Time to move on. Time to be decisive! Time to act in the best interest of all! So today, I want to tell CWI we now have reached the critical time where all evidence, all the facts and records, and all the mistakes and errors emphatically demand a change in policy and thinking.The West Indies was knocked out of the T20 World Cup in a close contest on Sunday. Losing by five wickets with four balls to spare. But the reality is that the West Indies lost. It was a fighting performance that would’ve surprised most but not all. Daren Sammy did well; perhaps he and his team exceeded even their hopes and desires, but the collated evidence suggests they were out-thought, out-manoeuvred, and perhaps even ill-equipped in the first place.
So, I am asking CWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chris Dehring, a man I have known for a long time, and while we may not always agree, I have full respect for his knowledge and business acumen, so now I am testing his calm demeanour and whether he can orchestrate the changes needed and how much he is willing to fight for what is right. Because trust me, I expect him to receive objections and obstacles towards any change from some who are blinded by the words “bureaucratic failure” as an excuse for mediocrity.
The West Indies (ranked 7th) defeated Scotland (ranked 14th), England (ranked 2nd), Nepal (ranked 18th), Italy (ranked 26th), and Zimbabwe (ranked 11th) but lost to South Africa (ranked 5th) and India (ranked 1st) in that ICC (International Cricket Council) contrived order when it mattered the most. We can consciously identify areas of selection, tactics, and judgment calls that assisted in those defeats. It should be noted that the West Indies will receive US$380,000 for finishing in positions 5th to 12th but have lost out on the same major prize money that could have greatly assisted West Indies cricket had they reached the semifinals, where they would have received US$790,000 as losing semifinalists or for playing the finals; the runner-up receives US$1,600,000 and the winner US$3,000,000. It appears the West Indies not making at least the semifinals may have the CWI and their accounting unit reviewing budgets. Over to you, Chris Dehring – the ball is now in your court. Let the region watch your serve!