Nicholas Pooran should come out of retirement

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Cricket lovers in the region should petition Nicholas Pooran to reconsider his retirement from international cricket.

He is one of the top players in the T20 format.

Pooran is an exceptional cricketer, who has served West Indies (WI) cricket well. He came up through the youth programmes and made his senior debut at 20. He captained the WI T20 but relinquished the post to the dismay of many.

He is ranked among the top 10 batters on the ICC T20 listing. He has an array of outstanding achievements, quite notably, he holds the record for most runs scored in a calendar year – 2331 to be exact and hitting most sixes (170). He is also a very competent wicket keeper.

His retirement, in my view, is a travesty and can extend to becoming a tragedy if not addressed. The West Indies cricket needs Pooran, like how dry peas need water

Cricket West Indies (CWI) could have been more resourceful in their handling f the this case. Considering that this young cricketer was on top of his game. When he decided to retire, injury or other health concern not given as the reasons CWI should have recognised something was amiss and sought to mediate on the matter.

Top cricketers nations like Australia, England, India, South Africa to name a few, would not have allowed any of their top players to walk away “just so”.

Had the region blessed with a more hands on leadership some level of mediation would have taken place.

The big question, is who is going to bell the cat – which groups or individuals will take the initiative in approaching Pooran. Perhaps the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar should take that step.

This issue speaks to the importance of cricket in the West Indies and its economic and social impact.

Let’s reach out to Nicholas Pooran and encourage him to come out of retirement. West Indies cricket, and the game on a whole, will be the winner.

DALGALISH HENRY SNR