By rejecting the West Indies Cricket Board’s central contracts, Chris Gayle has effectively handed in his resignation as West Indies captain and Dwayne Bravo has disqualified himself for consideration. But the WICB, in its infinite wisdom, has already denied contracts to the other two leading contenders for the captaincy, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin, whilst controversially retaining less deserving players. Tony Cozier has suggested that the wholehearted Darren Sammy might be the right choice for captain, notwithstanding the risk that “the charge of the Lucianisation of West Indies cricket would inevitably follow.” More suspicious minds might already be forming conspiracy theories, but let’s not go there.
West Indies cricket is obviously facing another period of huge uncertainty. Few people though would have been surprised that Messrs Gayle, Bravo and Kieron Pollard, three of the most marketable players in the brash new world of Twenty20 cricket, have decided to maximise their earnings while they can, unburdened by any sentimental notions of regional pride and the desire to make West Indies cricket great again.
This, after all, is the ‘Age of Globalization,’ which Professor Hilary Beckles told us in 1999, in his two-volume work, The Development of West Indies Cricket, replaced the ‘Age of Nationalism.’ As the Barbadian historian has pointed out, the “new ideology” is “cash before country.” And in a less idealistic, more interconnected world, in which opportunities abound for the globe-trotting individual, who can really argue otherwise?
We in Guyana know only too well the considerations that have propelled tens of thousands to seek their fortunes abroad. The rest of the Caribbean is similarly afflicted. Patriotism and nation-building have given way, for the most part, to the imperatives of financial security and a better quality of life for one’s family. A modern West Indian cricketer seeking greener playing fields is hardly different from a qualified professional migrating for better remuneration and presumably, a certain degree of job satisfaction.
But shouldn’t players who have made their names in West Indies colours exhibit greater loyalty? Would Chris Gayle, now 31, be so highly prized on the T20 circuit had he not represented the West Indies in some 88 Test matches and 220 one day internationals? Perhaps not, but perhaps, after asking for extra time to consider the WICB’s offer, he thinks that he is now nearing the end of his international career and must cash in.
Recall Mr Gayle’s unguarded remarks in an interview during the West Indies tour of England last year when he said that he was no longer interested in the West Indies captaincy and preferred T20 to Test cricket, stating, “there’s a possibility I might give [Test cricket] up – I will be giving it up, shortly.” To compound matters, he had arrived from the Indian Premier League in South Africa just two days before the First Test and then put in a lacklustre performance as player and captain.
The Trinidadian commentator, Fazeer Mohammed, had voiced the view of many in the region that, if that was how Mr Gayle felt, then he “should do West Indies cricket a favour” and step down. The WICB, for its part, accepted Mr Gayle’s unconvincing retraction, instead of sacking him after the ill-fated series and looking to rebuild under a more committed leader such as Dwayne Bravo.
Ironically, however, Mr Bravo, 27, as effervescent a cricketer as any to play for the West Indies, may have also prematurely called time on his international career of only 37 Tests and 107 ODIs, in which he has not done full justice to his natural all-round ability and competitive instincts.
Mr Bravo and the 23-year old Kieron Pollard did not even appear to think twice about the WICB contracts, turning them down immediately, although they both rather confusingly stated their continuing commitment to West Indies cricket. Mr Bravo is arguably the greater loss. Mr Pollard, famed for his six-hitting pyrotechnics, has appeared in more T20 games than in any other format and has not played Test cricket, having done little to suggest that he is technically and temperamentally suited to the longer, more exacting version of the game.
Whether one takes the attitude of ‘good luck’ or ‘good riddance’ to the three free agents, urgent action is required of the WICB, not generally known as a bastion of good governance, managerial competence or transparency. To its credit, the WICB has commissioned a study on the changing face of cricket, with a view to adjusting to the new dynamics of the market. The Board’s St Lucian CEO, Dr Ernest Hilaire, has promised “fundamental changes to how West Indies cricket is managed” and has also said that the WICB is re-evaluating its policy of issuing no-objection certificates for players to appear in extra-regional tournaments, leading to speculation that the trio might not be cleared to play in Australia’s Big Bash T20 tournament. Dr Hilaire has reportedly said, “There seems to be a thinking out there – and I’m not sure who has advised them – that they don’t have to sign central contracts and they can still play wherever they want… The rules of international cricket do not exactly allow for this.”
It will now be interesting to see whether the West Indies Players’ Association takes up arms on behalf of those who are, for all intents and purposes, mercenaries. Notwithstanding the culpability of successive boards in the tragic decline of the regional game, this is not the time for the continuation of the internecine war between the WICB and the WIPA that has brought West Indies cricket to its knees.
Clearly, the WICB has to find a better way to manage the human resources at its disposal in order to satisfy the changing demands of both players and fans. But to be fair to the WICB, if it is investing in developing and nurturing talent, it should be allowed to expect a reasonable return on its investment via mutually acceptable contracts between board and players.