DOES WEST INDIES CRICKET FACE DEATH?

On Monday, September 26, I watched Trinidad and Tobago play their hearts out in a losing cause to the Mumbai Indians in the T20 Champions League. After being bowled out for 98 runs in their turn at bat, the Trinidadians fought so bravely Mumbai must have felt like they were chasing 980 runs.

Mumbai toiled in their quest to get the 99 runs required for victory and only managed to get there off the very last ball of their 20 overs after wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin missed a run-out opportunity that would have given Trinidad a remarkable victory. It wasn’t to be because after playing with such fire and grit Trinidad were left to rue what might have been. As the Mumbai players ran off in celebration, several of the Trinidadians lay face down on the field, their faces buried in the grass and in their hands, the chests heaving as if they were crying. Others hung their heads in despair, the souls hurting over the loss that could have so easily been a sweet and incredible victory.

Mumbai captain Harbajhan Singh said it afterwards; Trinidad deserved the victory. They may have deserved it but fate had the final say. But when you look at this Trinidad team over the past few years this is how they play. Once they don their red uniforms Darren Ganga and his band of cricketers play with a kind of passion rarely seen when some of these same players wear the maroon and gold of the West Indies.

We also see that kind of spirit from Jamaica, who has won the regional four-day competition six out of the last 10 years. Under the leadership of Tamar Lambert (for the most part) Jamaica plays with a singular focus and will that generally overcomes all that is put before them. We have also seen similar fight from the Windward Islands, the team that was usuallly the whipping boys of regional cricket.

Why is it then that we don’t see that kind of fight when these same players turn out to represent the West Indies? It could be that the players – young and old – are tired of the seemingly endless war of attrition between the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), maybe it is that they just don’t that spirit of teamwork playing for the West Indies. Maybe they’re just tired of playing for a team that nobody seems to care about anymore.

Let’s face it, cricket in the region is dying. The sport no longer pulls people out of their homes and into the seats at the many cricket venues across the region. The sport can barely attract sponsors. The regional tournaments have no sponsors and one can only wonder how long it will be before Digicel finds a better way to spend the US$20 million it has committed to an organization that over the past few years has come to be known more for its bickering than for winning.

It was only a few years ago that former West Indies wicketkeeper Derrick Murray, now an administrator in Trinidad, suggested that Trinidad make a move to go it alone as an independent cricketing nation. Just recently, sports columnist Hartley Anderson made a similar call for Jamaica to go it alone as well. In part, his call has come against the background of the ongoing impasse between the WICB and hard-hitting opener Chris Gayle. Gayle has not played Test cricket for more than 10 months now and there are no signs he willl be included in the West Indies test set up anytime in the immediate future. This, despite the fact that he is one of the world’s most exciting batsmen and at 32, still a powerful force opening for the Caribbean team.

However, getting International Cricket Council recognition doesn’t immediately solve the problem. For all the vim and vigour Trinidad has demonstrated, it would be foolhardy to believe that they can take on the mighty Australians, England, and South Africa with any degree of success. The same can be said of Jamaica. Those teams have far better resources, facilities and management than we do here in the region. It would take many years of being battered for us to get the message that there are just not enough of us to produce the kind of quality cricketers that would make it worth the while to go it on our own. For the time being the answer still lies with the West Indies, but for the West Indies to survive, the bickering has to stop, the madness must become a thing of the past. More importantly, for cricket to matter anymore, the West Indies need to start winning and soon.

This cannot be a process that is going to take another generation to achieve results. Kids these days have video games to distract themselves with as well as other sports – track and field and football – that have yielded far better results and much less drama than cricket has over the past decade.

Notwithstanding the territorial teams doing well on their own – the key will be to get the players playing with the same passion they do for their countries for the West Indies. Passion is infectious and if the players can do that and get the odd win more often than not, then maybe there is a chance Windies cricket can survive. If not, cricket will go the way of the Do-Do bird; never to be seen again.

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20 Responses to “DOES WEST INDIES CRICKET FACE DEATH?”

Peter says:

September 28, 2011 at 6:01 pm

Of course it will take years of development for the independent nations comprising the English-speaking West Indies to come to the fore. Many are blinkered by the period of ascendancy the West had in world cricket, conveniently forgetting the years when the region produced some stars but no consistent series wins. It is time to cast off the relics of territorial amalgamation and perform as free nations , eschewing the “sheep huddle” comfort of nostalgia. RIGHT NOW Jamaica alone can galvanise the world Olympics in the glamour events of sprints that England, Australia, and England COMBINED would be unable to . So talk of “they have better facilities than we do”, or “they are bigger than little us” is just another sheep huddle in my opinion. We need a professional approach to the game.
Devon L Wilson says:

September 29, 2011 at 7:38 am

I fully agree with Peter: Was it not the same little Jamaica that brought home most of the Golds in track and field! What does size hath With determination and ambition?

I say, if the WICB will not clean up her folly grounds, the stronger regional nations like Jamaica and Trinidad should become a criketing nation on their own!

Maybe one way to this, as they become a cricketing nation they can even bring in good players from the small regional islands that are good at the game.

We are one people! collaboration is a part of our fabric. Never the less I abhor everything about the WICB, and what it stands for! Colonial way of leadership devoid of vision and alacrity.
Dreama says:

September 29, 2011 at 8:30 am

The worse administration that the WICB ever had ran unopposed, Where were the concerns then? The President, the CEO, the Claptain and the majority of upper management are vindictive mental midgets, where are the protestations?

Load your team with talentless do boys because you were losing any way, and give your self four years to fill your pockets is the goal, not improvements. I am so sick of WI cricket I haven’t watch any cricket in almost a year

Dreama
Pelico says:

September 29, 2011 at 12:15 pm

You have noted the importance of leadership of both Trinidad and Jamaica in your mention of Lambert and Ganga and I believe that is the difference. I’m not sure the WI team has had a leader in the past many years that is willing to work in conjunction with the coach and administration (for whatever reasons)to build a winning unit. We have had great players as captains but I’m not sure they were leading the team in the right direction…results have shown that. I don’t think they have “wanted it” enough. Let us see where Sammy takes us
errol mcintosh says:

September 29, 2011 at 2:58 pm

I think that jamaica should form there own test cricket team in light of the way chris gayle has been treated by the west indies selectors .
Vaga says:

September 30, 2011 at 8:09 am

Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision the people perish…
The WICB with its Stakeholders and management has no vision as far as I am concerned.Genelemen, Ladies I assure you that everyone can see what the selecttion of Mr Sammy does to the team… it disrupts the whole fibre of the team. Is Mr Sammy the best ‘all arounder’ that is available to the West Indies. I say no, Dwayne Bravo must be in the West Indies line up. Sammy could not get a game on a Jamaica, Trinidad,Guyana,or Barbados team yet he is the Captain of the West Indies team all versions… this is ridiculous folks.
Lets turn to the Chris Gayle’s saga the WICB named its team to tour Bangladesh etc there were notable absentees. The Board declared that it would make a statement later concerning Chris Gayle,why not make your statement at the same time when the teams are selected….. there is no transparency. As a matter of fact we the cricketing public have not heard a word as to what is going on.In the mean we are being represented by cricketers who are not ready. I would say to every one the game of cricket is bigger than alll of us.
Whatever the situations are let us sort them out. For the West Indies team, Gayle, Dwayne Bravo,Pollard,Sarwan,Samuels,Simmonds,Ramdin/Baugh should form the nucleus of all format of the game …..yes pick the bowlers and the rest for me.
Thanks!!!
sydne says:

September 30, 2011 at 2:13 pm

After reading some of the post is there any question that insularity is ruining cricket in the Caribbean?
I think for one the writer needs to be more provocative in his thoughts and look at the history of what is going on. For too long the prisoners has been running the asylum, the selfishness is alarming.
In the case of Gayle, he nees to grow up and be a man and stop acting like a spoiled child. If you work for a company you adhere to the policy of the company. Living in the USA it is clear that sportsmen in the Caribbean have the misconception that the game cant go on with out them. Take a look at life, changes come and life goes on we need to be more pridefull in being West Indians and less of what island we are from. As the Calypsonians say, one people, one race, take pride in who we are and things will start to change
Thanks
aljhn says:

October 1, 2011 at 10:00 am

It is probably looking death in the face, but it will recover, the rate of recovery will depend on those who are in authority and their commitment to the game. The leadership needs wisdom, wisdom, and good sense. West Indies Cricket does not need egomaniacs and profilers. There is a sense that position are jockeyed for just for prestige and there is no real commitment to the development of the game. It’s best to get rid of the profilers and put in competent committed lovers of the game. All the best.
Richard Edwards says:

October 2, 2011 at 9:25 am

I think winning cricket matches at the international level, takes more than just commitment, the players have to posess the requiste skill sets as well. I humbly believe that in order to prevent the total death of west indies cricket, our best 11 players should be representing us at all times-gayle,bravo and sarwan are three of our best!
Andre says:

October 4, 2011 at 10:52 am

This is the best thing for W.I. is to separate themselves becoming independent cricket nations with their own views and perspectives. It is clear to me that there is a sense of prejudice towards Jamaica. Even though we came to the West Indies as slaves and we where separated in these little islands and clearly we are far from being one and united.
If we hadn’t already, as people in the Carbbean, become united then its far-fetched. There are some us that believe that things should run as they see fit notwithstanding the view of the people,the people, who I believe have the final say in any democratic decision in any democratic society.
It is the duty of those in charge of that organization to find ways to settle quickly any differences and please the people. I will finish by saying I love the game of cricket and desperately want to see W.I. on top of the world once again. It is sad knowing where were coming from as a cricketing nation to this is and those responsible should be held accountable.
0WEN says:

October 8, 2011 at 11:54 am

YES IT DOES SORT AND SIMPLY
Conrad says:

October 10, 2011 at 6:07 am

West Indies cricket is already dead. Jamaica should now go it alone.
Delroy says:

October 13, 2011 at 11:10 am

Jamaica should have been playing test cricket many years ago. I am sure Jamaica can beat Bangladesh

I agree with Peter wholehartedly
Alton says:

October 13, 2011 at 10:38 pm

When Otis & his board is done there will be no West Indies Team.

They are treating the “team” like toy.
They have no interest in the team and is treating it like a bread shop even bread shop is now running under some order now a days
Nostaw says:

October 15, 2011 at 10:31 am

West Indies cricket can never die. There is too much talent in the Caribbean for that to happen.The biggest problem with WI cricket is the Administration, they seems to have no clue as how to administrate the cricket.Die hard cricket fans like myself will know that WEST INDIES will be back at the top of world cricket in no time, as soon as we get rid of these idiots who call themselves administrators.
Charlemagne says:

October 17, 2011 at 1:53 pm

I was fortunate in being able to see and follow WI cricket in the years that we run things. Now that we are not world beaters I refuse to abandon the team, as it is my belief sooner than later we will be able to secure our rightful place among the other teams. Where as those former greats were blessed with natural talent, our present set of players just have the potential to become good and outstanding individuals at the sport and with the commitment, training and guidance by the former greats like Haynes,Walsh, Gibson, Richardson, ect and the establishment of the cricket academy in Barbados to mature the mind set, success is not far in coming to the WI team.
Messengjah says:

October 20, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Charlemagne:

You must be referring to Jamaica’s first native Anglican bishop, the late Bishop Percival William Gibson as great. Certainly the wannabee coach Gibson COULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED GREAT, not even if its curried goat cricket. Please don’t make such a reference again!
Desmond Dorman says:

October 27, 2011 at 9:51 am

I, Chrestopha Gayle, apologise to the West Indies Cricket Board for everything that I have been accused of. I am not a natural leader, so I apologise to the Board for being so clever as to fool every one of them, to the point that I got appointed and remained captain of the West Indies team for over three years.
I apologise to coach Gibson for sullying his coaching credentials, by not holding my bat like he instructed me to; not making the shots he told me to; not winning the matches he wanted me to, so that it would prove the success of his coaching abilities.
I apologise to Dr. and honourable professa Hilarry Bickles for being a rival don to the infamous Duddus. Had I not been a don like Duddus, the president‘s name would be left alone and he would serve out his time in peace. Now, when I play cricket everyone is saying, ‘yes, don’ and Duddus name come up all over again. And when they Google ‘don’ or Christ Gayle, they come up with Duddus and vice versa.
I apologise to Clive Lloyd, the West Indies former captain who lead the team to Kerry Packer’s rebel tour, who has told me to apologise, so that I can get back into the West Indies team. I am reliably informed that to get appointed as manager of the team once, Llyod had to apologise first. So, I apologise. I had hoped to emilate Mr. Llyod but I did not know that because I was not a natural born leader like him as well as I was out of order to carry a broader bat, part of the package was to apologise when it is demanded by the Board.
Finally, I apologise to Michael Holding for apologising. You see, Michael, I want to play for the West Indies. I want to break Brian Lara’s record, because it is the only one I have left to break. I want the West Indies to give a beating to Sri Lanka, Australia, England, India and Pakistan before I leave.
And by the way, I apologise for any spelling mistakes I have in this apologise, since I dotn have a ucivernity degree from Caveill, St. Augustine or Mona.
Now, can I get back into the team, please?
Alvin Stevenson says:

March 19, 2012 at 9:51 am

This is a great article! Gayle is an outstanding player, Chanderpaul is amazing, and the likes of Bravo and Naraine is on the come up. But heres the problem, The West Indies Cricket Board itself is where the issues begin. Im not trying to compare the WI organizations with North America, but the fact of the matter is, they have Basketball, Football (Soccer), Hockey and Rugby all operating relatively solid with the lowest tolerance of interior bias within the camps or teams and finance decisions made properly to attain to the survival of the sports.
Why can’t the W.I. Cricket Board do the same, I mean come on its quite clear they would rather take losses by organizing batsman orders and “minimizing” on certain ethnic backgrounds of the team. The Board is getting money anyways, but at a time when the likes of Lara, Chanderpaul, Everton Weekes, Rohan Kanai, Malcolm Marshall to name a few were all playing in the heyday of the WI, what has happend? The organizaton then unified the team to help boost the WEST INDIES not just african, not just indian, THE WEST INDIES. And guess what, the West Indies, had more wins , more success, more sponsorships.
Its the goons from the board ruining things, not the people, the people is keeping it alive, but the board is not doing their job solemnly to keep the mainstay of the W.I. team operating properly.
llody-banton says:

March 23, 2012 at 3:31 pm

I am so disappointed that Chris Gayle is not playing on the West Indies Cricket team
If there is a problem with Chris Gayle it should be settle or resolve straight away, don’t the West Indies Cricket board have any dignity?
Why should we the West Indies Cricket
Supporter be losing out on Chris Gayle
one of the world best batmen.