Dear Editor,
The recent failure of the West Indies cricket team to qualify for the 2023 ICC ODI world cup in India later this year is a major disappointment for Caribbean fans and cricket enthusiasts around the world. From the winners of the inaugural tournament in 1975 then 1979 and runners-up in 1983, the West Indies cricket team has sunk to a new low after missing qualifications for the T20 world cup in 2022 and the recently concluded qualifier in Zimbabwe. The recent failures have exposed the imminent dangers of poor organisation and player management only to be rivalled by the advent of franchise cricket.
Many have felt that the West Indies Cricket Board over the years has not displayed its competence at managing the affairs of cricket. The current structure of island nations and Guyana having a representative on the Board who votes on a President has given rise to nepotism and incompetence. Selection of captains and coaches has not been about the personnel with the qualification and capability but what is the “best fit” for the Board. It has borne disappointing and shameful results as in the 2016 ICC T20 tournament, the team was without uniforms in the initial part of the tournament and eventually victors of a cliffhanger against England. The players, who represent the maroon are without innocence on the downward spiral of calypso cricket.
In the early 2000s, it became evident that player and Board relations were becoming more contentious. Players took to the media on numerous occasions criticising the inadequacies of management. Coupled with periodic strikes, most notably during the tour of India when a majority of players led by captain Dwayne Bravo went on strike for fair compensation for players on a tour of India in 2014.
The longstanding rifts between the players and the Board have caught the attention of past players and Caribbean leaders who have called on numerous occasions for players and board to come to a truce on the way forward to maximise the performance of the junior and senior teams. It is evident that in the era of franchise cricket, players have found it more lucrative and are more enthusiastic to play for non-national teams while neglecting the investment made to them by West Indies Cricket.
With a packed international calendar alongside domestic games and franchise leagues, the modern-day player is busy and overwhelmed. The COVID-19 pandemic has had its effects on players’ mental stability due to being isolated for weeks and sometimes months on tour. Many cricket Boards have offered support to the player’s services including sports psychologists and recreational activities to alleviate player exhaustion. The West Indies Cricket Board has been lacking the newer innovations in training, player support, and management which becomes evident when players take the field.
West Indies Players themselves have not adapted to the demands of professional cricket by investing in their own well-being like some of their counterparts in Australia, England, and India have. Mental toughness is not a regular feature as it was where players would quickly assess the conditions and play accordingly instead of giving away their wickets and runs in the field due to sloppy fielding, poor line of bowling, and field placements by the captain. Players unlike their counterparts from other parts of the world, have not prioritised playing for West Indies over domestic leagues for fast cash, which has led to bad cricketing habits that become a major hindrance to the longer formats and also international T20 cricket.
All is not lost for the once kings of cricket but the Board, players, and administrators must all play a part in a renewed effort to create sustainable initiatives that will see the rise of a once dominant and successful team in sports history. We welcome the past legends like Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, and Darren Sammy’s involvement in the current setup and would hope for others like Curtly Ambrose and Shivnarine Chanderpaul to be given an opportunity to translate their experiences to the younger future of West Indies cricket.
Thank You,
Collin Haynes MPH MBA
