(Editor's Note: Earlier this week, when the names of the five
greatest West Indian cricketers were announced, Malcolm Marshall's
name was strangely, and inexplicably, missing. In memory of the
great fast bowler, CaribbeanCricket.com is republishing this
tribute to Marshall by the late Tim Hector).
When Andy Roberts called to say Malcolm Marshall had died, I
tried my level best to take the news calmly. I do not handle news
of death, especially coming by way of the telephone, well. Someday
I will overcome it.
But the news of Malcolm Marshall?s death was particularly
devastating. So much so, that but for a speaking commitment to the
Antigua Cricket Association and its President Andy Roberts, I did
not leave home that day. Could not. Petrified.
The Guyana government on Wednesday rushed to pour cold water on
a published report that a feasibility study demanded by the IMF
would interrupt construction on a new cricket stadium for the 2007
World Cup.
"The construction is proceeding. There will be no delays. The
feasibility study will be done simultaneously with the construction
work. This study is merely intended to confirm that the
construction of the cricket stadium is financially sustainable and,
if not, to take compensatory financial action," the Guyana
government said.
When the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) inked a new long-term
sponsorship deal with Digicel, questions were immediately
raised about captain Brian Lara's personal deal with Digicel's main
rival Cable & Wireless.
But, Lara sees nothing wrong with him endorsing a competitor's
product and made it clear the WICB gave its blessing to his
continued involvement with Cable & Wireless, according to a
report in the Barbados Nation.
Don't be fooled by the topic. It is not as complicated as it
sounds. I believe that for the West Indies team to make any gains
out of this tour or any other tour, it must approach the game in a
scientific way.
Since this article is written from a coach's perspective, I
should explain the background. Most coaches when in charge of a
team, are usually more concerned with development rather than
winning. Let me hasten to say, it is not that winning isn't
important but that, whatever you may want to believe, is secondary
to the overall goals.
The loss of this First Test to England continues to highlight
the fact that our team is a struggling one. We are struggling with
the ball and we struggle with the bat, except for a few bright
spots.
If there is no gradual change we will continue to struggle. And
here I am talking about "internal" changes in the players -- to do
better while fielding, bowling and batting. This is different from
the kinds of chasnges we want and expect from the West Indies
Cricket Board (WICB).
