Dear Editor,
After their actions the members of the WICB have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that they are human after all. They had said earlier that there would be no recriminations (in relation to the players and the aborted India trip) and I had not believed them. In a letter to SN on September 10 I said: “We do know that there will be recriminations, because human frailties must vent. It’s expected.” And the champions of West Indies cricket the WICB did not disappoint. Since Mr Patel of the BBCI was present (trying to do Cameron’s job), he made it abundantly clear that the debacle, now known as the WI retreat, was the sole responsibility of the WICB. Consequently two senior and invaluable players are sidelined, while Cameron and his cohorts continue to get the opportunity to pronounce on WI cricket.
Attorney Anthony Thomas, representing Dwayne Bravo, has blasted the WICB for “reneging on their promise to provide a joint statement on current affairs,” and he labelled their actions as retaliatory. In the Trinidad Express of December 25, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves pointedly accused the WICB of discrimination. At the October 31 meeting in Port of Spain called on behalf of Caricom the PM noted to Cameron, “that the meeting arrived at several conclusions or agreements. One of these was a solemn understanding by the WICB through you that none of the ‘India 14’ would victimized, or discriminated against for the tour’s premature ending.”
“It is quite evident,” said the PM, “to all objective observers that the WICB has dishonoured that understanding, for at the end of the day, you and the WICB are responsible for the farce which is injurious to West Indies cricket.” He asked for “a reasonable corrective.” Cameron pleaded innocent, as far as selecting the team was concerned; “I did not select the team.” I guess he had no influence either. Mr Mahabir, Trinidad director on the WICB, said in the Trinidad Express, when questioned about the composition of the Jason Taylor led squad, “what we were asked to do, was to approve a change in captaincy, you would have seen Mr Lloyd’s justifications, and the board approved it.” I am always surprised by the way people can be bought so easily, but as they said in All the Presidents Men, just follow the money. Clive Lloyd, remember him? had tried to assist this government in taking over the local cricket board. He of chief selector fame, moaned on Carib Vision radio, “how he spoke with the players, trying to make them understand, what they were planning to do was wrong.” Never once in that interview did he mention speaking to Cameron. Surely upset that the players did not heed his advice, chief selector Lloyd dropped the other shoe, axing Bravo as captain. Based upon Mr Mahabir’s statement, everyone knows that Lloyd was instrumental in the firing of Dwayne Bravo. His reason was a need for a new beginning. Following that, his expose on the present and coming exploits of Jason Holder sounded like the second coming of Frank Worrell. In reality a youth has been tossed into the deep end of the pool, to assuage egos. Dr Beckles’ twenty dollar bill is still be auctioned.
Maybe this is lost on a number of persons, but the West Indies cricketers generate their own income by playing cricket, (because people pay money to see them play). The WICB manages the income generated by the players, and pays themselves and the players out of that same income. The WICB arranges contests, travel, etc, etc, and gets involved in all the other excesses to make themselves feel relevant.
Yours faithfully,
Milton Bruce
