Dyson off to bad start

When you are getting paid, you should be on the job, and that is why it is hard to understand why new West Indies coach John Dyson is in Australia and not involved in the preparation of the team he is being heavily remunerated to supervise.

Zimbabwe is perceived as a trouble spot and a dictatorship not high on the list of Australia's favourite destinations. It would seem logical to deduce that Dyson is falling in line with his government, which has imposed sanctions on the Robert Mugabe-led country.

The excuse that Dyson is remaining Down Under to finalise domestic matters doesn't cut it. Just a few weeks ago he asked West Indian fans to give him a chance to prove his worth. He can bet few of them will be in his corner with his no-show in Zimbabwe.

Whatever the reasons, Dyson's contract has started and two West Indians, Hendy Springer and David Williams, by-passed for the post, have to call the shots for the five ODIs which start November 30.

By the way, there can't be two bosses. Someone has to be head coach. Before either of the two men have any more sleepless nights, a decision should be taken on who will have the lead role in Harare and Bulawayo.

On the team itself, there will be no role whatsoever for Dwayne Smith, who has not quite produced the goods after 71 ODIs, in which he averages a pathetic 14. In his last 17 innings, he has had 14 single-digit scores including five ducks.

There is also no room for Pedro Collins and Corey Collymore, leaving Fidel Edwards as the only Barbadian in the squad of 15. Jamaican batsman Brenton Parchment is the new face, allrounder Darren Sammy is recalled and leg-spinner Rawl Lewis, who has been ignored since the tour of New Zealand last year, gets another chance to play in the international arena at age 33.

Marlon Samuels, under a cloud with an alleged bookie connection, has been selected but it is unsure whether he is 100% fit. The West Indies Cricket Board should let fans know if Samuels has been subjected to a fitness test.

Zimbabwe should not be a difficult assignment for Chris Gayle and his men. They haven't beaten the West Indies in four years and have counted just seven wins in 32 ODIs between the two sides.

It is important the West Indies not only win this series, but do so in authoritative fashion as this is really a net session before the major assignment in South Africa where they face the second-ranked ODI side in the world.