A Patently Absurd WICB Decision
They've done it again! Just as one thought that a constructive, long-term plan of development was being pursued, our resident geniuses at the WICB have decided to remove the two means by which more of our young cricketers can gain early experience at regional level -- Windies 'B' and the University Of the West Indies (UWI).
They've decided that our cricket is so healthy that both the talent base and participation ratio should be contracted. We're doing so well at international level that these areas have paled in importance. Is that just brilliant, or what? Would you have been able to come up with that one yourself?
This stroke, however, is not without merit. It excludes the international invitee to regional competition. This has proven to be of little value, as these teams have been weak and a greater experience for their players than ours.
The exclusion of the 'B' Team and UWI is entirely another matter, and smacks of a lack of foresight, a rose-coloured view of where our cricket really is and needs to go, and just plain stupidity. I have heard the view expressed by the WICB that the excluded teams caused dilution of regional cricket. In the case of the 'B' Team in the state in which it has played, it would be unlikely that it would be competitive, as it changes too often. That's a selection problem ? lack of clarity as to the objective, a fault which the WICB would never admit.
What they have now done is to recreate the vacuum between Under-19 and regional level. The U-19 or young player who cannot immediately make his national team will sit out the first-class season, and miss out on valuable time in his development as a player. That adds up to approximately sixteen young cricketers. Regardless of what the WICB wants to say, this is what will happen.
In the case of UWI, a little history may be helpful. A reliable source credits now President Teddy Griffith with convincing the Board to remove the annual Vice Chancellor's Match against touring teams from the WICB itinerary. This effectively removed UWI from West Indies cricket. Through representations by Principal of Cave Hill, Professor Hilary Beckles to then President, The Honourable Pat Rousseau OJ, The VC's Match was reinstated with apology and an appreciation of the role that UWI is so well positioned to play in WI Cricket.
Further, in 2002, UWI was invited to play in the Red Stripe Bowl, albeit at fairly short notice. Mr. Griffith, a UWI graduate himself, is now President, and UWI has once more been excluded from West Indies cricket. Is it only me, or is there some correlation with history? Whether this has come about through lack of vision or some personal agenda, it is a patently absurd decision.
When the University was first told of its inclusion in regional competition, there was insufficient time to put a proper structure in place. Cricket on this scale was something new to the institution, and systems of communication and commitment had to be put in place. This has been done to the extent that a talent identification programme has been instituted and completed, technical development camps run, and a pool of thirty players identified for the trials which are scheduled for the end of August. At this time, a squad of sixteen players would have been named and prepared through September for the Bowl in October. This latest WICB announcement comes on the eve of the trials.
Now what does this decision do for cricket? What message does it send to the young cricketer leaving school with the academic qualifications to enter a tertiary institution that facilitates his cricket but does not provide the level of competition that will fully develop his capability? He will be lost to the system, a system lacking in the leadership skills and discipline inherent in a university education. Where are our future Sir Frank Worrells to come from ? That American university where the Academy is? -- Please!? Do we no longer seek leaders from the education system? Is there such an abundance that we can turn our backs because we already have so many brilliant thinkers among us? Dark days will always befall ? that's mostly misfortune. When you create them yourself ? that's stupidity.
It is hard to believe, in this day and age, and given the state of our cricket, that one of the only two truly unifying forces in the region can be treated with such scant regard and dismissed as meaningless to the development of the game of cricket.
I make no secret of my association with the University of the West Indies or my commitment to the development of cricket on all campuses, and sincerely hope to stir public opinion on this issue. My agenda has always been clear ? the growth of West Indies cricket. We cannot grow by restricting opportunities. It is imperative at this time that all areas of our cricket be explored for the components necessary to raise our general standards and create a more vibrant future.
* Jeff Dujon played in 81 Test matches for the West Indies between 1981 and 1991. He is a WICB certified cricket coach attached to the University of the West Indies (UWI).