A Deeply Divisive Captain

This BCL is a man who strikes deep and conflicting emotions within the West Indian fan base. The only other captain to have done that was Carl Hooper.

But just how does Lara manage to enthrall and alienate at one and the same time? On the one hand, 'Zee Prince' who can do no wrong and on the other, he's viewed as a venomous selfish brat. Last Saturday, the West Indies cricket team carved out a brilliant victory. As the captain the man ought to take some of the credit, yet we see fans saying they cannot credit a captain for wins or losses. Uncharitable at a very minimum.

Lara, the little man from Trinidad and Tobago, has contributed more than any other to a polarization amongst West Indian fans. And if, as I contend, politics and sport are closely intertwined, this polarity is but another representation of the polarization in Caribbean societies resulting from the Ivan-like changes of the Globalisation epoch.

Throughout the region and around the planet, the battle lines have been drawn. And even as we celebrate the wonderful victory, the protagonists are digging themselves in, hunkering down, each determined to prove the other wrong.

Part of the explanation, I think, lies in the little man?s past indiscipline, and the other part rests on the type of captain that he is. His transgressions are well documented so there is no need here to recant the long list. But where I believe I may be able to add something of substance to the debate is to articulate a position which perhaps is not that well documented.

Lara (and Hooper) represents a decisive break with the past. He is, if you like, a post modernist captain. So the fervent nationalism personified by Worrell, by Lloyd and by Richards is manifested in a different manner by BCL. He is anti-authority, and unflinchingly unapologetic. But the anti-authority stance can perhaps be construed as an indelible part of the post independence generation. And, very simply, the authorities ? political leaders, captains of industry, the church, the state and its institutions - have sold the West Indian masses down (or perhaps up) the river. A clear act of betrayal.

BCL is a product of this post independence generation. He does not trust (and rightly so) the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in the same way that the masses do not trust the politicians, and he challenges in a manner that no other captain has done. Worrell too challenged, but he did so as an Oxbridge man.

In addition, BCL is the first West Indian cricketing multi-millionaire and this again sets up the seeds of conflict and resentment. Unlike those before him, he is very much his own master and so has the Board (previously the Board of Control) by the proverbial goolies. He in fact controls them.

There can be no doubt that he has the entire destiny of West Indian cricket in his hands. Now this I think is the big point: Many perceive in him significant character flaws ? mean spiritedness, arrogance, etc., and it is this which gives them pause.

Brian Charles Lara, hero or villain? Both sides feel they have the answer, but both sides misrepresent the context and moment in history. And as we all know, despite what we may say now, it is history which will speak the loudest.

For the moment, the little man from PoS can do himself a power of good by leading the region?s team from victory to victory. After all, it is in fact the winning and losing which will color the history.

* Alexander Lowe publishes the Letters From The West Village blog.