Part 2: Peeking Under the WICB Hood

As previously explained, CaribbeanCricket.com is publishing verbatim excerpts of minutes of meetings of WICB's Cricket Committee (Playing and Development).

In this section of the minutes of the October meeting (Jamaica), the meeting brainstorms the bonus points system for the Carib Beer Cup, the accreditation of level II coaches, the preparations for the upcoming England and Bangladesh tours, the remedial work on Jermaine Lawson's bowling action and payments to junior selectors...

8.2 A Discussion Paper on a Bonus Points System based on the second innings prepared by Public Relations Manager of Carib Brewery Ltd. had been circulated beforehand and was taken as having been read. The paper was discussed in detail and compared with bonus points systems in other competitions such as the English County Cricket Championship. Mr. Nicholas was asked, during the luncheon interval, to research the percentage victory achieved over the past three (3) years under the current points system.

At 1.10 p.m the meeting adjourned for lunch. The meeting re-convened at 2.15 p.m.

Mr. Nicholas reported as follows:
The 2001 Tournament.
Preliminary Rounds:
9 of the 28 matches were drawn, 19 were out right wins.

The 2002 Tournament.
Preliminary Rounds:
8 of the 28 matches were drawn, 20 were outright wins.

The 2003 Tournament.
Preliminary Rounds:
10 of the 28 matches were drawn, 18 were outright wins.

Based on the statistics, the meeting did not find sufficient justification to introduce a bonus points system on second innings as a means of encouraging teams to try for outright victories. The Committee was of the view however, that financial rewards or a bonus points system on first innings may provide a better incentive for improved performances and more exciting matches.

9.0 ACCREDITATION OF LEVEL II COACHES.
9.1 Dr. Seepersaud reminded the Committee that the coaching courses were reviewed and revamped to improve their content. He explained that under the new system, accreditation was not automatic, but that following attendance at a coaching course, the coach was required to go in the field for a period of six months, practice what had been taught, and that someone had to certify the field work in order that the coach could be accredited. Dr. Seepersaud pointed out that Mr. Jeff Dujon was responsible for supervising the process.

He pointed out that the accreditation was done at two levels after which coaches were required to undergo new concepts in coaching. Dr. Seepersaud showed computerized video clips of Jerome Taylor's bowling action to demonstrate how the knowledge and use of biomechanics could be utilized to determine how much pressure was being placed on the lower back by one's bowling action, as well as the bowler's hip/shoulder separation. He emphasized that methodology was important.

9.2 Mrs. John-Brown and Mr. Butts were excused from the meeting because they were considered for accreditation. Dr. Seepersaud circulated the list of candidates for Level II accreditation. Those recommended for full accreditation included Jeffrey Dujon, Kenny Benjamin, Phillip Service, Andre Coley, Ingleton Liburd, Alfred Bynoe, Irvin Warrican, Trevor Shillingford, Roddy Estwick, Ezra Mosley, Henderson Springer, Tony Gray, Bachan Boochoon, Debideen Manick and Clyde Butts.

Gus Logie and Roger Harper were recommended for honorary accreditation, while Ann Browne-John and Kumar Rampat were required to complete assignments before they could be fully accredited. Dr. Seepersaud explained that Messrs Logie and Harper were required to complete the coaching education and rationale for accreditation, while there were no accreditation reports on Mrs. Browne-John and Mr. Rampat. Dr. Seepersaud undertook to get reports on Mrs. Browne-John and Mr. Rampat and promised to explain the situation to Mrs. Browne-John.

The meeting was of the view that people like Gus Logie, Roger Harper, Andy Roberts and Brian Davis who had undergone training and or were still actively and regularly involved in coaching West Indies teams or in regional coaching programmes should be accredited. The meeting endorsed the Level II accreditation. Mrs. John-Brown and Mr. Butts re-joined the meeting and were duly congratulated on their Level II coaching accreditation.

9.3 Dr. Seepersaud reported that fast bowler Jermain Lawson had made good progress towards correcting his bowling action during a visit to Australia in the company of Coach, Phillip Service. He told the meeting that a biomechanical analysis of Lawson?s bowling action was expected by Friday, 24th October, 2003, and that Lawson had played some Club cricket while in Australia.

9.4 Dr. Seepersaud reported that a Level II Coaching Course was scheduled to begin in Guyana on Monday, 27th October, 2003; that the Development Unit was about to start the process of tracking the progress of the region's Under-15 and Under-19 cricketers with the aim of producing a number of talented young cricketers. He also reported that coaching courses on batting and wicket keeping for Under-23 cricketers were scheduled to be held in November, 2003.

10.0 PREVIEW OF 2004 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SERIES IN THE WEST INDIES ? W.I vs. ENGLAND AND W.I vs. BANGLADESH.
10.1 Mr. Nicholas reported that the West Indies team which was at the time assembled in Antigua for a pre-Tour Camp from Tuesday, 21st to Friday, 23rd October, 2003, would depart Antigua on Saturday, 24th October, 2003 for South Africa via London, tour Zimbabwe between 27th October to 1st December, 2003 for a Series of Tests and One Day Internationals, then tour South from 1st December, 2003 to 7th February, 2004. He noted that the visas were being processed. Sir Vivian announced that the West Indies team for the tour of South Africa would be selected later.

10.2 Mr. Nicholas reported that England would start their 2004 tour of the West Indies in Jamaica, and were scheduled to arrive there on 26th February for a two-week period of acclimatization prior to the start of the tour with a 3-day match versus the U.W.I Vice Chancellor's XI, followed by a 3-day match vs. Jamaica. He pointed out that the hotel reservation for the series had been confirmed, and that most of the travel itinerary had been finalized, although the leg between Barbados and Antigua was creating some difficulty. He explained that a portion of the tickets for the series was being made available in the United Kingdom, with ticket scheduled to go on sale in the region in January, 2004.

10.3 In an E-Mail dated 19th October, Chief Cricket Operations Officer, Mr. Zorol Barthley advised the Committee that talks on the 2004 Bangladesh tour of the West Indies were on-going; that Guyana had indicated that due to unfavorable weather conditions at that time of the year, it was unwise to host matches in the country; and that the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control was holding discussions with the St Lucia Cricket Association about hosting the scheduled 2nd Test of the tour. The E-Mail noted that because of Guyana's response, the WICB had offered Bermuda or the Cayman the opportunity to host the other test match. The meeting was not happy with what appeared to be a brush-off of the Bangladesh team. Mr. Hendricks offered Jamaica as host for the matches originally scheduled for Guyana.

11.0 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WEST INDIES PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION AND THE WEST INDIES CRICKET BOARD.
11.1 The Chairman reported that Dr. Seepersaud had advised him that the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) had virtually blocked efforts to hold the approved coaching programme for the seventeen young cricketers recommended by the Senior Selection Committee. Dr. Seepersaud provided the details of E-Mail on development programmes he had forwarded to WIPA since July, 2004 but had to date received no reply.

Mr. Nicholas also related the problems between the Board and WIPA over a recent Cable & Wireless Public Relations Shoot. The Chairman expressed fears that West Indies cricket would not be best served if some understanding was not reached between WIPA and the WICB on the question of the involvement of WIPA members in WICB training and development programmes. He wondered if there could be some element of mistrust between the WICB and WIPA because of recent confrontations and current negotiations on the retainer contracts.

Mr. Nicholas explained that the Board had received the final draft of the retainer contract, but that there was not sufficient time to have it finalized and implemented prior to the West Indies 2003/2004 tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa. It was felt that the Cricket Committee should make every effort to bring about a smooth relationship between WIPA and the WICB. Consequently Mr. Holder was asked to contact WIPA's President, Mr. Dinanath Ramnarine to offer the Committee's assistance.

12.0 PER DIEM ? WICB'S JUNIOR SELECTION COMMITTEE.
12.1 The Chairman introduced the subject based on a telephone enquiry he had from the WICB's Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Barry Thomas. Mr. Butts, the current Chairman of the Junior Selection Committee reported that the per diem had been US$100.00 per day away from home for several years, but that in Guyana and in St Vincent and the Grenadines in the 2003 Under-19 and Under-15 Tournaments respectively, the amount US$150.00 per day had been paid, apparently without any approval.

He explained that WICB had since demanded that the overpayment be refunded. The meeting discussed the matter and agreed that given the nature of their duties, and in as much as the Senior Selectors were paid US$200.00 per day, the Junior Selectors per diem should increase to US$150.00 per day effective 1st January, 2003.

13.0 WICB'S DEVELOPMENT UNIT ? PERSONNEL MATTERS.
13.1 Dr. Seepersaud reported that Barbados was the only territory, which had not yet appointed its Development Officer. He pointed out that Mr. Jeff Dujon's current contract with the WICB would end on 31st October, 2003 and that he had been offered the new position of Coaching Manager, which would require him to re-locate in Antigua.

Dr. Seepersaud explained that should Mr. Dujon find it difficult to reside in Antigua, he could still utilize his services on a consultancy basis from time to time. He noted that he had not so far received a reply from Mr. Dujon. He also pointed out the difficulty experienced in managing Mr. Dujon from his home base in Jamaica under his current contract.

13.2 The Chairman announced the following new appointments at the WICB:
Mr. Zorol Barthley ? Chief Cricket Operations Officer.
Mr. Derrick Nicholas ? Cricket Operations Officer
Mrs. Forsianne Joseph ? Executive Assistant, Development Unit.
Mrs. Jacqui Joseph ? Personal Assistant, Chief Executive Officer.

14.0 UPDATE ON PLANS FOR ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2007.
14.1 The Chairman and Mr. Hendricks in turn updated the meeting on plans for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies following a Venue Summit held in St Lucia from 26th to 29th September, 2003. They reported on the general organization of the event, the security, the upgrade of venues, the travel logistics, accommodation, and the proposal for special harmonized legislation in the region, the challenges and the benefits.

15.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
15.1 Development of a Club System. Mr. Hendrix noted that a proper Club structure was vital for the development of young cricketers and suggested that a formula be worked out to offer support to Clubs in the region to finance their development programmes. He undertook to formulate some important points, which would form the basis for a discussion paper on the matter. Mr. Davis spoke on the programme pursued by the New South Wales Cricket Association, Australia.

15.2 Preparation of the Under-19 Team for the 2004 Cricket World Cup.
The meeting endorsed a recommendation from Mr. Butts that the Final of the Regional Under-19 Tournament be played over a period of four days.

The meeting recommended that during the month of November, 2003 a few weekend practice matches should be organized for the West Indies Under-19 team to the 2004 Cricket World Cup, and that in addition, training be organized to address the specific needs of each member of the team. Mr. Nicholas reported that each fast bowler had already been given a personal training programme; that a pre-tour camp was being organized for the squad in January 2004; and that en route to the World Cup the team was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka, with that country making a reciprocal tour to the Caribbean in the future.

15.3 2005 Women?s Cricket World Cup.
Mrs. Browne-John informed the meeting that the West Indies Women's Cricket Team had qualified for the 2005 Women's Cricket World Cup for which they were seeded eight. She noted that as part of the team's preparation, it would tour India/Pakistan in February/March, 2004, and that she planned to discuss the programme with Dr. Seepersaud. Mrs. Browne-John pointed out that the West Indies Women's Cricket Federation had already written a congratulatory letter to the new President of the WICB, and hoped that the Board could provide assistance for the team?s World Cup preparations.

15.4 Programme for cricketers between the ages of 19 and 23.
Mr. Hendricks expressed concern about the development of young cricketers between the ages of 19 and 23. Dr. Seepersaud undertook to prepare a discussion paper on the matter.

15.5 Replacement for Rev. Wes Hall on the Cricket Committee.
The Chairman announced that the new President of the WICB, Mr. Teddy Griffith did not wish to serve as a member of the Cricket Committee, and that Rev. Wes Hall would not be replaced.

* * Look for part three which details the discussions from the January meeting held in Antigua. At that meeting, the committee discussed the poor performance of the West Indies team in South Africa with some members openly questioning the leadership capabilities of captain Brian Lara.