Why Aren't We Scouting South Africa?

When the fourteen teams clash in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, tactics and strategies will play as significant a role as talent and skill in the tournament's eventual outcome. Knowledge of conditions and information about the opposing players -- their strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes -- will be massaged by the various coaching staff and translated into team strengths.

Curiously, teams like Australia and South Africa which are acknowledged as having the greatest talents and skills; will be doing most of the? strategizing. It causes one to wonder.

Unfathomable, is it not, that the weaker teams are not making a more concerted effort to narrow the gap by way of superior planning. The West Indies, I believe, plead guilty to that charge of neglect.

When the curtain rises on the tournament, on February 9 next year; South Africa, the home team and second favourites to win the prestigious event, will take on the West Indies. Yes, we're first in line!

In the one-day format, especially, we are well aware that there is a psychological chasm between the two sides. Time and again we have faltered, or I daresay wilted; as a result of all the 'mind games'. It is generally acknowledged that the South Africans have proven themselves to be a much more organised and professional unit in the past. However, though our side?was admittedly outdone by the opponent's superior cricketing ability, mental preparedness and experience; of greater significance, was the fact that there seemed to be a marked difference between the two sides, in the analytical aspect of preparation. This, I'm afraid, has been a major deficiency of the West Indian cricketing establishment, during the lengthy period of our decline.

I ask these questions. How long will the euphoria from our successes in Asia last? Will the authorities just continue to rest comfortably on their laurels, given the emergence of the talents like Sarwan, Samuels and Lawson and the imminent return of Lara and Hooper?? I sincerely hope not! Because those factors alone -- though promising -- will not reverse that trend (futility against South Africa), or our fortunes. Insightful preparation must accompany that which is gradually falling into place.

We will defeat South Africa, I believe, only by off-the-field pre-match planning; by thoroughly analysing the members of their current team; dissecting the tactics they are using, and devising some creative strategies to counter their obvious strengths.

This wholesale scrutiny can only be carried out by observing them in action.? Hence the earlier charge of? neglect.

South Africa is engaged in an ongoing series against Pakistan and, in my opinion, the opportunity should have been seized to gather proper intelligence.? Some member(s) of the? West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB)coaching staff, or any other of its cricket savvy representatives, needs to be there taking copious notes, recording his/their observations and bringing back voluminous details to be studied and addressed for application in February.

There should have been videos of every wicket taken, every run scored, with maps illustrating all the strengths and the limitations. I doubt this was even a consideration of our authorities. Was it their familiar 'penny-pinching'? Short-sightedness? Lack of interest? I would hazard a guess, and say all three!

To not aggressively seek to have such invaluable material at our disposal is inexcusable, and quite puzzling. It makes one wonder -- in the absence of such a database -- what the 15-man squad's 'classroom' preparation will consist of during the fortnight of next month's pre-tournament encampment. Are we talking guesswork?

One would have thought that the recent 'Virender Sehwag Experience', would have rung a bell; or struck a chord. But apparently, it did no such thing. If my memory is as reliable as I think it is; it was well into the series against India, in India, that we finally unearthed his (Sehwag's) obvious weaknesses. Subsequently, things were noticeably more subdued. It was too late, if you ask me. Had we done comprehensive analysis on the Indians, the dashing opener might have been 'dashed' much sooner, and the Test series might not have lost its competitiveness as quickly as it did.

But let me return to the focal point; the South Africans. It's all about impetus. Victory in the opening match of any tournament, especially the World Cup, and particularly against the hot favourite in your section of the draw, is a tremendous confidence booster and a positive step towards progress into the second round. I hasten to add that for the West Indies, it will certainly be redemptive; if not therapeutic. Not only will it be a victory against the confident and highly-rated hosts; but the welcome removal of a seemingly perpetual mental stumbling block.? Defeat, on the other hand, could easily destroy morale and the chance to move beyond the preliminary stage.

Believe me! That one game is so crucial, so critical, that it demands special attention.?And yet.

Nothing here remotely resembles rocket science. This is merely a practical and systematic approach to planning.? It is an investment that could bear considerable interest; and can certainly? be considered? more in tune with reality, than the decision to send the Chairman of Selectors, to India; to critically observe those with whom he is likely more familiar.

If, as I'm sure there is; acceptance by the multitude that the great Sir Viv is to play the lead role in the re-establishment of our previously enviable status in cricket; then his expertise must be exploited wisely and selectively. Time and money, both of which the WICB can ill-afford at present, are being wasted.? In short, a fact-gathering mission to South Africa?-- during their present series -- by Sir Vivian Richards, senior administrator and? veritable cricket knowledgable, in the company of a computer expert, would have signalled to all and sundry that our intentions and approach in February and March will be uncompromising.

Instead, for some reason, we seem to prefer to let nature take its course, or more appropriately; not fiddle with our destiny.

When one considers that the advancement of the technological age is in full throttle; and that we are fully aware of our opponents' frenzied attempts to 'get with the program' at every possible opportunity; it?simply defies logic that we in our somewhat primitive state of cricketing affairs, are so extremely relaxed! How can this be? We must be cognizant of the fact that the easy, breezy, halcyon days have long gone. Only innovation and hard work will resurrect our superiority in the sport.

The WICB, for some bizarre reason, is exhibiting an inherent fear to 'seize the moments' and keeps 'dropping the ball'! Why the passivity? It's truly mysterious. I'm positive that there are a few good men, technological wizards; in this region, who for reasonable remuneration, would be all too willing to play an active part in jump-starting our resurgence, through the gathering of critical data, for reference by our coaching staff and players.??

Rev. Hall and his subordinates are advised, that courtesy of similarly skilled and committed individuals in Africa's lower extremities; there is, presently in the South African camp, massive data on Lara, Hooper, Gayle, Hinds, Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Samuels, and now on Lawson, since his stunning six-wicket performance against Bangladesh. Think about it!

* Nigel McKenzie is a cricket writer based in Georgetown, Guyana. His columns appear in the Kaieteur News.