Jimmy's missing ingredients
commentary by WAYNE WINSTON POWELLJames Clive Adams is an erstwhile former West Indies captain and dedicated servant of the West Indies and widely recognized as a student of game the game.
In his heyday, there were few who could credibly claim to replicate his confidence inspiring defensive prowess with his singular ability to launch effective counterattacking force at every available opportunity.
Add to that was his tremendous powers of concentration manifested in a remarkable ability to play each ball on its merit.
Jimmy was once the advocate for a popular dairy marketing enterprise in his native Jamaica and his assertion that "It's all in the milk" still resonates even now.
In this context it is very disappointing to see the gaping hole in his defense as he attempted to shed some light on the ills facing West Indies cricket during an interview with CaribbeanCricket.com contributor Michelle McDonald.
It appears from the gist of the interview that Adams contends that the WICB's "adversarial and short sighted" methodology is at the heart of the problems plaguing West Indies cricket.
While no one can responsibly argue against the contention that the WICB is indeed adversarial and shortsighted it is a fundamentally flawed proposition that this is the root cause of our problems.
In fact Adams seemingly attempts to absolve the WIPA of any responsibility for the counterbalancing nature of the relationship.
In his singular focus on the mythical fixed pie approach to Adams is falling prey to a morass of misunderstanding seeming caused by his unfortunate entrenchment into the corridors of the WIPA is hindering is ability to view the bigger picture.
The contention here is that the solution to West Indies cricket is not to find more ways to slice a fixed pie – but rather to find ways to expand the pie production capacity.
In this context therefore Adams fails to recognize that ultimately the solution to the problems assuming that we haven’t yet reached the environmental tipping point must of ultimate necessity focus on the following.
1. The appointment and financing by Caricom of a Cricket Oversight Board (along the lines of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).
2. A comprehensive overhaul of the organizational structure of the WICB to ensure absolute accountability to the peoples of the Diaspora and unfettered transparency in the management and operations encompassing;
Laws prohibiting members of the board (or related parties) from holding beneficial interest in contracts emanating from the board.
Term limits on the tenure of directors of the revamped board with overlapping tenure of directors to enhance transparency.
Independent professional finance and marketing organizations reporting directly to a Caricom appointed oversight board. Responsibility for cricket operations should continue to be within the jurisdiction of the revamped WICB.
3. Private and governmental capital investment that leverages the current regional educational and sports infrastructure to ensure seamless transition at all levels of the regional game.
4. Development of a full regional professional league 4. Revamp of the roles and responsibilities of team management.
5. Implementation of an independent finance committee.
6. Code of conduct governing both board members and players.
By failing to address the fundamental issues and instead concentrating on the distribution of scarce benefits and spoils Adams is being catastrophically short-sighted.