Harper: 'Club Cricket is Our Bed-rock'
Tue, Feb 3, '04
Roger Harper was the main speaker at the Third Annual Award Ceremony of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), which was held on the 20th December last. Fluently, he made his case for an improvement for West Indies cricket. He detailed several elements which could ensure that this would happen, but in particular he specified the need for an improvement in the game at the club level; "the bedrock of West Indies Cricket."
A study of the revival and development of cricket in such countries as Australia, India and Sri lanka, to name a few, would show that there is a nexus between the knowledge gleaned from the examples of other successful countries, a willingness to listen to those who have played the game at the highest level and a determination to implement programmes and plans based on such knowledge and advice.
It is no secret that the domination of Test Cricket by the West Indies provoked a reaction, especially in Australia. Among other things, the Australian cricket community listened particularly to the advice of their ex-players as to how West Indian cricket could be conquered.
The West Indies is in the throes of a prolonged slump. Yet, I do not see any great urgency on the part of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) or those who are influential members of the cricketing community of this region either to listen with seriousness to the pronouncements of our ex-players or take the appropriate action on the advice that they offer.
It is in this context and against this background that I find it a matter of great regret that the speech given by Roger Harper, the former Test cricketer and Manager of the West Indies senior team, received very little attention in the local and regional press. It is all the more regrettable because, as I shall show, Roger Harper had important things to say about what must be done to improve cricket at the local, regional and Test levels.
Roger Harper began his presentation by advising the young cricketers in the audience to set goals "not just in terms of what you want to achieve or what is called the outcome of goals, but also in terms of how you are going to do it - these are the process goals." Only hard work and application would ensure accomplishment and success. Success in cricket could only come from the virtues of discipline, a work ethic and knowledge. The former Test player and exceptional fielder told his audience that he knew that success for a number of the young players meant representing the West Indies. But such success is not guaranteed by mere talent. It had to be complemented by hard work.
Discipline entailed maximum preparation and being equipped to give one's best. In this context, Harper said "if you don't give your best in preparing then you are not giving your best in matches." It also meant being punctual, "appropriately dressed," observing the regulations, sticking to team plans and "having respect for those in authority and respect for the opposition." An appropriate work ethic would ensure that players would at all times do their best in matches, work hard at practice and the general improvement of their game. Knowledge, according to the former Guyana captain, meant understanding the game, its laws, its history.
Referring to the state of the game, Harper said that it had "declined quite a bit." What was required to improve it was to deal with the central consideration of retaining the best players in the country who would ordinarily go overseas. This is important as the retention of these players could help in improving the quality of First Division Cricket.
The standard of the game is a responsibility of the Boards, Associations, Clubs and players. The Clubs must seek to facilitate the development of players and the Associations and Boards must pursue the question of improving the standard of the game "at the very base, the grassroots and its constituency." In this regard, these entities have an obligation to detail and unveil their plans as to how they are going to effect that improvement to the clubs to which they are responsible. Accordingly, Harper tendered his congratulations to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), which gave an idea of its plans for cricket for this year at its Annual Award Ceremony.
Harper advised that unless the standard of Club Cricket returns to the levels of the past, the objectives of the "stakeholders" to improve the game will not happen. "What we must remember is that Club Cricket is the bed-rock of West Indies Cricket." If standards are low, then the region will experience great difficulty in producing quality players. If the Region does not produce quality players, the West Indies Team will not be "consistently competitive."
But Harper did not only concentrate on how the game should be improved. He also referred to what should not be done. Harper took sharp issue with the question of "sledging" and urged captains "to stamp out this abusive behaviour instantly." Harper cited the example of the great Fred Wills prizing a batsman out by the use of subtle but very effective language.
Roger Harper's presentation was witty, well delivered and relevant. It was appreciated by a large audience, which included senior members of the D.C.C. and serious supporters of cricket in Guyana because it resonated with the needs and requirements for an improvement in the standard of cricket in Guyana and the region; an improvement that can only be beneficial to West Indies Cricket.