Indies can take on any team and be successful. Skerritt said he will not allow the players to get involved in these extreme opinions which will not do West Indies cricket any good.

"The players have to concentrate on their roles and support each other in every department. In this way, we will be able to nurture the younger and inexperienced players and bring out the best in them", Skerritt concluded. (Brij Parasnath).