THE CLOBI Cup has been nothing but a resounding success.
For the second successive year, we have been treated to a trip down memory lane with a galaxy of former cricket stars.
Curtly Ambrose has lost nothing. At age 47, the beanpole fast bowler still knows how to perfect the art of consistently pitching the ball on or about off stump.
Carl Hooper still looks a class act even if he continues to deceive.
For four nights, Kensington Oval hosted crowds of close to 5,000 who would have enjoyed every minute of it.
Apart from again underlining that Barbadians are hungry for regular night cricket, it has also now brought the master’s game more into the limelight.
Judging from the success of this event, there is no doubt that it has potential to grow even further.
If in time organisers can move from four to eight teams, the tournament could have the billing of an unofficial masters World Cup.
It is already on television screens across the region and the possibility of international coverage and significant revenue from television rights isn’t too far off.
In short, therefore, the CLOBI Cup is here to stay and Cricket Legends of Barbados Inc must been given credit for the initiative.
As we move forward, however, I have one concern and it surrounds the selection of the West Indies team.
In light of the success of the first two tournaments and as it moves to a stage where there could be attractive financial gain for players, it is more than likely that several Over-35 former international cricketers might have an interest in wanting to play.
As I understand it, already there have been grumblings among some players who felt aggrieved that they were not considered for selection.
Who could blame them if there is a reported appearance fee of $10 000 plus $100 000 to be shared among the players on the champion team.
In the absence of no established criteria for selection, it opens the doors for some to question how the final squad was arrived at.
It is no surprise that those from Trinidad and Tobago are at a lost over why none of their countrymen was in the West Indies team.
Outside of the 14 who were picked for this tournament, I can identify at least 20 others around the Caribbean who could have been in contention for selection.
Some of the names include Roger Harper, Gus Logie, Mervyn Dillon, Dinanath Ramnarine, Reon King, Adam Sanford, Roland Holder, Philo Wallace, Carlisle Best, Thelston Payne, Phil Simmons, Ezra Moseley, Ridley Jacobs, Robert Samuels Franklyn Rose, Nixon McLean, Keith Arthurton and so on.
Some of the obvious questions that will have to be considered before picking them is the players’ current levels of fitness and if they are still actively involved in the game.
While it is appreciated that the popularity of some players will make them virtual automatic selections, there will come a time when he have to look past that if all of the contenders are to be on level ground.
One of the ways to do so is to introduce a regional masters competition from which the West Indies team is selected.
Lack of financial resources may delay such a move in the immediate future but it should be in place years down the road when there should also be a West Indies Masters Association.
It does not have to a lengthy tournament but its presence will add more credibility to the selection of the West Indies team.
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