ALTHOUGH being one of the most vocal critics of T20 cricket, Jamaica and West Indies great Michael Holding says he fully understands Caribbean players’ decision to focus more on franchise than international cricket due to the significant financial rewards it offers in the long run.
Regarded as one of the region’s best players of all time, the “Whispering Death” claimed close to 400 wickets in 162 caps for the Windies in Test and One-Day International cricket combined. The Jamaican pacer, who made his debut in 1975, also won the World Cup in 1979 while finishing as the fifth-best wicket-taker with eight wickets from four matches.
During his commentary career, which he retired from in 2021, Holding refused to be part of any T20 international match or tournament broadcast, stating that “it’s not even cricket”.
Over the last decade, the commitment of players from the region has been questioned due to their participation in international franchise tournaments while the West Indies have underperformed in all versions of the game.
However, Holding has come to their defence and says it makes sense for them to secure their long-term future.
“What we need to recognise in the Caribbean is that we need cash to care. We are cursing cricketers at the moment for not making themselves available to West Indies to play in a lot of our tournaments and a lot of our series around the world but we have to recognise that cricket today is a career and a living. Cricketers, and sportspeople in general, do not have a long time at their sport or their profession so they have got to maximise their earnings,” he said.
WEST Indies legend Deryck Murray said it is important for past cricketers to feel appreciated for their efforts. Murray was speaking following the news that the West Indies Retired Players Foundation received US $500,000, that apparently went missing.
The money, a gift by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was sent to CWI between 2013-2014. The funds were never received until recently.
Queen's Park Cricket Club president Dr Nigel Camacho, a committee member of the West Indies Retired Players Foundation which was formed in 2013, spoke about the money at the Caricom Cricket Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain on Friday. Camacho thanked president of CWI Dr Kishore Shallow and CWI CEO Johnny Grave. "Thank you Dr Shallow, thank you Mr Grave that this month the money finally arrived in the account of the (West Indies) Retired Players Foundation," Camacho said.
"My message to you is that finally we have a retired players foundation that hopefully is for the retired players, to help the retired players after their playing days...given the legacy of our magnificent team of the 1970s and 1980s I look forward to the future."
CRICKET West Indies (CWI) president Dr Kishore Shallow said he is aware of concerns of alleged financial mismanagement in the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), saying he will continue to advocate for greater accountability.
In December 2023, then TTCB treasurer Kiswah Chaitoo revealed that approximately $500,000 was allegedly misused over a five-year period. Another TTCB employee has since resigned following the revelation.
TTCB board members passed a motion of no confidence against former treasurer of the board Kiswah Chaitoo in February.
For Chaitoo to be removed, two-thirds needed to be in favour of it. At the end of the voting process, 35 wanted him to leave and 12 were against, which is more than two-thirds.
Chaitoo, an experienced forensic accountant, said he wanted to protect his name and reported the matter to the Fraud Squad.
Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding said he was disappointed to hear what was happening in the TTCB. He was speaking virtually on day one of a Caricom Cricket Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain on April 25.
“Just recently, I saw a report about something happening in the TTCB where someone (Chaitoo) saw the discrepancies and reported it and that person was sidelined,” Holding said. "Come on, folks, we have to face things like that and do the right thing.”
WEST Indies batting legend Brian Lara said the region will continue to fall behind in world cricket if better facilities and technology are not provided for the players.
Lara, who is in India doing commentary for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament, was speaking virtually on day two of the Caricom Cricket Conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain on Friday.
West Indies were a powerhouse in the 1970s, 1980s and in the first half of the 1990s.
Despite having an abundance of talent, the facilities were not in place to further develop the ability of players in the Caribbean, said Lara.
“The lack of good facilities and academies with the right technology to grow the game kept us aside,” Lara said.
Gudakesh Motie’s brilliant all-round effort fired West Indies-A to a 10-run victory over Nepal in the second Twenty20 of the five-match series here yesterday.
With his side slumping at 115 for seven in the 18th over, the left-handed Motie arrived to smash a sensational eight-ball unbeaten 33 as West Indies ‘A’ rallied to 160 for seven off their 20 overs at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.
Andre Fletcher top-scored with 43 from 36 balls while captain Roston Chase weighed in with 23 from 22 deliveries.
The 29-year-old Motie then returned with his left-arm spin to claim two for 22, a spell which helped to restrict the hosts and draw West Indies ‘A’ level in the series ahead of tomorrow’s third encounter.
