Drakes faces a dilemma

Vasbert Drakes is facing his second career decision within a week.

After deciding to put his contract with South African province Border on hold and accepting selection to the West Indies team to the ICC Champions Trophy here as a replacement for the injured Cameron Cuffy, the 33-year-old all-rounder now has to resolve whether to wait for another call-up for the seven One-Day Internationals on the tour of India in November.

Drakes, whose commitment to Border for the last five years made him ineligible for the West Indies, was picked after the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) changed its rule so that qualification was dependent only on availability for the preceding regional tournament.

His performances in the Red Stripe Bowl gained him Cuffy's position for the Champions' Trophy but he was omitted from the 16 announced Monday for the three Tests in India that follow the Champions' Trophy (October 9 to November 3).

His experience and ability as fast bowler and capable lower-order batsman make him a near-certainty for the limited-overs team, especially for the World Cup in South Africa next February 9 to March 23.

If chosen, his selection would further restrict his appearances for Border, who might be inclined to seek a replacement.

Along with all the other players here, Drakes learned of the composition of the team for the India Tests from a phone call for home.

Manager Ricky Skerritt said yesterday it was "an unsatisfactory way" of communicating.

"It is nothing new but, by now, we should have a procedure in place by which the players don't have to find out where they stand from a call or an e-mail from friends or through the Press or the radio," he said.

"They should be told first by the board and, when on tour, through the manager," he added.

It is a sentiment that has been repeatedly echoed over the years but still not heeded.