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the desire, discipline, passion and talent West Indies cricket will not be going nowhere fast.

So do you guys remember when we were young, as little boys and even girls, we would rush home from school and do whatever task we had to so that we could go to the nearest open field and the cricket competition would start. Many players have honed their skills and become national and International players using this informal system as the starting point.

I will predict that until and unless we find individuals with the attributes above we will be struggling for a very very long time. The administrators can and MUST do their part by identifying the talent from an early age and channeling their energies into becoming the best they can be.

In the meantime, we can hope that some of these younger cricketers around, although underachieving, can rise above and grow quickly beyond where they are now so that they can be introduced into the team.

FR

In reply to ForReal

Welcome to this Forum .

However it pains me to tell you that YOU
aint For Real . Players can have all the attributes of
being a successful Cricketer ,
but if they do not get an opportunity to Harness ; Enhance & Hone their Skills in
ALL versions of the game . They are not
going to be fully competitive in the
International Cricket Arena .

You need to look at the Stats of Players on Teams that are ranked above our Team , and compare them to the Stats of Our Players . The disparity is unbelievable .

My reason for citing this , is due to the fact the weaknesses of our Players are continuously exposed in the longer versions of the game .
.
What are the weaknesses , Stamina - Mental & Physical . The ability to concentrate
for long periods ; in Batting ; Bowling & Fielding .The ability to forge fruitful
Partnerships ; the ability to pace an innings .

These weaknesses are not easily exposed
in the shortest version of the game , due to the short duration of those Matches .

ALL of the above can only be learned by playing a lot of Cricket in the three versions of the game at the Regional level ; which is the highest level of the game in the Region .

Now as far as I am aware , it is the WICB
that is empowered to set the schedules for matches at the Regional Level in all versions of the game . It is also
empowered to set the duration of matches & Camps .

In reply to ForReal

You know of any?

In reply to black

Of course.

We already have loyal captain Holder
Ultimate team man vice captain Samuels
Committed Sammy
Reformed Benn
Kiss de badge Roach
Comeback Taylor
Future captain Kraigg Brathwaite
Sobers clone Carlos Brathwaite
No Flaws Carter
Soldier Cotterell

More than enough to forge a new era of commitment, loyalty, and a winning attitude to the West Indies team. One that will make us all proud.

We've almost gotten rid of all the baggage that has held us back for so long. The rest will soon go.

In the interim, the righteous majority shall overcome the negativity of the evil minority. The management team and vice captain will squash any attempt to subvert the progress of the team.

It's already begun and will be manifest in a few days at the World Cup. Semis here we come!!!!!!!

In reply to imusic

How you angostura bitter so nuh.

In reply to imusic

Call me when they start winning

In reply to Commie

That's a quality product that is the best known and most sold item from the Caribbean in history.

Thank you.

In reply to black

I'll be sure to call you out against Ireland, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and UAE

In reply to ForReal

I hope that what I have stated would make you understand that the
people who must be strongly criticized are those in the governance of Cricket in the Region .

For many years they have shortchanged our Players , by not having them properly prepared to be fully competitive in the
International Cricket Arena .

They continuously bleat about not having any money ; but I have not heard about
any impediment that prevents them from
seeking Sponsors in the Region .

After the 2007 World Cup that was held in the Region . The WICB stated that it
returned 15 million dollars that it had borrowed ; from a Source or Sources .

Perhaps the WICB can again approach that Source or Sources , for a loan to make
our Players fully competitive . I have
no doubt , that our Players would in about
3 years start climbing the ladder in
International Cricket , and that the money
borrowed or loaned would be quickly recouped .

Now if the WICB fails to make our Players fully competitive , this would be a sign that keeping our Players uncompetitive is a strategy , designed to make our Players
be Scapegoats in perpetuity . While they
come out smelling like Roses .

My take is that engaging in such a Machiavellian strategy , must call for
ALL of them to resign from the governance
of Cricket in the Region for deliberately
sabotaging not only our Players , but the rich history of West Indies Cricket .

In reply to ForReal

You listed desire, discipline, passion in that order, then mentioned talent last.

That is the problem right there
And that's why we had Sammy for 5 years

And that's why we pick 20something average guys and allow a 30something average to retire

In reply to imusic

I know that. I endorse it and those who do PR for it

In reply to ForReal

Don't just blame the players, blame the infrastructure of the entire sport around the Caribbean.

I see that Commie has not commented on my first thread , he is generally critical of what I write , regarding the
WICB .

I do not think however that he would look kindly at my second thread ; but then WE
are all entitled to our Opinions , personally I enjoy his defense of the indefensible .

In reply to imusic

Whatever happened to West Indies diehard, win lose or draw?

You sound too bitter these days.

In reply to voiceofreason

Feel free to quote any of my posts that would indicate West Indies is not my team.

In reply to Halliwell

You know the ordering is just by coincidence but when you look at it...we have failed to manage the players we have properly, take Sarwan for example, there is no way someone like him should have been lost to West Indies cricket but we are now so mad with everyone about Dwayne bravo not being selected in the WC squad and also leaving Test Cricket....

Cricket/any other, must mean more than just earning, it's your job, otherwise you are going to be left out in the cold when someone has had enough.

In reply to ForReal

Unfortunately, no one could have done for Sarwan what Sarwan didn't want to do for himself.

In reply to imusic

Not a trini make your satirical team?

In reply to ProWI

Sarwan was messed with and unfortunately he couldn't handle it but what he needed was management! some persons do.

In reply to POINT

Do you think what is happening now (playing more matches and the regional players being paid a decent wage so they can focus permanently on cricket) will lead to our players getting better in time and to an improved international team?

In reply to POINT
You have to stop that; you have to get down to serious consideration of our West Indian history and the natural, adverse realities we face each day. The West Indies is not like England or India or South Africa and the others, single lands governed collectively. History has separated us into little fragments and dots, and has made us feel we are eachl different and superior to the others. Thus, today, you have dot telling dot that he is is a dot. That is the problem in our society; fragmentation seasoned with insularity and pettiness, and it affects our overall development in all aspects of our lives.

Look at our governments, and how they can seldom agree on anything that can be of our collective benefit to our people; everything they agree on, when it comes to implementation, everybody does his/her own thing in his interest. The relationship is based on gross mistrust of each other. Fine example is the CCJ, despite all the talk it is a task of monumental proportions to get all on board to trust their own. They talk free trade and travel, but in practice is a another mess, and it is all based on the insular nature of the artificial fragmentation created by colonialism. All over the world countries are coming together to rip the benefits of co-operation, in the caribbean, we are like 'crabs in a barrel' only concerned with our individual dots coming out alive at the expense of the others.

I say all of that to say, that West Indies cricket mirrors our region and all it's weaknesses. The insularities that exist in caricom are the same that are manifested in West Indies Cricket, and on this forum as well; this is not an easy issue to manage. The BCCI or the ECB does not face the issues of fragmentation, insularity and pettiness that the WICB has to deal with. The successes of past West Indian teams were generated from feelings of patriotism that permeated down from our struggles against colonialism. Our players, then, understood the important role of showing the world that we are capable of standing shoulder and shoulder with the best out there; they were driven by pride and professionalism, and set aside the insularities once they engaged the world. Those are the attributes that are lacking in our players of today, and it demonstrated clearly on the field. That is why when asked by the journalist "who do you think would win the game today and why', the young passerby said "South Africa, because they are a team that plays together, but West Indies are eleven individuals". Anybody who is looking on can see that, those are the attributes the players can change without the WICB. The West Indian teams of old teaches us what the caribbean can achieve through unity of purpose, the team of recent time shows us the results of disunity and lack of focus.

I can put it to you, that while some of the things you mention are BASIC truths everywhere in the world, your continued deliberation are ignoring fundamental elements of caribbean society. And, just to add something here, the uproar by the Vincentian PM had to do more with embarrassment from the exposure to the world that the governments are even less able to raise $42m than the WICB; that is something you should think hard about.

In reply to Besar


All you have said is true.How can we get out of this mess?

The lack of leadership is striking.Which leader is going to go against the base instincts of his people to stop this kind of thinking and could such a leader survive?

In reply to Dukes

There is only one possible way, and that would be to have a professional franchise system,free of borders, like they do for the CPL T20 where the team ownership is completely responsible for player development like the Professional Leagues in the USA. This is the only way, I believe, insularity will be tempered.

In reply to StumpCam

There is only one possible way, and that would be to have a professional franchise system,free of borders, like they do for the CPL T20 where the team ownership is completely responsible for player development like the Professional Leagues in the USA. This is the only way, I believe, insularity will be tempered.

I think you've got something here!

In reply to Besar
That is a nice piece with all the pertinent points.

Enjoyed reading it.

In reply to Besar

I have to disagree with this. There is parochialism, division by castes and sects in the Uk and India respectively. Not at the level we experience here but nevertheless it exists.

In reply to spider

The first thing that is needed in the Region is GOOD GOVERNANCE BY THOSE IN

THE GOVERNANCE OF CRICKET IN THE

REGION .

I find it puzzling that a Top notch
Person has not been hired to bring on board Sponsors in the Region , to fund
what needs to be done to make our Players fully competitive .

The statistics indicate that our Players play less Cricket than their counterparts on Teams ranked above our Team . This essentially means that our Players are less competitive
than their opposition most of the time .

This must be seriously addressed if the goal is to make our Players the best in the World. Now the task of
making our Players successful is the
Duty & Obligation of the WICB .

I have stated this for years , but the Apologists for the WICB in this
Forum bluntly refuse to address this
Issue which is at the heart of the matter regarding the competitiveness
of our Players & Team .

In reply to Besar

I understand your perspective , in the Region , the scales are not equal in the various countries , regarding Size ;Financial Resources ; Natural Resources , and our continuous attitude to belittle each other .

This rears its ugly head in Cricket .
where we continuously read in this
Forum people talking about " Going it
Alone " .

Then WE have those who believe that
their particular Country must develop
their Players , win the Regional Tournaments & pack the West Indies Team with their Players . My Good Friend Opening is a staunch supporter of this point of view .

I will never subscribe to that narrow
minded Insular perspective . CRICKET IN THE REGION IS NEVER GOING TO

IMPROVE , IF EVERY YEAR THE SAME TWO

TEAMS MEET IN THE FINALS .

My belief is that all the Teams must be more or less at the same competitive standard ; so that eventually the standard of Cricket in the Region will get better .

In my opinion , to achieve this goal
ALL young promising Players in the Region must be able to attend ANY CRICKET
ACADEMY IN THE REGION THAT CAN ASSIST HIS / HER PROGRESS . I was heartened by the fact that the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board U-19
Team recently went on a Tour , and they took Emmanuel Stewart of Grenada with them .

To achieve this goal , I am of the belief that the governing body for
Cricket in the Region could pay these Academies a Stipend for accepting Players in the Region . Doing this will foster I believe some semblance of Unity in the Region .

The current occupants of the WICB are devoid of Vision , so they will never do anything like this . Part 1 of my response to you .

In reply to POINT

The BCA is responsible for Barbados cricket, that body must see to it, that every young cricketer get the best coaching and structure, in order to make it unto the International arena.
This is where it start as far as I am concern
Inspire Sports Under-13 limited overs tournament

You can watch these youngsters from Wanderers every weekend.
Wanderers Cricket Club

In reply to POINT

Please reread question and answer again

In reply to Besar

Part 2 of my response .

Regarding the CCJ , there are some Governments who would like to have the CCJ being the Final Court , however
to do that England mandates that there
be a Referendum and 51% of the population must agree to join the CCJ.

In SVG there was a Referendum , but it failed to attain the 51% , I believe that Dominica is going to join the CCJ this year . Perhaps when
it is know how they got the approval
of England ; other Islands may try that method .

Regarding the Governments in the Region , many of them are afraid that
by stating that they are willing to join the CCJ , their Opposition Party because they are labelled the Opposition Party will always oppose
everything Governments proposes .

What the CCJ needs is a very good Public Relations Officer to tour the Region & inform the People in the Region about the Structure of the Court .

Many people in the Region cite Political Interference , by Governments will make the decisions of the Court tainted . That however cannot happen . The CCJ is the only Court in the World that is not directly funded by one government in the Region .

The Governments in the Region put money into a Bank every year , and that money pays the salaries of ALL those who work at the CCJ . This insulates the Judges from Political Interference .

Now Regarding Cricket , It is true that the Golden Eras were fuelled by
Patriotism etc . But lost in the shuffle are the following facts :

1. Most of our players were Playing Cricket in England . This meant that
their Skills were Harnessed ; Enhanced & Honed to perfection .

2. Playing Cricket in England forces
batsmen to middle the ball or perish , because of the heavy atmosphere there , the ball moves in the air & off the pitches .

3. Bowlers perfected the art of making the ball Swing .

4. THERE WAS ONLY ONE FORMAT OF THE

GAME TEST MATCHES . MANY MATCHES

WERE PLAYED BEFORE & IN BETWEEN

THE TEST MATCHES ; INCLUDING MORE

THAN HALF THE ENGLISH COUNTIES .

Obviously all these matches helped
our Players skills in all aspects of the game .

5. Playing Cricket in England & in
other Countries , with only one format of the game , made our Players
accustomed to both the Pitches & Weather Conditions . Because when our Players played in other Countries , they played matches prior to the first Tes Match , and in between the other Test matches .

The introduction of the ODI Matches
did not impinge much on our Players abilities . However when England reduced the number of Players being allowed to play in England reduced our Players competitiveness ; because
when not representing the Region or playing in the Regional Tournaments they were essentially Idle .

Nothing was done to maintain their skills in all aspects of the game . Then all this was compounded by the introduction of the third format of the game . This made Tours truncated , and difficult for our Players who play less Cricket than Players on Teams ranked above them .

IN ORDER TO WIN MATCHES , PLAYERS

MUST BE ABLE TO PLAY A LOT OF MATCHES

IN THE 3 VERSIONS OF THE GAME .

THE DEFICIENCIES OF OUR PLAYERS ARE

NOT EXPOSED IN THE SHORTEST VERSION

OF THE GAME ; HOWEVER IN THE LONGER

VERSIONS OF THE GAME THEY ARE ON

EXPOSED . THE SOLUTION IS TO HAVE

THEM PLAY MORE MATCHES IN THE LONGER

VERSIONS OF THE GAME .UNLESS THAT IS

DONE , THEY WILL ALWAYS BE VULNERABLE

IN THESE VERSIONS OF THE GAME .

In reply to spider

These matches are a drop in a bucket compared to what is needed . They started playing more matches when , from 2013 , WE ARE STILL GETTING OUR

ASSES KICKED BY TEAMS RANKED ABOVE OUR

TEAM IN THE LONGER VERSIONS OF THE

GAME . THIS BUTTRESSES MY POINT .


Now if it was the Players who determined the Schedule & duration of Matches , the duration of the Camps & the number of Warm up Matches ;

I WOULD BE VERY CRITICAL OF THEM ,

BUT THEY ARE NOT EMPOWERED TO DO

THOSE THINGS .