‘Denesh Ramdin’s gesture in poor taste’

Denesh Ramdin’s paper reply “Yea Viv Talk Nah” to Vivian Richards after his Birmingham century hasn’t gone down well with the cricket fraternity. Legendary West Indies wicketkeeper Jeffery Dujon, in an interview to G Krishnan, says the reaction was uncalled for

What did you make of Ramdin’s reaction?
It was totally unnecessary and not in the spirit of the game. It was a criticism made by someone (Richards) representing the region. It would be ridiculous if players were to react like that every time. It was uncalled for and a very, very poor display, especially from a player who is the captain of his country (Ramdin was named captain of Trinidad and Tobago in November 2011).

Did he react to pressure as the runs had dried up and the team was losing badly?
Obviously, he has been underachieving but, as a player, you will be criticised for something or the other. The best way to answer is with your tools — bat or ball. A public display is undesirable, for it shows things really get to you. It was just in poor taste.

Richards’s teammates and your onetime colleagues Desmond Haynes and Richie Richardson were part of the dressing room when Ramdin made the gesture. Would it have shocked them?
During the time I played, I did not see anyone behave like this on the field. The reaction would have come as a surprise to them.
Would you put the 27-year-old’s reaction to arrogance of youth?
I would prefer not to react like that because the game is still played the same way and requires the same level of maturity, especially when you know that almost everything is being televised. Players have to conduct themselves in a certain manner.

Are today’s wicketkeepers under pressure to score runs?
Modern ’keepers are wicketkeeper-batsmen and are expected to contribute at No 7. You need a keeper averaging in the 30s to have a balanced team. This, I think, is not unreasonable.

Since your retirement, only Ridley Jacobs (65 Tests between 1998 and 2004) played for a considerable period of time. Why is there a dearth of quality wicketkeepers in the West Indies?
I don’t think it has got to do with quality wicketkeepers. The West Indies have always been looking for that balanced wicketkeeper who can also bat. The matter is not the keeper’s standard with the gloves but his consistency with the bat.

We’ve been hoping to see the revival of the West Indies which somehow doesn’t seem to happen. Where is their cricket headed?
It is going to be a slow process. Right now, I see improvement in bowling. But the West Indies’ bowling has to be far more competitive, I think. It is just that the batsmen don’t seem to be able to put two innings together in a Test match. More consistency is needed in batting.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been with the team for 18 years now. He recently joined the 10,000 club in Tests. What’s the key to his longevity?
I think he has a very good understanding of his own game. He has taken that into every form of cricket. He is a top-class player who has matured with time.

Should he bat at No 5? It is held he might as well bat at three, being the side’s best batsman...
I think the West Indies need to find players for the top order. Chanderpaul has been extremely consistent in the middle. I don’t think a player of his quality deserves to be shifted around. If he is comfortable batting where he is, the line-up should be built around him. He’s nearing the end of his career; and if you ask him to bat early, you are just creating a void. The West Indies must try to fill in that void.