Dear Editor,
I have noted with much anxiety and disbelief that the WI selectors have opted to radically shape what appears to be a team in transition, apparently in response to disgruntled Caribbean fans, including some of the WICB directors, who have publicly called for such changes including the sacking of some senior players after the World Cup debacle. I have written before that the manner in which the WI team prepared for the tournament, where the only major preparation was the ill-conceived 20/20 format in the Caribbean just prior to the World Cup, was unacceptable. The eventual World Cup champions India, had prepared one year in advance.
I can understand that for countries such as Australia, England or even South Africa, losing their quality senior players will not create a crises situation, since their nursery to tertiary foundation has been well constructed and their technical and institutional capabilities are strong. In Australia’s case, they cannot be blamed for already seeking the expertise of the now retired legend, Muttiah Murilitheran to conduct coaching clinics in the country, even with the presence of their own wizard Shane Warne. Not so in the Caribbean, as the individual territories seemed to be lagging behind administratively and even politically, hence the non-existence of a proper and sound strategic programme that can test the capability of our young cricketers before they are exposed internationally, and daily tutoring which can efficiently contribute towards a sustained high level of performance at the top. Therefore, our emotion though understandable, cannot substitute for rational scrutiny of our situation. If our cricket has been of a D-grade, then we have to be honest and accept it and plan diligently to improve our standard. I cannot see how a team as statistically poor as the West Indies, can compete without the likes of Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwain Bravo, when they have been our best players for a long time now and ironically any one of them could easily fit into an A-grade international team. The problem is with the system and not those players who have been made scapegoats for a ruinous philosophy on the part of the powers that be, who suppressed their guilt by anointing an average cricketer (Darren Sammy) who has been struggling to maintain a regular place in the team, but was then placed at the helm. (Is this a case of the Emperor’s new clothes?) The system has been cruelly exposed and mysteriously, there is the continuing isolation of our tried and successfully tested heroes, such as Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Andy Roberts to name a few, from any meaningful input in WI cricket. Instead, as a matter of priority and to show loyalty to the ICC, there is the significant appointment of a security manager in a region that bears no resemblance to a Libya, Pakistan or Sudan. I hope for the security of our future’s sake, that the appointment of professionally equipped support staff for the team, that needs a batting, bowling and fielding coach will be made soon.
If I can read the minds of the selectors, therefore, then the message that they are signalling is that they have become impatient with the senior players for their sporadic production. Caution is now being thrown to the wind, and I am not convinced that many of our young players who have now been selected have the gravity to remain on the ground, particularly from the sad evidence of our sub-standard regional tournament; an academy that will change recruits after only two years when the period should be longer; unsupervised cricketers who are contracted regionally; and Ottis Gibson’s failure so far to formulate a comprehensive coaching programme for the respective regions that should be used for guidance and followed by consistent monitoring and exchanges of ideas between the coaches. The selectors’ failure to recognize these relevant tools of measurement will result in the dancing of the team to musical chairs as occurred in the past with our wicketkeepers (Murray, Williams and Browne). The tune didn’t work then and it will not work now. There must be a systematic process in managing our scarce resources and therefore wholesale changes will prove detrimental to our cause, if we are to be guided by the ambitious vision of the WICB that proposed to take West Indies cricket to the top by 2015. It is indeed wishful thinking, but it could be realized with the careful and sincere collaboration of the WICB and the senior players (above-mentioned four) whose records stand admirably in comparison to most in the world.
May I suggest that the WICB in purposeful consultation with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, prepare a yearly working schedule for him from now on, where his international commitments can be monitored (reduce his one-day international duties due to his age) so that his illustrious Test career can be prolonged for a few more years. India has done it with Sachin Tendulkar. West Indies cricket simply does not have the luxury of the past, where our champion former players sacrificed tireless hours of practice and toiling labour and skill, and years of proven apprenticeship that made their transition to the next level almost seamless. Instead at present, even reserves in a school team (UWI) are being selected, which is not a healthy sign. Drastic changes will not enhance the reputation of WICB selectors as being astute planners and neither will it help so many young players at one time (including Sammy) to be in the WI team without the guidance of quality experience. Change is necessary, even if it takes decades to materialize, and I hope they succeed. But can the West Indies afford so many changes? The answer is no!
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
