Firstly, I wish to congratulate Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul
and Wavell Hinds on their magnificent performances in the first
innings of the first Test against South Africa. This has been
achieved within a climate of controversy and tension which makes
their contributions quite outstanding.
This is of no surprise to me because of the quality and tenacity
of our players on and off the field and how they have dealt with
difficult situations in the recent past. They have had to contend
with the current contract controversy and, contrary to what have
been promoted in certain quarters, the players have always been
focused on acting in a mature and responsible manner and putting
regional cricket first.
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.
If Dinanath Ramnarine has any modicum of good sense left, he
should resign his post as President of the West Indies Players
Association (WIPA) now.
If he doesn't do the honorable thing, his constituents should
demand it. His actions during the personal endorsement contracts
crisis has served to severely weaken and sully the image of WIPA,
the only organization capable of providing checks and balances to
the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
