Reflections on a Crazy Week

First, Brian Lara was not dropped. He refused to play. Lara?s contract was cleared, and he was invited by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to join the team, and he declined.

Why did Lara refuse to play? Only Lara knows the answer to that question, and anything else is pure speculation. Secondly, Shivnarine Chanderpaul did not undermine Lara. Chanderpaul was appointed captain only after Lara refused to play. No player is bigger than the game, even if that player is Brian Charles Lara or Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Thirdly, the WICB made the right decision. Is the WICB guilty of past misdeeds, poor management, and inefficiency? Yes, the WICB is a pathetic excuse for a cricket board, but that does not automatically make them wrong each time.

There are two separate issues here. One is the current sponsorship row, and the other is the poor job of the WICB over the years. In the past, the WICB was justifiably criticized and condemned for being weak, and for failing to stand up to unruly and indisciplined players. For the first time, they summoned the courage to stand up to some players who believe that they are bigger than the game. Shouldn?t the WICB be complimented instead of ridiculed? After all, isn?t this what the coaches and managers ? from Kanhai to Marshall to Harper - were all calling for each time West Indian players denigrated and dishonored the proud tradition and reputation of West Indies cricket?

Finally, the Board has acted, but some don?t like it because their ?stars? are on the receiving end. The fact is that greed, poor management, and bad advice all played a part in the current crisis.

Whatever Lara?s reason for refusing to play, it was the wrong decision. As captain and senior player, Lara?s responsibility is to his team. Lara?s supporters argue that Lara wanted to stand by his six teammates who signed with C&W. But what about his 22 teammates who were selected, others ask. Couldn?t Lara?s decision not to play be construed as a betrayal and desertion of these teammates?

One thing is quite clear, Lara?s position would have been stronger, and he could have better represented his interests, and the interest of his six teammates, from inside the team. Whoever is advising Lara should have encouraged him to state publicly his objections to the WICB, and then to accept the invitation to play in the first test. Had he done so, Lara would have finally demonstrated the kind of leadership that is long expected of him, and he would have earned the respect and admiration of both friends and detractors.

What seems more and more evident, however, is that Lara counted on the WICB to give in to his demands. And why shouldn?t he? In the past the WICB has consistently tolerated Lara?s every whim and fancy. Is it possible that the other six players signed the C&W contracts in the belief that Lara will continue to have his way? Unfortunately for the six players, the WICB declared them ineligible for selection. Could that be the reason behind Sarwan and Gayle decision to terminate their contracts? Did they finally realize that this was never about them in the first place?

That this was all about C&W trying to put one over on Digicel, and counting on the WICB to accede to Lara? How else can we explain C&W decision to release the six players immediately after the test match started, when it became clear that the WICB would not back down?

This crisis may still not be over, but it has sent a message, long overdue, that West Indies cricket is bigger than any player. Secondly, the unexpected batting performance so far, by the team in the first test, is a rude awakening to all that no one?s position on the team is guaranteed.

Finally, does this mean that the WICB has suddenly transformed itself into a respectable body? Again, let?s set the record straight, please ? one swallow does not a summer make.