Adams gets the job
JAMAICA'S JIMMY ADAMS was yesterday appointed captain of the West Indies team for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan. Adams, 32, who recently led Jamaica to the Busta Cup championship, replaces Brian Lara, who said on Thursday he was taking a break from international cricket after resigning as captain last week. Lara quit after the disastrous tour of New Zealand in which West Indies lost both Tests and all five one-day internationals. Adams was vice-captain in New Zealand, the 1999 home series against Australia and last year's World Cup in England before his promotion by the West Indies Board of Control. In a radio interview Adams said he was happy and honoured to be given the job. "I heard some names being bandied around, but I just remained composed and when I heard that I was the person, I immediately told myself I must get the guys to play to their full potential and that will bring about good results," Adams said. He added it was unfortunate Lara has taken a break from cricket but his players must look beyond that even though he will be sadly missed. "Brian has made his decision already and we wish him well, but we must stay focused, look at the job at hand and get on with it." Adams' appointment has been greeted with glee by members of the local board. President Jackie Hendriks said he was delighted that 'Jimmy' has been appointed as the new West Indies captain. "I am happy because I know that he is a real fighter...someone who never gives up. I believe that he will carry over the same sort of dedication and commitment that he showed in the Busta Cup to the West Indies team and that can only benefit West Indies cricket," the former Test wicketkeeper said. Second vice-president George Sterling said he was not surprised by the appointment. "I think that Adams has the capacity and the proper attitude to do well, as was demonstrated in his handling of the team in the recent Busta Cup competition," Mr. Sterling said. Apart from his prowess as a left-handed batsman, Adams is a useful left-arm orthodox spin bowler and capable wicket-keeper. He made his Test debut in the one-off Test against South Africa in Barbados in 1992. Before that, he initially appeared in the first-class game as a 17-year-old against Barbados in 1985. He represented the West Indies youth team in the 1988 Youth World Cup in Australia. Born January 9, 1968 in Port Maria, St. Mary, Adams has played 48 Tests and 104 one-day internationals. He led the West Indies in the last three matches of the seven-match limited-overs series against Australia in the Caribbean last year when Lara was sidelined with a wrist injury. He has recorded five centuries and a total of 2,326 Test runs at a commendable average of 45.60. His highest score was an unbeaten 208 against New Zealand in Antigua in 1996. An occasional bowler, Adams has taken 19 wickets at 44.47 apiece with a best haul of five for 17 in the 1996 home series against New Zealand when he was named man-of-the-series. He has scored 1,797 runs in limited-overs cricket at an average of 30.45 with a highest score of 82 and taken 32 wickets at an average of 35.87. The opening Test between West Indies and Zimbabwe starts in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on March 16.
|