Dear Editor,
There is a general consensus about the current impasse between the WICB and WIPA: that our cricket is in the doldrums both administratively and in terms of player quality. And the people who lead these two groups do not have the interest of cricket at heart.
The legendary players, Messrs Clive Lloyd and Michael Holding have been scathing in their attack on both the WICB and WIPA (CRICINFO, July 23, ‘Lloyd and Holding slam WICB, WIPA’). And some of the points raised by the legends against both parties are staggering.
They have dubbed the players as “greedy” and “underachievers” who just want to play the game for the financial benefit rather than for the love of the game. They described their representative as “carrying a chip on his shoulder for grievances from playing days” which seems to influence the way he executes his responsibilities.
For the WICB, they have described them as a “dysfunctional organization that needs to realize that they are dealing with a modern game and changing times” and that they have “an outdated board of directors, most of whom take up office space instead of offering something to the game or organization.”
So what should happen now? Should we just forgive the players and the board and let cricket go on as though nothing has happened? Most definitely not!
The first thing that should happen is, since both the WICB and WIPA have to be blamed for this most recent impasse, that both CEOs resign immediately. This would enable a new management with new ideas to be enforced. A new direction needs to be taken on the selection of board members to ensure that those selected are not “outdated and taking up office space.”
There definitely has to be a new captain who is loyal to West Indies cricket no matter what the issue. Chris Gayle’s gaffes within recent times and his militant stance do not make him a suitable captain, especially in this time when there will be need for much reconciliation. Dwayne Bravo seems similarly outspoken, and Sarwan always seems to have some issue with the WICB. Chanderpaul seems to be the most loyal of the bunch and a genuine cricket lover, but he does not seem capable of taking on the burden of captaincy, especially at such a sensitive moment. The only other possible alternative is Darren Ganga, who seems calm, intelligent and mature – absolute requirements during this period of reconciliation. His career record does not allow him to make the W/Indies team on merit, but this may have to be overlooked in the name of better leadership. But then again, there are not many players who are actually doing any better.
As for the performance by the players, the legends stated “it is astonishing that only three of the first team players top an average of 35.” And an average of 35 normally represents an average player. Astounding indeed! Almost all of the batsmen on an India or Australia or South Africa team, including those that can’t even make the first team, average in the 40s and upwards with at least two players above 50. That’s how far behind our team is in terms of quality and high performance. As for our bowlers, almost all have averages better suited to our batsmen.
Yet these are the players demanding better treatment and payment. What about the loyal public who deserve better treatment and performances from them? It is time that the WICB take a harder stance against mediocre performances. Players like Gayle, Sarwan, Bravo, et al, who have some of the most abundant talent in world cricket but whose returns are not reflective of their ability need to be given strict warning: Start performing or give others a chance.
The WICB definitely needs more ‘past players’ on board to assist with management. After all they would be the ones most suited to understand the intricacies of managing the game since they were part of it. The only WICB president who reigned with some amount of respect and understanding was the Rev Wes Hall, a legendary past player. It was most unfortunate when his tenure was cut short due to illness. Imagine what can be achieved if the WICB had more persons like Rev Hall on their board of directors, especially at decision-making levels. It’s time someone like Clive Lloyd, so highly respected in the world of cricket but deemed surplus to W/Indies cricket, be given the reins of the WICB. That would be a major first step in reconciling the players with the board. It would reassure them that one of them is in charge. He’ll give tough but compassionate leadership to the WICB.
It’s also time that the Caricom countries contribute more to W/Indies cricket. The governments should all agree to ensure that every country has the basic facilities for the development of cricket – an academy and an upgraded cricket facility on par with other international teams. As Dwayne Bravo recently pointed out in a CRICINFO article, the only Caribbean country with facilities on par with international standards is Trinidad and Tobago, and they are the country producing most of the stand-out young talents of the region. There must be a connection. If other countries could follow a similar route, imagine where W/Indies cricket would be.
The current strike by the WIPA has been a very dark cloud hanging over our heads. But there could be a silver lining if we take this opportunity to properly restructure West Indies cricket, from the board to the players to the member countries. When the dust has settled and proper measures taken, our cricket may emerge stronger and then the real revitalization of W/Indies cricket may begin.
But if we take the short-term approach and bury our heads in the sand, then it is almost inevitable that a similar situation will resurface and each time this happens the wound in W/Indies cricket becomes deeper and eventually we may not be able to recover. If this happens then cricket as a game would have been the biggest loser.
Cricket without West Indies is like football without Brazil. W/Indies cricket is much bigger than the WICB or the WIPA. It is a world-renowned brand. If only our present cricketers can absorb the fact that their poor performances are as much to blame for the state of our cricket as the inept management of the WICB. After all, they are the ones that have brought down the aura and value of the brand. And this has directly influenced the amount of revenue that the WICB can garner through sponsorship or profitable tours.
There was once a time when a W/Indies team was the most sought after international cricket team. Now, it’s regularly shunned by the major powers and it’s only through obligatory ICC tours that West Indies manages to garner revenue from cricket. And this is all because of the abysmal depth to which the quality of our cricket has fallen.
So, when Mr Ramnarine et al jump up and point fingers at the WICB for the debacle, they also need to look closely at the performances of the players they represent. Do their performances justify them going on strike for better wages? Compare the amount of money the players make from cricket as against the performances that they put out. Whenever there are big money matches like the IPL or Stanford 20/20 the players perform to the best of their ability. They suddenly become world beaters. But when they’re brought back down to earth by the ‘small’ – which incidentally is much higher than our corporate managers and also tax free – WICB salary, performance suddenly dips.
The WICB has started in the right direction by maintaining the team that performed creditably against Bangladesh and left out the striking players. It will serve notice that no individual is bigger than cricket. It is hard decisions such as these that will get W/Indies out of its doldrums.
Those players that prefer to gain lucrative income through 20/20 should be allowed to leave. After all, money is their main motive. And in the present situation WICB cannot compete against the 20/20 barons.
The younger players showing the requisite talent should be nurtured. These include Adrian Bharath, Darren Bravo, Llendl Simmons, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, et al. The other older players who deem W/Indies cricket important should be allowed to return to the fray. The important ones are Chanderpaul, Bravo and Edwards. The others need to show their commitment to W/Indies cricket before being allowed to return.
Oh, if only a Michael Holding or a Gordon Greenidge could suddenly emerge on our horizon. But look, isn’t there Kemar Roach and Adrian Bharath showing the attributes of these legends? Our cricket is not too bad after all. We just have to get our priorities in order. Proper leadership and a loyal cricketer who plays with his heart.
Yours faithfully,
M Abraham
