By Allan Bazilio
I have followed from a distance the latest of so many unpleasant situations which have threatened the very existence of West Indies Cricket: The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Julian Hunte, embroiled in controversy with the seemingly disgruntled president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) Dinanath Ramnarine.
With so many other urgent matters to be addressed regarding the survival and development of West Indies Cricket, The Honorable Dr. Julian Hunte now finds himself in a “Street Brawl.” with a former player who is obviously still bitter over being discarded by the selectors so many years ago.
From all that have been reported, the Trinidad and Tobago Board is fully behind this “Pretender” who is now usurping the privileged position thrust upon him by the undeserving underachievers whom he now represents.
Many yet to prove themselves worthy of wearing the maroon trimmed sweater and matching cap worn so proudly by the great players of yesteryear.
That the people of the Caribbean can sit idly by while this upstart and his cohorts try to hijack West Indies Cricket is preposterous and ridiculous to say the least and to hear a Senior Member of The Trinidad And Tobago Board suggesting that they play as an independent country begs the question:
Is Ramnarine, himself a Trinidadian, being used by his countrymen to create the divide that will ultimately lead to the demise and destruction of the West Indies Board?
Stranger things have happened.
It has been established that West Indian Cricketers are among the highest paid in the world despite their poor and uninspiring performances during the last 10 years.
None will argue that the affairs of West Indies Cricket have not been poorly managed by a board that has changed as many presidents as the selectors have recycled players but regardless of their shortcomings there remains a role to be played by this institution until such time it renders itself incapable of doing so.
Dwindling Test match crowds, increased operational costs and regional governments who are willing but lack the resources to contribute to the upkeep of the region’s national sport make a grave situation even worse.
Co-operative citizens who once poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into West Indies cricket can no longer do so because of the much talked about ‘economic downturn’ which is creating havoc in every corner of the globe.
Cable and Wireless and now Digicel have been the life savers of the ailing West Indies Cricket at a time when most companies are not willing to invest in a product which lacks quality and marketability.
Ramnarine needs to remind the players that their team ranks number eight from a list of 10 despite the attractive wages, the best hotels, travelling business class and all the other trimmings which now come with being a West Indies player not to mention the millions spent on coaching players who are coming to test cricket with no major first class achievements.
In 1995 the West Indies engaged England in England in a series comprising six Test Matches but in 2009 was forced to accept a two-match series in the middle of winter.
The Australians granted us three.
The WICB is therefore at the mercy of the players who instead of instructing their representive to accept what is being offered are asking for wages and conditions not commensurate with their performances and abilities.
How can WIPA seriously be making these unreasonable demands for a product which has lost its “Real” value and is now at the point of becoming obsolete?
How many specialist batsmen on the West Indies Team boast the accepted average of over 40 runs per inning in Test Cricket and how many of the bowlers a strike rate below 30 runs per wicket?
Instead of making these unreasonable demands it should be urging its’ members to improve their skills rather than seeking to improve their pay.
Workers in many companies have agreed to reduced hours and pay in order to save their jobs because they understand that half a loaf is better than no bread. A reduced pay check is better than being unemployed.
The great Tiger Woods has had to accept reduced endorsements and he is ‘The King of Golf.’
WIPA seem oblivious to all that is happening around the world and needs to seriously rethink it’s strategy before engaging the board in further discussions regarding players emoluments.
Sports Editor’s Note: Allan Bazilo is a former cricket commentator. He also hosted the popular television sports show `Beyond The Boundary. He now resides in the USA.