The administration of sports in Jamaica is a serious job. Whenever a vacancy for the post of leader in cricket, football, or netball, comes up, there is usually a well-documented fight for the position of top administrator.
However, it is universally accepted that whatever the length of time of the reign, these leaders are supposed to improve the status of the sport, not only in ranking, but also in overall development of the participants in the particular sport. In most countries, failure to do any of the above results in either resignation or dismissal.
Here in Jamaica, the opposite occurs. When exposed to the trappings and benefits of being president, our sport administrators, find scapegoats and other bizarre reasons to stay in place, even though the sport spirals down to irrelevancy. In a recent radio interview, sports administrator par excellence, the Honourable Mike Fennel, revealed that in the Olympic movement there is a concerted effort to train these administrators/leaders, as the movement recognises that these positions require particular skills, and is not only left to those who can garner enough votes to the position at election time.
In cricket and football, the method of selecting/electing a leader, seems to be skewered in favour of a few, who pay scant regard to the wishes of the majority of those whose financial support guarantee the very survival of the sport. It is now irrefutable that spectator/fan support for the game is at an all-time low. The ranking of the one-time indisputable kings of world cricket, the Windies, has now descended to the level where we have to play against the so-called minnows of the sport in order to qualify to be a part of major competitions. Which means that the Windies are now minnows.
Without saying a word…without spitting out sentences in anger…West Indians, all over the world have been embarrassed again, shamed...Their lives now indelibly stained by the notation of a demotion.
Demotion is never easy to accept, especially when one believes rightfully or wrongfully that it is unfair, unjustified, inequitable and downright unnecessary.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced last week, what we all expected but still hoped would not materialize, that the West Indies team is now outside of the top eight ranked teams in Test cricket for the first time in our history. And I should say, that takes some doing, given the teams below us, as only Zimbabwe has recently been introduced back into the Test arena and newcomers Ireland and Afghanistan will shortly join the fray. Effectively we are last.
Naturally, if all of this mattered to Cricket West Indies (CWI), then there could be serious concern among the various territorial boards and even in the countries themselves, but sadly that is not the case. Because like it or not, Insularity has not only raised its ugly head under this current administration but it has also soared to new heights.
Former Pakistan legspinner Mushtaq Ahmed has signed a one-month contract as West Indies' spin-bowling coach.
Mushtaq's contract with the PCB as the National Cricket Academy head coach ended last month and the extension takes effect from July, allowing him to take up the role with Cricket West Indies.
"It's a privilege to work with the West Indies cricket team," Mushtaq told ESPNcricinfo. "They have produced many greatest cricketers and I have wonderful memories playing against a few in the 90s. They probably are not the same force in the world cricket at this stage but they still have a consistent pipeline of exceptional cricketers coming in the system. It's a short contract but still a month-long deal is ample enough for me to create a difference."
The New Zealand pair of Luke Ronchi and Mitchell McClenaghan complete the ICC World XI line-up for the fund-raising Twenty20 International against the Windies at Lord’s on 31 May.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Ronchi and fast bowler McClenaghan join a host of stars who have already confirmed their participation in the Lord’s match, which is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean which were damaged due to hurricanes last year.
The team, to be led by England’s limited overs captain Eoin Morgan, includes Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik (both India), Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik (both Pakistan), Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal (both Bangladesh), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka) and Rashid Khan (Afghanistan).
Eoin Morgan said: “It’s a great honour to be leading a side which has a selection of players from a number of nations, and I can’t wait to get on to the field for what promises to be an engrossing contest.
“The build-up to the event on 31st May has been very exciting with new additions announced on a regular basis, and the anticipation has been growing daily. I’m sure all the players, including those of the Windies side, are eager to play at Lord’s.
“It’s a fantastic feeling that we will be all getting together for a good cause. The cricket fraternity should be very proud that the funds raised from the match will help rebuild the stadia in the Caribbean and also contribute to the growth of the game.”
Johnny Graves, CEO of Cricket West Indies, has made it clear there will be no Test return for Trinidad and Tobago’s Darren Bravo in 2018. Bravo, 29, has not played for the regional side since his infamous Twitter rant against CWI president Dave Cameron in November 2016.
The left-hander lashed out at Cameron for spreading misinformation concerning his contract with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), controversially calling him a “big idiot”.
Both parties have mended their differences, though, but Bravo is yet to make his return to Windies colours. Graves, in a telephone interview with Newsday on Tuesday, said the talented batsman will not feature in the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka in June or the two-Test rubber with Bangladesh immediately after. “He’s gonna struggle to get straight back in the side, so that probably rules him out of the summer tours.
I don’t think, having not played any cricket in the long format for so long and just playing T20s, you can just walk back on a Test team and be expected to perform,” Graves said.
