Desmond Haynes’s vision for CWI must be celebrated

Dear Editor,
Because West Indies Cricket (CWI) has been under attack for such a long time, one cannot help but give credit to the new Chief of Selectors of Cricket West Indies, Mr. Desmond Haynes, for announcing a new vision.
In business, we encourage our management staff to celebrate success, even the little ones. It is common practice for management to celebrate “wins”, as this strategy reinforces various aims toward further success.
In Mr. Haynes’s case, I wish to bring attention to what I consider a “new vision”. You would recall that I have been critical of CWI’s imperfections, including a need for new vision, new strategy, goals and objectives. In a recent interview, Mr. Haynes announced what I consider refreshing changes to the vision and strategy of CWI.
Yes, Desi, after decades of secrecy, I welcome your effort to be open and transparent with your vision, policy and strategy. Although this would be a widespread policy and operations strategy, I believe this openness could be the catalyst for those changes.
Knowing his opponents in the organisation would question his strategy, Mr Haynes was careful to note that “we are not changing policies, just exploring all avenues, given our limited pool of cricketers”. I believe Mr. Haynes hit that one straight to Roger Harper, who has been the recent Chief Selector. Mr Haynes pointed out a flaw in the previous administration, which adopted strategies from top playing nations only to find that those strategies did not work, nor could they have worked, for the Caribbean.
Specifically, Mr Haynes pointed out that “we are not India, who has 1.2 billion people” to select from. He was pointing out that CWI adopted those strategies but did not take into consideration the limited “pool” of cricketers the Caribbean has. Well done, Mr Haynes! I sincerely appreciate your bravery to point out that we have been failing because we have been playing ‘copycats’. We are incapable of doing what India and others have done to improve their brand.
I consider Mr Haynes’s proposed strategy as a “win” which must be celebrated. It’s a departure from doing things the same way and expecting different results. I would add that this new vision Haynes announced would bring new trust in players who have been discarded recently by Roger Harper. For example, you would recall how poorly Roger Harper treated Kieran Powell of the Leeward Islands.
I recall Powell, in a press conference, stating that he had scored the most runs in the local competitions, and was confounded by his omission from the West Indies squad. Powell indicated that following his omission, there was ZERO communication from Harper’s office, explaining the omission and indicating what needs to be improved, and what measures must be taken for Powell to regain consideration.
Recognising that “unfairness and sheer lunacy (were) at the helm, Desmond Haynes pointed that his vision is to deliver “fairness and professionalism” for players and the public. I see this as another straight drive down the ground to Roger and the CWI administration, that communications would be a priority. Yes, we devoted time and resources towards developing Kieran Powell.
Why should we discard these players, making our “selection pool” even smaller?
Congratulations, Mr Haynes! many of us wondered why Kemar Roach was not in the picture. And best of luck in bringing back players like Powell. Our pool is so small, but we had no idea. Well done, Desi!

With regards,
Gopaul S Rampersaud
Chapel Hill NC
USA