The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket
Ramnaresh Sarwan is in no rush to take over the captaincy of the West Indies team.
Addressing the ongoing discussion about whether Brian Lara should relinquish the West Indies captaincy, Sarwan said: "When the time comes it will be right, I don't want to rush it. I feel Brian has tried to guide me along the right way and when the opportunity comes I hope I will put it to use."
As the West Indies continue to perform in a manner which has brought disgust to all West Indians and even to cricket lovers all over the world, the blame game is rife. On top of the list is, captain Brian Lara. He has been blamed, just as his predecessors, Jimmy Adams, Courtney Walsh, and Carl Hooper.
It has been said that his leadership lacks motivation. I beg to differ; and before anyone thinks that I am a blind follower, I am not. I am just taking an objective look at leadership at the team level in West Indies cricket.
"Grab it with both hands."
That was the message from 'Jackie' Hendriks, WICB Director and President of the Jamaica Cricket Association as he addressed the batch of youngsters enrolled in the second George Headley Centre of Excellence (GHCE) programme. The official launch took place on August 6th at the GC Foster College of Physical Education in St Catherine Jamaica, where the programme will be based.
It was dubbed 'Academygate' ? the scathing report by Australian coaches 'Toot' Byron and Tim Coyle and the subsequent meeting held in December 2002 between the WICB and the St George's University where the Shell Cricket Academy is based, to discuss the contents of that report.
Then, in 2003, the Dr Rudi Webster-led Academy came under scrutiny again, when the WICB's recommendations for the positions of Head Coach and Bowling Coach were rejected. Just what goes on at the Shell Academy, located in Southwest Grenada? Are all the allegations against Dr Webster true? Was Kenny Benjamin really not wanted as he asserts? Are the facilities and equipment adequate? Is there a structured curriculum?
(Trinidad Guardian)
President of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has called on all stakeholders in West Indies cricket to come forward and do a comprehensive review of 'the business of cricket.'
Addressing the Central Zone of the TTCB annual presentation function on Saturday, Ramnarine lashed out at the WICB for allowing insularity to kill the game. "Insularity is something that is killing our cricket. The Board knows this but they fail to address the problem. In fact I would say that insularity is more prevalent at Board level, with each territory looking after its own interest and not doing what is best for West Indies cricket."