Dear Editor,
Superstitious folk associate Friday the 13th with bad luck, and they must be convinced after Friday’s debacle at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground where the 2nd Test in the series against England was abandoned due to a dangerous outfield. Cricket fans worldwide looked in disbelief at the venue which the West Indies Cricket Board and the Antigua Cricket Association certified ‘fit to play.’ What an embarrassment to West Indies cricket yet again. Memories of Sabina Park in 1998, when there was a similar occurrence and the Test match there was abandoned.
For the diehard fans like me it was unbearable, and we seethed with anger, for once again the West Indies Cricket Board had revealed their incompetence and unsuitability to lead West Indies cricket. At a time when morale is high and we’re still in a celebratory mode after the crushing defeat inflicted on England at Sabina Park a week ago, Windies fans looked forward to the future. The players delivered, the board failed.
“Enough! No more please!!” is the headline in Saturday’s Jamaica Observer referring to the incident on Friday. The first sentence sums it up, “So, from triumph and jubilation at Sabina Park in Kingston to shame and disgrace in Antigua.”
Other headlines about the incident were:-
‘Sand Castled’ Cricket365 News
‘Sand stops play’ Cricinfo
‘Beyond a joke’ Skysports
‘Farcical scenes as play called off in test’ CNN International
‘WHAT A FARCE: Antigua test abandoned 1.4 overs in due to a dodgy pitch’ Morning Star Online
‘Second test tittle-tattle’ BBC Sports
The Antigua Cricket Association must accept major blame for the fiasco that has certainly disgraced their greatest cricketing hero, Sir Vivian Richards. Sanctions should’ve been imposed on Antigua and no other Test match played there now. The WICB has once again blundered; guess that is what they do best.
Had it been Guyana, tongues would’ve wagged. Success is the sweetest revenge, and I encourage the authorities in Guyana to guarantee we get it right.
The West Indies Cricket Board after a 2008 that was filled with scandal, a lawsuit in which they were left with substantial legal costs and Carib Beer withdrawing its sponsorship of regional first class cricket, and where the calls for their resignation got louder, showed the world that they were not only arrogant, but clueless and worthless.
There is only one thing for them to do and that is to resign. It is the right thing if we are to salvage West Indies cricket and return to the glory days. The WICB blames the West Indies players for the stagnation in West Indies cricket. They accept no blame for their folly, they know no other way.
The region must mount pressure on the board for them to walk away. I have formed a group on Facebook, ‘The West Indies Cricket Board MUST RESIGN.’ Please join or in your own way ensure that cricket administration is placed in the hands of those who have West Indies cricket in their hearts and who have experience in administration.
The WICB must go. Windies forever!
Yours faithfully,
Dawn A Holder
