Victory or defeat, they believe in celebration. They are jovial, happy-go-lucky, and full of life. With Reggae music running in the background and a bottle of beer in their hand, the kind of joyful enthusiasm the crowd displays in the Caribbean is infectious. And the credit goes to the West Indian cricketers. With superior performances one after another, they commanded respect and adulation in the 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, as a fan, I wasn’t a part of the era, but I did grow up listening to the tales of their domination in 90s. Gradually, I became a wanna-be West Indian, so much so that I stayed up late nights to cherish the ‘Caribbean brand of cricket’, albeit being an ardent Team India fan. Also read - IND vs WI 2nd Test: Hosts’ endurance bolsters Test cricket credentials

As a matter of fact, that doesn’t happen anymore. The once-easygoing and cool West Indian cricket has been in a state of turmoil for the past half a decade. More than the cricketers, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) often made headlines. Players were not being paid the due amount, and even threatened to abandon the scheduled series. Captains were being changed for no apparent reason. Players were being sacked, citing disciplinary issues. One thing led to another and my fandom is no longer the same.

read more at cricketcountry

Full Story

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Until we can develop a methodology that can quantify a captain's contribution to the team and judge whether this contribution is greater than good and consistent bat and ball performances...sorry de Courtesy cannot give any significant weighting to the "two World cups" and "gelling the team together" (leadership) attributes.

The justification with regard to 'leadership' attributes' also presupposes that any new captain is devoid of these qualities or cannot develop them.

Shoot.

In reply to Courtesy

how would you construct such a matrix?

In reply to sudden

It's difficult, because human resources change constantly in the constructs of the team and this may very well contribute significantly to inconsistent performance or for that matter, good performance.

If the majority of players contribute negatively to the team's overall performance it will affect the team negatively. The reverse is also applicable and may not necessarily be attributed to strong leadership.

We must also remember that Sammy was the leader of the test and ODI teams and there is no evidence that these teams performances improved significantly. That's a constant for you...make what we wish of it.

Further, unless we develop a set of measurable strategic imperatives for appraising our captains, how do we accurately assess them (captains)? This is vital.

Win/loss record alone is limited in the evaluation of a captain or leadership.

It is impractical to evaluate if there are no or limited performance indicators.

Retroactively, we can judge, if Carlos Brathwaite is given very much the same team and compare the team's performance with that of Sammy...but even this has its contraints.

But in a nutshell, there are two many variables and it makes the development of such a methodology almost impossible.

In reply to Courtesy

You are discounting simple intelligence, common sense and the human ability to identify intangibles...subjective as they may be
We've gotten this far in thousands of years, without having to quantify everything prior to acceptance

Your stance is a stubborn, obtuse stance, no?

In reply to Halliwell

A whole load of bull manure, which I will not even attempt to tear apart.

In simple terms, it is simplistic and devoid of any scientific qualification...vodoo even.

Stick to your vodoo methodology in decision making...decision making based on subjectivity.

I know better.

Unceremonius? Turmoil? These Injuns read too much into the situation..

In reply to Khaga

Is there a practice of vodoo in India? I would hope not.

In reply to Courtesy

The matrix is simple bro, make runs and take wickets - captain or not, otherwise you are a goner!

In reply to XDFIX

A small but significant start in terms of leadership...well unless you can quality as specialist captain and even that leadership benefit can be achieved with a little bit of thought off the field.

But I agree, it should start with consistent 'bat and ball' contributions and that's basically what the new Chairman of Selectors has communicated.

The days of specialist captains are behind us.

In reply to Courtesy

My man be careful hear! The st Lucians on Facebook not in that mood....you could be lynched

In reply to FuzzyWuzzy

I know. However I will not use whatever very little education that I have to blindly wave my national flag or go in the pursuit of spreading nationalist fervour.

I will never be bogged down by the weight of a flag.

In reply to Courtesy

There is some backlash to this ?

In reply to Commie

Yep. There is a group set up in Saint Lucia to promote vigorously a boycott of the test.

In reply to Courtesy

sammy fuh senator and sports minister

In reply to Courtesy

Thats silly.

Were they going to attend in the first place ?

In reply to Courtesy

Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.

Nobody's at cricket anyhow

In reply to sudden

Wrong party in power...lol

In reply to Commie

Good question...but they have the option of going (if they never intended to be there) and convey their messages thru placards.

In reply to Courtesy

tell them turn up with placards supporting Sammy. that would make Sammy proud and perhaps give him a better send off

In reply to sudden

No comment.

In reply to Courtesy

one of the biggest problem people face is overestimating their own importance. the earth spins with or without

In reply to sudden

Absolutely. According to Bill "we all have our entrances and our exits." We must play our part and be very willing to move on.

I must ask my buddy Ernest what he thinks

In reply to Commie

Give him a call.

In reply to Courtesy

you do have his mobile #, do you not?

In reply to sudden

No.

In reply to Courtesy

i meant that for Commie. anyway turn up at Sammy Estade and protest please

In reply to sudden

Well it is a bit tricky that they did this just in time for the first game at the stadium renamed in his honor.

I suspect the WICB needs some PR touchups.

In reply to Commie

Fuzzy needs to be put on a shortlist.

In reply to Commie

thought it was well timed. almost Trumpetic, you see WI playing test cricket at a ground named after a T20 cappo that they just fired. if people turn up to protest more people in the stands and Sammy feels good but he is still fired. if no one turns up to protest no skin off WICB teet and Sammy is still fired

In reply to Courtesy



You think I want arrows at me constantly?

In reply to FuzzyWuzzy

You will do such a good job that there will be no need for salvos or arrows.

In reply to sudden

Said like a true political consultant.

I was just talking crisis pr, not elections

Sammy is not Viv, Lloyd, etc, but he did a darn good job based on the situation. The problem is that his stint should have been shorter, especially as Test captain. His role should have been a transitional one. But the board failed to develop a proper young team during that time. When Sammy was given the captain it was that time they should have parted ways with the old players. They sat around in the team too long. It is just now that they are looking to fill the team with the new generation.

Kimar Roach was done long, long time (A fast bowler with his hype cant even do well in Australia)
There was not future in Rampaul.
Jerome Taylor (Cummings should have already developed in this spot)
Denorine (same as above for a younger player)
Devon Smith (his recalls killed Craig Bratwaite)
Young Bravo (I don't know) But I am numbering his days for a younger player with better technique.

In reply to Courtesy

Well dere will be more people around de stadim dan usual for a test match where de opponent eh England. But ah here dey plan to try and prevent people from entering

In reply to Maispwi

This does not attract my interest.

NEVER.

Same knife stick goat stick sheep