A great amount of energy is being expended by the warring factions of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) to secure electoral advantages in the run-up to its elections.
Yet, if only a percentage of that energy was applied to properly equip the Guyana team for its defense of the West Indies T20 championship, the team would still been in the fray instead of on the outside looking in, as is the case now.
Guyana made an insipid attempt to repeat as champions and crashed out of the 2011 series, not because of what was done on the field, but rather, due to shortcomings off it.
A must-win performance against the Windward Islands ended in a narrow defeat that sealed Guyana’s fate in their final group game, which could have been avoided had the team’s management observed one basic requirement of the limited overs game.
The inexplicable decision to bat Derwin Christian at number nine immediately after he blasted the team to victory in the previous game against the Combined Colleges, was the final nail in the coffin that were preceded by other acts of ineptitude that began even before the team left Guyana for Antigua and Barbados.
It is not only logical, but automatic thinking that teams give their proven or in-form batsmen most of the opportunities to score from as many overs as possible. And, in repeating the said mistake which hurt Guyana, beginning at the IPL Champions League, the team’s failure in successive T20 competitions, makes its success at the 2010 CT20 a distant memory.
The two-run defeat to the Windwards on Tuesday has a deeper sting because Derwin Christian almost secured another blazing victory, batting from a tail ender’s position.
Had he been promoted four places up the order, the Windwards would have been history.
But thanks to the latest Don Quixote moment exhibited by the team’s decision makers, Guyana thought it to best to continue persisting with an out of touch Royston Crandon up the order, specifically at number five on Tuesday, where the powerful, clean hitting Christian should have entered the fray.
The said warped thinking has denied Jonathan Foo the opportunity to develop into a better batsman after he burst onto the scene with match winning performances last year.
He has been left marooned at number seven and lower for the second straight T20 competition when he needed more time in the middle to build an innings.
That was three months ago. If those decisions hurt the team’s chances, the GCB did nothing to boost confidence as some decisions gave the impression that the ruling body not interested in Guyana winning, prior to departure.
A one-man coaching team with the obligatory manager were all the players were given to support their campaign for an important title defence.
Despite winning more T20 money than any of the other regional teams, Guyana flew into Antigua like the poor relations of Caribbean T20 championship.
No attempt was made to improve or boost the team’s support staff, so vital to teams’ success in top flight competition.
It makes you wonder if anyone on the GCB ever heard of the first warning champions always take note of – that it is harder to stay on top than to get there.
A solitary coach without any support and medical personnel was an act of surrender, which did not go unnoticed by legendary ex West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh in the TV commentary box.
Despite being walloped in the Champions League and the WICB 50 overs championship and by the Trinidad A team prior to this tournament, a two-man management team was the best the GCB could come up with to whip Guyana into shape.
No wonder the signs of regression were evident from match one, when the batting lineup failed to overcome a meager 113-run target set by Jamaica.
You have to wonder if the said management team led by coach Ravindranauth Seeram believed in miracles by thinking that a mere two practice games, initiated by the Trinidad board, were enough to prepare Guyana for a major competition.
Why no concerted effort was made to whittle away the rust from the batsmen’s bats with more games even if it was against Rest teams before the squad left for Antigua is a mystery?
Rain is not an excuse because the National Stadium has proven its self weather proof, even in the worst of circumstances.
This inaction was a pitiful, weak display of team leadership that was embellished by the inability of the men in charge to force the GCB to provide anything more than a paper thin support staff lineup.
You cannot expect to field a team on the cheap and gain success.
The England Board took note a long time ago, and its team is now reaping the rewards.
Then there is the case of Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s aborted participation in the middle of the team’s campaign.
Management has much explaining to do to account for the player’s departure after the Antigua leg, because no mention was made of any extenuating circumstances of a family death or major illness or otherwise affecting him. If
Chanderpaul had informed management of his availability for only three games, from the beginning, then he should have been replaced, regardless of his stature.
Such ineffectiveness brings us to the issue of Roger Harper – the most accomplished of any Guyana coach, not being at the helm of this national team.
The emergence of T20 cricket and the rewards at stake for Regional teams have effectively ended the days of amateur team management.
Teams are now acquiring the best coaches and technical personnel, which cannot be had through volunteerism.
Which is why the GCB should be utilising the monetary rewards earned from the inception of its first Stanford Cup win in 2006 to the 2010 CT20, and Champions League, to give its team the best possible chance for continued success.
Harper has never stated publicly his unavailability to coach Guyana, so the GCB should have been going the extra mile to cut a deal to bring him on board.
Jamaica has hired Gus Logie and Jimmy Adams to handle their teams, Barbados has Desmond Haynes travelling with theirs, Trinidad and Tobago has a full staff.
It is no surprise those countries have all done better than Guyana this year.
Seeram has done his best, but it is clear he cannot take Guyana any further.
It is time the GCB says thanks to him and turn its attention to Harper.
