Regional first class and limited overs cricket in the Caribbean appears to be continuing its long slide into oblivion. For the first time in memory, there is no coverage in Jamaica of that country's first class or limited overs matches. In Trinidad, former West Indies paceman Colin Croft commented that he had to search the airwaves to find the cricket, eventually finding coverage only on one weak station with poor reception.
The situation doesn't seem to be much different in Barbados, where commentator Andrew Mason noted that the first round match between Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago came very close to not being broadcast because of a lack of sponsorship.
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HEADLINE: Dead Air Foreshadows Death of WI Cricket?
HEADLINE: Dead Air Foreshadows Death of WI Cricket?
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 7:09 AM
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 7:28 AM
In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
This should quiet all the misguided folks who sought to blame the "media" for lack of coverage. If the listeners don't tune in the media loses money. The media is not a non-profit organization. They should not be forced to carry unprofitable programming.
One of the primary functions of an umbrella organization of a sport is to promote the sport to the population. The real question is what has the WICB done in the past 20 years to promote cricket and make it relevant to the public? When folks aren't showing interest, it means that the WICB has failed miserably in its management of the sport and they need to be radically reformed or replaced as the stewards of cricket in the Caribbean.
I frankly do not think the WICB is up to it.
Crosskill was frank in his response, noting that his station in 2006 carried an unprecedented amount of cricket, which was never fully sponsored, resulting in significant losses for his station.
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very few listeners under the age of 35 show any interest in cricket let alone regional games
--- snip ----
very few listeners under the age of 35 show any interest in cricket let alone regional games
This should quiet all the misguided folks who sought to blame the "media" for lack of coverage. If the listeners don't tune in the media loses money. The media is not a non-profit organization. They should not be forced to carry unprofitable programming.
One of the primary functions of an umbrella organization of a sport is to promote the sport to the population. The real question is what has the WICB done in the past 20 years to promote cricket and make it relevant to the public? When folks aren't showing interest, it means that the WICB has failed miserably in its management of the sport and they need to be radically reformed or replaced as the stewards of cricket in the Caribbean.
I frankly do not think the WICB is up to it.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 7:46 AM
England saw the same problem with young people and cricket. So they brought in 20/20 which brought youngsters back to the game.
The WICB has totally ignored 20/20. And so have the clubs and schools.
Cricket isn'y dying. It's being killed by incompetent administrators.
I mean just look at the ass poor billboards in JA for the World Cup. Just that iodiot looking Mello and no WI players or JA personalities like Asafa Powell saying "We're Gonna Win It!"
It really is sad.
The WICB has totally ignored 20/20. And so have the clubs and schools.
Cricket isn'y dying. It's being killed by incompetent administrators.
I mean just look at the ass poor billboards in JA for the World Cup. Just that iodiot looking Mello and no WI players or JA personalities like Asafa Powell saying "We're Gonna Win It!"
It really is sad.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 7:48 AM
Simon has identified the growing loss of interest in the game and the poor standard of play as reasons for a lack of sponsorship. this is very serious but no one really wants to address this lack of interest in a meaningful way. When I joined this MB i thought this was a place for serious discussion about this game that some of us claim to be so passionate about. Unfortunately, most here love only trivial matters where they can demonstrate their nastiness and insularity.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 7:54 AM
In reply to bobby
How do you propose it be addressed?
this is very serious but no one really wants to address this lack of interest in a meaningful way.
How do you propose it be addressed?
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 7:57 AM
In reply to Zikdaman
20/20 in schools and clubs.
The main reason young boys don't like cricket is cause it tek too long.
Alan Standford is the only he sees the obvious and the WICB trying to fact him up.
20/20 in schools and clubs.
The main reason young boys don't like cricket is cause it tek too long.
Alan Standford is the only he sees the obvious and the WICB trying to fact him up.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 7:58 AM
The severe lack of business ingenuity, skills and bold risk takers permeate the entire West Indian society & culture resulting in a sham for region that is ripe with opportunity. However, when an opportunity drops on their front door (WC), they find ways to screw it up, with their myopic world view, and their shortsighted economic strategies.
Our primary product on the world market is not given an opportunity to grow and mature…..the seeds that will deliver more fruit to continue the product line are thrown into the barren desert of West Indian incompetence and foolishness to germinate and mature.
This problem is not a cricket problem, but a basic regional economic problem. Fix the economic situation, and Cricket will flourish again. We are living in a new world. Let us stop lamenting about what we cannot change and focus on what we can change and how to go about doing it.
Our primary product on the world market is not given an opportunity to grow and mature…..the seeds that will deliver more fruit to continue the product line are thrown into the barren desert of West Indian incompetence and foolishness to germinate and mature.
This problem is not a cricket problem, but a basic regional economic problem. Fix the economic situation, and Cricket will flourish again. We are living in a new world. Let us stop lamenting about what we cannot change and focus on what we can change and how to go about doing it.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 8:15 AM
In reply to sabina
The stanford success I believe had as much if not more to do with the brilliant marketing drive he undertook to promote his tournament as it had to do with the format of the game.
In other words, 20/20 unmarketed will die just as quickly as unmarketed 4 day cricket is dying.
The failure as I see it is a failure of marketing. Sure I think 20/20 cricket is a welcome additional format. But I don't think for a minute that it is the saving grace of cricket.
Cricket needs a good marketing body.
20/20 in schools and clubs.
The stanford success I believe had as much if not more to do with the brilliant marketing drive he undertook to promote his tournament as it had to do with the format of the game.
In other words, 20/20 unmarketed will die just as quickly as unmarketed 4 day cricket is dying.
The failure as I see it is a failure of marketing. Sure I think 20/20 cricket is a welcome additional format. But I don't think for a minute that it is the saving grace of cricket.
Cricket needs a good marketing body.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 8:19 AM
In reply to Zikdaman
You got to get cricket into the schools. If young boys stop playing any game it dies in 10 years.
And 20/20 is the way.
You got to get cricket into the schools. If young boys stop playing any game it dies in 10 years.
And 20/20 is the way.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 8:22 AM
In reply to sabina
Young boys will play just about any game if it's marketed properly to them. young boys in India play regular cricket because it is marketed to them properly.
Young boys will play just about any game if it's marketed properly to them. young boys in India play regular cricket because it is marketed to them properly.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 8:26 AM
In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
But when the cricket is broadcasted and persons are asked to pay a small fee for internet access for example, even those who can afford it decline. So we are all part of the problem. Remember the vicious attacks on Allen Stanford when he supposedly crossed into sacred territory...that sinful charlatan, how dare he?
I remember saying that WICB should work with him rather than take on the position of adversary. You don’t have the money to do the things you would like to do for West Indies cricket, but here is somebody who has the means. You tread cautiously yes but it just seemed like WICB’s attitude was if you Stanford, doh do what we want we gone jook you!
That seemed to be Lara’s stance too…talking about, he eh put no stock in the 20/20 form of the game. He never showed up in any of the games, never lent his image or anything to the effort and suggested to WICB that they should not give an inch, no negotiation when it came to the Pakistan tour. They all seemed to forget the big picture…the young kids out there who should be made excited about the game. And the game itself, how it will morph and grow and change.
I remember some ppl on here giving all kinds of reasons why the 20/20 championship would hurt the game. And b/c Stanford did not give his money to WICB to do with as they pleased some said that the tournament would do nothing for the game in the region. Can you still say it did nothing? Did it upset the A-team tour? Who knew about young Pascal or Pollard before this? Do you all think Murray’s place would have threatened were it not for the opportunities given to the young players? Whose batting or bowling was worsened for the tourney?
Larr asked me back den what I would not sell? Well people everybody has to transact in some kind of denomination in life. You have to give something in order to get. Supposed pragmatic citied folks like Larr should well versed in that. funny though, I never heard that question asked of Teddy and the others when they saddled WI circket withat stink deal wid Digicel.
But when the cricket is broadcasted and persons are asked to pay a small fee for internet access for example, even those who can afford it decline. So we are all part of the problem. Remember the vicious attacks on Allen Stanford when he supposedly crossed into sacred territory...that sinful charlatan, how dare he?
I remember saying that WICB should work with him rather than take on the position of adversary. You don’t have the money to do the things you would like to do for West Indies cricket, but here is somebody who has the means. You tread cautiously yes but it just seemed like WICB’s attitude was if you Stanford, doh do what we want we gone jook you!
That seemed to be Lara’s stance too…talking about, he eh put no stock in the 20/20 form of the game. He never showed up in any of the games, never lent his image or anything to the effort and suggested to WICB that they should not give an inch, no negotiation when it came to the Pakistan tour. They all seemed to forget the big picture…the young kids out there who should be made excited about the game. And the game itself, how it will morph and grow and change.
I remember some ppl on here giving all kinds of reasons why the 20/20 championship would hurt the game. And b/c Stanford did not give his money to WICB to do with as they pleased some said that the tournament would do nothing for the game in the region. Can you still say it did nothing? Did it upset the A-team tour? Who knew about young Pascal or Pollard before this? Do you all think Murray’s place would have threatened were it not for the opportunities given to the young players? Whose batting or bowling was worsened for the tourney?
Larr asked me back den what I would not sell? Well people everybody has to transact in some kind of denomination in life. You have to give something in order to get. Supposed pragmatic citied folks like Larr should well versed in that. funny though, I never heard that question asked of Teddy and the others when they saddled WI circket withat stink deal wid Digicel.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 8:27 AM
In reply to sabina
What they enjoy is largely determined by what is suggested to them via the marketing machine. That is why in India young boys enjoy cricket.
Young boys play what they enjoy.
What they enjoy is largely determined by what is suggested to them via the marketing machine. That is why in India young boys enjoy cricket.
Sat, Jan 20, '07 at 8:35 AM
Cricket in Jamaica is dead.
I saw the signs yeas ago but refuse to believe that a country with such a rich tradition was going to let the game die without putting up a fight.
I used to do TV features on cricket but it was only the die hards that followed. I know of Melbourne trying to promote the game,(really the life of the club) and I know of Kingston CC having family cricket events back then but no one else.
The media has done its bit. I can recall cricket on and more than one station having commentary.
The JCA has to take the most of the blame. The media though has to take its share albeit a minor one.
I listen to RJR playing promos for WC and I wonder how that is going to turn out if no one in Jamaica really cares about the game.
Brings me to question, why build this new stadium if cricket isn't going anywhere. Guess it will be used for other things.
I saw the signs yeas ago but refuse to believe that a country with such a rich tradition was going to let the game die without putting up a fight.
I used to do TV features on cricket but it was only the die hards that followed. I know of Melbourne trying to promote the game,(really the life of the club) and I know of Kingston CC having family cricket events back then but no one else.
The media has done its bit. I can recall cricket on and more than one station having commentary.
The JCA has to take the most of the blame. The media though has to take its share albeit a minor one.
I listen to RJR playing promos for WC and I wonder how that is going to turn out if no one in Jamaica really cares about the game.
Brings me to question, why build this new stadium if cricket isn't going anywhere. Guess it will be used for other things.