PHILIP AYOUNG-CHEE
OVER THE last five years and more, West Indies cricket has been in a slump. Small flickers of hope present themselves with many fanfares, only to be followed by dismal failure. It is quite apparent that the present administrators seem to have no solution to the problem.
The TT captain, after two consecutive losses in five matches, reportedly said his team is tired. This after the team had been in camp for more than a month. The manager reportedly said the team needs to become involved in non-cricket activities and played basketball the next day. The CEO stated that the team is more concerned about clothing, going home and financial remuneration, with little focus on cricket.
In summary, therefore, none of the TT cricketers are ready for West Indies Test cricket.
An American-run university in Grenada has now established a cricket academy for West Indies cricket. Three of the selectees declined to join the academy for the current session. It is rumoured they are more interested in being selected for the West Indies A side. It is expected that Cricket West Indies (CWI) will inform the three misguided youths that they are banned from all future selection. And one hopes that the CWI does possess that fortitude to make such a decision.
Before every tour, there is a two-week training camp. Yet many players are leaving the team with injuries. Performance is below par, except for the first match. After that, it is all downhill.
After a season of mediocre performances in five regional matches, Test cricketers are born. The regional season consists of a maximum of seven matches now, if one reaches the final. History will reveal that all of our past cricketers played in the English county league that consisted of over 23 four-day matches, with one-day matches in-between. It is thus quite apparent that our cricketers are lacking match practice and are also unfit.
Caricom, at the head of state level, has recognised the problem and has even formed a special committee on West Indies cricket. The University of the West Indies (UWI) has allowed an American-run university to establish the first cricket academy in the West Indies. In fact, the UWI has not established any sporting facility or programme to promote sport academics in the West Indies in its 50 years of existence. It is now safe to say that the US, as in other spheres of our life, control our sports. Disgusting!
Sport today is no longer confined to 'raw' talent. There are many aspects to being successful. There are physical, social, psychological, economic, nutritional and other aspects that have to be dealt with. The Australian cricket team underscores this point, sometimes travelling with its own cook. Substitute players for the Waugh twins, Warne and Gillespie, were instant successes at World Cup 2003. Even the substitute for another substitute Symmonds was a success.
So what are some of the solutions?
1. The regional season has to be longer than six or seven weeks. Home and away matches among the six traditional teams will
