The international test landscape is in a state of change with the departure of great players and the consequent decline of a mighty team.
The retention of the Ashes by England and their likely series victory in such an emphatic manner marks the end of the “Australian era”.
World cricket is now embarking on a new decade with England emerging as the team of the future, India with an ageing team facing a transition and the Aussies trying to regroup to move forward.
SA just seeming unable to make the step to the top. In addition we are seeing the end of a great batsman in Ricky Ponting, the retirement of Sachin cannot be far off and Kallis is probably in a similar position.
So great players will soon move on. Cricket faces other challenges with the need to revitalize test cricket, the continuing problem of match fixing and betting and the emergence of private 20-20 competitions increasing pressure on the best players.
There is a lot of consensus that the current international schedule is too packed and the IC must reduce the number of ODIs and 20-20 matches to allow time for players to recover and maintain fitness.
WI cricket struggled badly in the last decade riveted by insularity, administrative incompetence prior to President Hunte and CEO Ernest Hilaire and WIPA and the senior players having a mercenary attitude towards money and less focus on developing the WI cricket. There is no doubt that the WIPA has every right to exist as a trade union for the players, but it must become more transparent and the democratic in structure. They must become also concerned about the performance of our players and not just playing for better payment.
As we enter the next decade there are a few “greenshoots” of progress that must be built upon. The introduction of retainer contracts for senior and developmental players and now extended to the women’s team. The HPC at UWI stands out as the focal point for cricket debelopment but that must be supported but progress at the club, youth and national levels.
We must always remember that institutions built in small, middle income islands will never have the facilities of rich countries but that does mean they cannot be outstanding centers. The revival of A team tours provides emerging players with vital experience in alien conditions against quality opposition. Equally important is the return of international teams to our domestic competitions as this will help lift standards.
The establishment of a WICB 20-20 competition with international TV coverage to promote the Caribbean game. Our senior team is being fundamentally restructured by introducing “fresh leadership” with leaders – Sammy and Nash – whose love of the game is obvious and their commitment to their team total. Change was created by circumstances with Gayle and Bravo opting to not sign retainer contracts to allow themselves the flexibility to play for teams in other parts of the cricketing world.
This was a decision based on finance. Individuals are free to make these decisions but it says to all that they also want to be free of the responsibility and total commitment that effective leadership demands. Coach Gibson a WI professional has begun to quietly reshape the team’s culture going for committed, disciplined leadership over our most talented but less dedicated players.
This is the right choice as our team needs the right guidance in the inculcation of core values of hard work, practice, preparation, pride of country and love of the game. All good teams have such values andd we should know as we jave had great teams. We must now continue the dynamic we have started and move ahead with a new core of youth – Darren Bravo, Barath, Roach, Russell together with the experience and maturity of Sammy, Nash, Chanderpaul and I would also say Sarwan who we hope has seen the errors he has made.
Gayle, Bravo and Pollard face uncertain WI careers but that is their choice. Others like Edwards and Taylor need to show in 2011 the fitness and performance to make an irresistible case to consider the “old guard” again. We are at rock bottom but with a continued effort to set standards and apply them consistently, a more committed and focused leaership and the emergence of some promising WI cricket may yet regain the respect and support of Caribbean people.
