Andy Roberts Slams Shimron Hetmyer For Pulling Out Of The England Tour
Andy Roberts [Photo-Getty]

Andy Roberts, former West Indies pace-bowling legend, has slammed talented batsman Shimron Hetmyer for opting to sit out of the upcoming three-match Test series against England amidst Covid-19 concerns.

Hetmyer, along with veteran middle-order batsman Darren Bravo, had pulled out of the England tour, forcing the West Indian selection committee to make a few last-minute changes.

Andy Roberts Slams Shimron Hetmyer For Pulling Out Of The England Tour
Shimron Hetmyer. Credit: AFP

Roberts recently appeared on his former ‘partner in crime’ fellow speedster Michael Holding on the latters Youtube channel where he lamented at the decision of the precociously talented Hetmyer.

“They would have played an integral part of the batting. As much as we don’t like the way Hetmyer has been playing, he is one of the batsmen for the future. But somebody has to get into his head and let him realise that you can’t score runs sitting in the pavilion,” Andy Roberts said on Michael Holding’s YouTube channel.

Michael Holding had earlier called the two batsmen’s decision of not going to England as ‘unfortunate’.

Also Read: Joe Root Wary Of West Indies’ Fast Bowling Depth; Warns His Batsmen To Prepare ‘Well’

Andy Roberts excited about the resurgence in West Indies fast bowling

Andy Roberts also opened up about the West Indian batsmen’s inability to maneuver the ball in gaps.

According to Roberts, the main reason behind that is that West Indies batsmen “don’t really train and practice enough to work the ball into gaps. We believe in boundaries.”

Andy Roberts Slams Shimron Hetmyer For Pulling Out Of The England Tour
Oshane Thomas. Credit: Getty Images

Roberts, however, is excited about the emergence of genuine fast bowlers like Oshane Thomas, Chemar Holder.

“I am glad to see there is a sort of a resurgence in the last couple of months, not years, just the last couple of months – there are some youngsters are coming through and I hope that we don’t try and expect too much off them too soon,”Andy Roberts said.

West Indies will lock horns with England in a bid to successfully defend the Wisden Trophy with the first Test set to take place at the Ageas Bowl in Edgbaston on July 08.

Also Read: West Indies Players See Jofra Archer As Another ‘Englishman’ Now: Jason Holder