In case you missed it, Cricket West Indies' (CWI) hierarchy has sent out a summary list of their first-year achievements for public viewing based on their 10 point plan when the administration assumed office. Overall, I would give them a mark of 8 out of 10. It will be difficult to go through each aspect of their 10 point plan, so let us look at a few positives and negatives with West Indies cricket since their tenure began.
Let's start with the World Cup in 2019 when they had just assumed office. I wrote in my weekly column a little over a year ago on April 11th, 2019, “the thought process by many (and I understand that could be the plan of the new hierarchy) is the hiring of a regional coach to replace Richard Pybus”. I felt then, and I still do believe it was a mistake to replace Pybus. I gave my reasons why I felt Pybus should have been retained and poor Floyd Reifer had absolutely nothing to gain from taking over the team for the 2019 World Cup in the UK and the home series vs India in August - one month following the Windies' exit from the World Cup.
As fate would have it, both those series were a disaster but I could understand the pressure CWI President Ricky Skerritt and his associates were under. Here were the new kids on the block with promises to transform West Indies cricket, not just on the field, but off it. The opportunity was then ripe to ring in some changes especially concerning Richard Pybus as very few people in the Caribbean cricket fraternity agreed with his appointment.
Selectors were also shown the door much to the annoyance of the incumbents who threatened legal action among other things. Again, there was not much controversy with the parting of those selectors as many cricket fans also felt they were not doing a particularly good job. Selecting a new team was relatively easier but they could not make wholesale changes as time did not permit. In essence, the West Indies had to stick with most of the old brigade in terms of players. Thankfully, as we have moved along this has also changed and they did promise that the playing field would be levelled and every cricketer gave a fair chance to represent the West Indies.
The appointments of Phil Simmons and Kieron Pollard to chart the way forward for our white-ball cricket has been a remarkable masterstroke. It is a work in progress and I have no doubt things will turn around. It is a pity that this pandemic has come at this time as it has halted some of the work planned by 'Simmo' and 'Polly'.
When it comes to our test team, some bold steps are necessary. I am unsure what the selectors learned from the recently concluded regional series but although I have high regard for Jason Holder, he must display greater aggressiveness and flair as a leader. We need a Pollard type leading our test team and unless Holder can fit the bill, then we must look elsewhere. The selectors also need to throw high-quality players with potential into the mix. I keep advocating for Nicholas Pooran - a talent that cannot go unnoticed. He must be given a chance at test level and I cannot think of any just reason to deny him an opportunity. I draw the example of David Warner and his transformation from being a T20 player into a great test batsman. Didn't the Aussies take a chance with him?
Though they revamped the system of team selections for the better and have become more transparent, by and large, the selectors have done a fair job. They must now take the next step which involves making bold decisions and selecting players who are exciting, disciplined, mentally tough and willing to give their hearts on the field for West Indies cricket.
Another plus is the repair of fractured stakeholder relationships. From players, legends, regional governments, former coaches and fans, it is there for all to see and people are beginning to smile again on the topic of West Indies cricket. I would like to see more of our legends being used in different capacities - mentorship, coaching, managers or advisors. Our Under-19 World Cup team with say Viv Richards or Andy Roberts there with them - who knows what a difference that could have been.
But I am hopeful moving forward to receive more communication from CWI. The cricket-loving members of the Caribbean often cry out for information; they want to know more about our young, emerging players and unfortunately, at times it is woefully inaccessible. As a suggestion, revamp the windiescricket.com page and get it going at a more advanced level; include major stats of all players, which island they hail from, etc. Surely CWI staff is big enough to do this.
Emphasis must also be placed on the territorial boards and their development programmes and I am not writing from a youth perspective, but a competition perspective. We need to channel importance regionally on the longer format of the game and the entire scheduling of competitions by the territorial boards must be overhauled.
The second-year ahead will certainly be difficult but achievable for Skerritt and his Vice-President Dr Kishore Shallow. They have their work cut out and important to remember is they have stakeholders who voted for them and would now be calling and in some cases already called on them with a tiny reminder in their ears, “hey we voted for you”. They will of course now want a favour, but it is how strong they are to say no that they will be judged on, especially if it will not lead to sustainable improvements in our cricket.
It may take some time, but I look forward to West Indies cricket moving up the rankings - presently the West Indies sits in position numbers 8, 9 and 10 in test cricket, ODI and T20 rankings respectively. But, as they say, slow and steady wins the race.
Editor's note:
The views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and do not reflect the views of any organisation of which he is a stakeholder.