Message Board Archives

I truly was of the opinion that West Indies cricket, as an entity, was necessary for us to be able to compete at the highest level, and to not languish at the associate level.

This WC qualifying tournament shows that we can't even do that. There is no fire, no passion, our boys show up like a fete match and whatever happens, they get paid anyway.

If we can't get it done as a united unit, then I truly believe that it is time we go our separate ways, and fight our way as individual nations/entities, because what we have is clearly not working. Maybe the passion of playing for their country itself would give back some spark.

The rot is deep, and I don't know if it can be rescued without severe surgery (which won't happen so long that WICB is not answerable to anyone else).

In reply to SPK

There are major consequences with that decision

In reply to imusic

I am very aware of it. But the longer we languish in this position, the longer we take to get our affairs in order to start repairing.

Because this WC highlights that we are not good enough as it stands. We are falling further and further behind, and not doing anything to correct it.

Look at the plain current facts:

We are barely competitive at Test level, all that's separating us from the Associates is experience really - the more chances they get, the more the other teams show inclinations to improve.

ODI - we are middle of the pack in the better Associate level teams as of now.

T20 - better of the Associate-level teams, with a chance to spring a surprise or two.

At no level are we consistently performing with the best of them. One series win every few years against a higher ranked team does not mean we are improving - a broken clock is right twice a day.

Something has to give.

In reply to SPK

I concur with your view and synopsis. If no one seems to be able to get the six territorial boards operating under the umbrella of CWI to function as a collective then the arrangement should be dissolved, and the six boards go it separately. The better run boards will make a fist of it.

Pressure has to be applied locally to individual boards to remove themselves from the collective. It can be done. Just make it financially viable to do so. As it is no one but the boards know how much money they get from CWI, who in turn get ICC money. Find that out and increase the sum. Govt's already are major stakeholders in Caribbean cricket since they provide the stadia and associated facilities for CWI to host cricket. They are best poised to funnel money into territorial boards.

Those who have an issue with government involvement in WI cricket need to figure this: WI cricket lost its relevance once the anti-colonial sentiment of the islands of the Caribbean were sated post the independence movements of the 40,s through 80's the same period WI dominance emanated. The countries that makeup CWI are now independent sovereign countries, and the post-2000 generation is now more concerned with country imperatives rather than West Indian nation identity. Cricket like most other colonial initiatives has suffered the curse of nationalism brought about by independence. WI no longer THINK as a collective.

WI governments drive this nationalistic focus, and they perforce have to act to redress the imbroglio that West Indies cricket has become.

then I truly believe that it is time we go our separate waysIn reply to SPK

Your sentiments are heard and felt far and wide.

If he were here , the late C.L.R. James would suggest to you... it would be a massive admission of failure
if that were to happen. A failure that would reverberate beyond the boundary and out the car park. A failure on many levels
that further reflect on our ability to conduct our affairs in pursuit of a common interest.

In reply to johndom90

I don't make such utterances lightly, my whole life I have been staunchly behind the WI, win, lose or draw. It truly breaks my heart to even think about it, but I think it is time. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

If we truly tried and lost, I would understand, but this just felt like they didn't even try. They were defeated before the toss.