IF A CRICKET PITCH is not up to a set and recognised standard for playing the game at the highest level, then not only the pitch should be criticised but the persons who are ultimately responsible for the preparation should be reprimanded.
It is a symptom and sad reflection of the type of leadership throughout the region where there is apparent wholesale buy-in of foreign and unsuitable methods and ideologies employed to solve the enchorial difficulties and challenges we face.
We not only have a problem with the type of pitches we prepare, but we seem to derive some strange satisfaction from the non-native coaches we employ.
During the longest successful period of West Indies cricket under Clive Lloyd and Vivian Richards, the unbeatable formula of a four-prong pace attack was implemented.
Since then, someone has been successful in getting our cricket selectors to abandon a winning formula in conjunction with the preparation of flat, easy-paced and unresponsive pitches that are the heartbreak of fast bowlers.
Furthermore, during that period, pitches throughout the Caribbean were renowned for being fast and full of life, the only exception being Bourda, Guyana, and we were able to soundly beat our opponents.
The strength of West Indies bowling over the years has historically been in the fast bowling department and not slow bowling. Therefore it makes good sense to prepare hard, fast pitches with a four-pronged pace attack on home turf(s) whenever possible.
In contrast, the bowling strength of the Asian cricketing countries is in their spinners and slow bowling department which is adequately supplied with those types of bowlers who enjoy bowling on pitches especially prepared to accommodate them.
Caribbean people must stop shooting themselves in the foot, making it easy for our opponents to succeed.
– MICHAEL RAY
