Dear Editor,
The new chairman speaks:
“If you think you can travel around the world in jets, play twenty over cricket, and make enough money to set yourself up for life, you will represent the West Indies over my dead body.”
“Recognizing the financial disadvantages of players representing small countries … in international cricket, we will do whatever we can to have those countries in which our players can earn incomes that we cannot afford to pay, make the international schedule a key factor in scheduling their domestic twenty over cricket.”
These are undisclosed competing philosophies that are at play in the selection of West Indies cricketers to compete internationally. The “over my dead body” philosophy has triumphed during the period that the competition has existed. One would have thought that the WICB directors would have seen enough merit in the ‘accommodation’ philosophy to warrant some discussion and perhaps public input. They do not. It is most worrisome that they may have the support of the majority of fans.
The new chairman of selectors has explained his support for the “over-my dead body” philosophy by suggesting that West Indian cricketers (of whom he was one for several years) do not understand that “outstanding performance in first class cricket will be rewarded”, so he will make them understand. He would also remind them that “players are fully accountable for their performances”; this is surprising coming from a guy who has played so much cricket.
He also knows the sophisticated language of West Indian cricket politics very well:
“The methodology of selection will be further enhanced by the increased use of statistical analysis along with fitness standards. The players will be monitored closely for all regional and international competitions.” This will surprise all cricketers, no doubt.
Yours faithfully,
Romain Pitt
