CATEGORY:SPORTS(CRICKET)
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By Trevor Thwaites
Inside Grenada correspondent
Friday December 08,2006


ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - From all indications, it is clear that Junior Murray, who has represented Grenada, the Windward Islands and the West Indies with merit for more than a decade is about to be axed from the team for the 2006 regional cricket season starting early next month. Murray affectionately nicknamed “the Ninja” for his graceful and acrobatic performances behind the stumps, may not keep again for his beloved country or the Windward Islands.

Murray is playing in the 2006 Windward Islands tournament here strictly as a batsman. There is the feeling that Murray, who last played test for the West Indies in the region in 2001, has been forgotten by the West Indies, after being overlooked despite reasonably good performances. Local officials have confirmed that they have been advised to use young Andre Fletcher or Marlon Henry behind the stumps during the current cricket season.

An official told this reporter that the Windward Islands wanted local selectors to completely drop Murray from the team for the season. However, the Grenada Cricket Association has agreed to let the two players share the weeket-keeping chores but for Murray to play on as a batsman. Despite still being among the best keepers in the game, Murray is believed to be by many one the leading batsman in the Windward Islands and among the best in the region.

“We are going to play him as a batsman. When he scores runs and they do not want to pick him, that’s the selectors business,” an official of the Grenada Cricket Association said. At age 38, Murray is definitely the fittest of the Grenada and Windward islands players. He still spends a lot of time in the gym training and keeping physically fit. “I still love the game. I believe I have another two or three years of first class cricket to play. They have disrespected me”, he said.


Murray is undoubtedly the best wicketkeeper/batsman the Windward Islands has produced. He made his test debut for the West Indies against Australia at Sydney in 1993 and has played 33 test matches for the West Indies, scoring 918 runs at an average of 24.19. He has one century, an unbeaten 101, and three half centuries.

He has also played 55 one day international for the West Indies scoring 5,150 runs at an average of 24.60. He has a highest score of 86 and has also hit five half centuries. Murray has, to date, played 147 first class games, with 249 innings at an average of 30.95. He has recorded 11 centuries and scored a total 6,780 runs. His highest is 218 made at the Tanteen playing field against Guyana in 1997.