Just want to play one IPL game and show where Windies selectors have erred: Anthony Martin

Team Windies is struggling big time against India in their home series. They are 2-0 down in the 5-match series with 2 games to play. All they need to do is win the last two games to stay in the hunt. But they need someone to step up. When they were in a similar situation in 2011, they had Anthony Martin. The leg-spinner was in the Windies side during the 2011 series.

Being 3-0 down, they needed some spirited show. Anthony Martin bagged a three-for in the fourth ODI that included the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. West Indies managed to win the game and later won the final ODI too, and had a saving grace in 3-2 defeat. However, the name of Anthony was lost in mere oblivion since then. He did not play any more games and had to take up a job of the firefighter in the Caribbean.

He was never recalled in the national side. And apparently, the man is disappointed with the same. As per the recent quotes in the Hindustan Times, Anthony Martin slammed the Windies cricket setup. He remarked that only the players who are good friends with the selectors make it to the team. He feels he is still better than the ones playing for the national side. He further added that no legend or former cricketer ever vouched for his inclusion in the side.

“I am not friends with selectors. This team is made up of people who are friends with selectors, share drink with them. I don’t, so I have not been in the team. These players, they have done nothing to deserve a place in the team. You see the performance, it’s a team of friends,” quoted Anthony Martin.

“I don’t do nothin’ (to appease them). I am still better than whoever is playing now. No one has pushed for the inclusion of my name. None of the great Antiguan cricketers have bothered to push my name,” he added.

Show them what they missed

The only dream that Martin has now is to play in the IPL. He wants to play against a quality batting lineup like the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He believes that would be the fitting way to show the Windies selectors where they miss usually miss the trick.

“I don’t go and ask them to do that, just like I don’t speak to the selectors. If I am good enough, then I should be getting an opportunity. And I believe I am better than the rest. I want to play just one IPL game and have a crack at the top batsmen like in the RCB. I want to show these guys where they have erred,” he conceded.