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Are the West Indies cricket team fighting to be crowned as the world’s best Twenty20 outfit because of the mechanisms of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)? Or should that be despite the mechanisms of the WICB?
(Copyright AFP 2016/Punit Paranjpe)
No matter who triumphs when the West Indies cricketers clash with England at the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 final on April 3 in Kolkata, there is only one guaranteed winner in the Caribbean. And it ent West Indies captain Darren Sammy.
The Caribbean’s cricket master is WICB president Dave Cameron, even though he probably couldn’t make a single to save his life. And—this is the telling part—although he might actually be worse at management as he would doubtless be in the heat of the action.
Or, to put it another way, any of the top cricketing nations would jump at the chance to hand Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles or Lendl Simmons a passport right now. But Cameron? Not so much.
Yet here is why Cameron is a winner.
Because, once the first ball is bowled, it is the cricketers who alone are held responsible for their fate. Success and failure supposedly depend on their concentration, judgment, effort and ability. And, to suggest otherwise, is to look for excuses.
Indian bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Hardik Pandya will be cursed by over a billion of their countrymen before they go to sleep tonight.
(Copyright AFP 2016/Diptendu Dutta)
Not because of any vague notion that they could have done a better job. But because television replays showed that they delivered costly no-balls when the India team and supporters alike thought they had snatched key wickets.
In the same way, the villain of the Twenty20 final will be a reckless batsman, an uncertain runner, a butter-fingered fielder or a bowler who loses his nerve.
It is easy for armchair critics to spot the flaw in an elite athlete who spent over a decade of sacrifice, effort and practice to get to that defining moment in his or her career.
Not so simple when it comes to gauging an administrator. And that is partly because there is little understanding of their role in the first place.
If Gayle goes cheaply in the final and West Indies lose, Cameron’s supporters will argue, with some justification, that the Board cannot be blamed for a rash shot.
They are not too keen to use the reverse argument, though, which is that the WICB doesn’t necessarily deserve praise when Gayle, Charles, Simmons or anyone else hits the right shot.
The role of the administrator certainly influences what happens on the pitch but it won’t be measured by match winning shots or game turning bowling performances.
(Courtesy WIPA)
The administrator’s job is essentially to give the team under their care the best possible chance of success. Or, to put it another way, to take away any excuse that outfit might have for non-performance.
It was the job of Cameron and his Board—not WIPA’s, although they do have their part to play—to ensure Sammy and his crew went to India in the right frame of mind for success.
Did they?
However you answer that question would bring you nearer to the truth than weak arguments that West Indies’ appearance in the Twenty20 final in itself proves that Cameron must be doing something right.
In the same way, a finance minister is not necessarily a genius because his term coincides with oil prices of over US$100 a barrel. And another minister is not a disaster for having the misfortune of serving when prices are below US$50 a barrel.
They must be judged based on their competence in handling the issues under their control.
So just how good are the current bunch of West Indies players?
(Copyright AFP 2016/Punit Paranjpe)
Cricket fans will be immersing themselves in highlight reels and statistical data to answer that question over the next three days and beyond.
It would be worth considered the value of the WICB to this team too. And, please remember, you won’t see the evidence of their work in YouTube clips.
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they never take responsibility for failure so why they wanna take credit for their success. when they fail it’s the players fault, 2 hen they succeed it’s the good work or the Board, hypocrites.
Caricom people we need to start
The WICB need to be disbanded.
Hell nooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The West Indies were motivated by criticism to win this trophy and you cannot begrudge their joy after the final. This is a group of cricket islands that have gone through turmoil with the worst board in the world alienating their own players.
They have talent at all levels and can be strong in all formats if supported and rewarded properly. If that anger and determination to prove people wrong can be channelled the right way then the West Indies can be a force again in Test cricket.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2016/04/03/ben-stokes-will-be-hurting-for-a-long-time-but-he-will-recover-f/
Why in the face of victory we lose all objectivity and practical thinking? How can the WICB in good conscience claim credit for the gained results?
A plant appears on one’s property and save for an occasional wetting all you do is avoid rooting it out completely,but you find ourselves gleeful and boastful when produce appear and you shamelessly lay claim on the grounds of property ownership. The WICB has a duty and function to carry out as do the players on the field. The minute the synergy expired our cricket has been plagued with problems. This was spawned when professionalism was introduced and earnings became more tangible and rewarding, the product that is/was cricket has since suffered. The magic marketing miracle that is T20 provided a fast-food style impetus that saw franchises being established worldwide.
So when our players sought to cash in, the board ill prepared and out of step only created animosity and acrimony between themselves and players, as they attempted to block players. Instead of working out a fee system as an administrating body, it wanted to act as an agent so that all monies would be channeled through them and they would compensate players as operates with ICC games. Thus came WIPA and the battles raged on much to the detriment of cricket.
The WICB had us in the last 50 over World Cup with an ill prepared captain and a team short of quality players that they(WICB) was punishing for standing up for better compensation. Many of the same players due to the victimization that extended to test selection chose to retire from that format to avoid continued exploitation. Since the abandoned tour of India the WICB has been seeking revenge. No one has chosen to question why the board has allowed the BCCI to want to inflict two sets of punishment. A demand for compensation as well an abandonment of their tour of the Caribbean. You cannot or should not punish twice for one transgression.
The WICB in its revenge lust has allowed us to be unable to qualify for the Champions trophy due next year. Lasana you would at this point be better poised to list all the did not and unable to projects that is enough reason to explain why the WICB is not in a position to claim credit. These players went into this competition laying claims aside and putting region first and still according to the captain and other players they were not properly treated; yet despite it all, went on to win. Congrats to the players and coaching staff,well done.
He has been living off the board for a long time with the unfettered freedom of the Board’s credit card so the question about who is paying who’s bills is relevant, not just to the “critics” but to Cameron. Unless the articles of association of the Board were changed, no Director should have executive authority.
Very consistent from Cameron. We can count on him for his usually “off key” tweets.
I don’t see any direct relationship between the teams success and the WICBC administrators. Cameron and messers must go.
They all should have been gone after Bravo and the Captain made their comments.
Hmm potential slight softening of stance from previous idiotic press release
“For immediate release
Sunday, April 3, 2016
WICB PRESIDENT HAS HIGH PRAISES FOR WORLD TWENTY20 ORGANISERS
St. John’s, Antigua – West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President, Dave Cameron has high praises for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the BCCI (host organisation) for a most memorable 2016 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. Cameron thought that the “tournament was of the highest quality and the Indian fans and others from around the world, came out in full support of cricket.”
Obviously overjoyed that the West Indies teams took the double, Cameron noted that the tournament was “an all-round success.”
The President would like to however apologise for what could be deemed inappropriate, comments made by the West Indies’ male captain, Darren Sammy in a post-match interview and would like to apologize on behalf of the WICB, to the millions of fans who witnessed. The President has pledged to enquire the reason and will have the matter addressed.
Coming up in May this year, the Board will host its annual review (retreat) with the players, WIPA, selectors and the technical team to review player, management and technical plans. This will be done after the Indian Premier League. The President said further: There are players who are currently committed to playing in the T20 cricket leagues around the world and we are aware of that schedule, hence the plan to meet at that time. We want to see how we can find common ground in ensuring that the best players in the region are available for selection for West Indies teams. We are fully aware of the financial rewards on offer in the lucrative international T20 leagues, but we believe deeply in the importance of cricket to the people of the region and of West Indies cricket’s place in world cricket. It is therefore a priority to have all of our players competing and available for selection. We will also engage the ICC on this so that we protect not only the rich heritage and legacy of West Indies Cricket, but also its future. “
Thats not softening, its politics. They have exposed him
Ye I don’t buy it
Who puts out such a press release after your team creates history
They needed to send out a media release about the men’s victory that mirrored the congratulations they offered the women.
They did technically
FROM THE DESKS OF THE CEO AND PRESIDENT, Michael Muirhead and Dave Cameron
“The men, women and under 19 teams within the last three months have made the West Indies a region worthy of tremendous attention by being the best at the international level in World Cricket. We are indeed a proud set of people today and we want to thank ALL OF YOU for your tremendous support. The men’s team has been electric and exciting in their performances during the tournament and we are all PROUD. This is a defining moment for Cricket and we ought to thank each and every one of our Directors, Management, Staff and supporters for the support West Indies Cricket has received. This is a truly ecstatic moment and we are indeed proud of this momentous achievement. The T20 format is a springboard to the other formats and we will use this as an opportunity to continue the development work we have to do to make the overall cricket product better. The men executed their comprehensive plan and we are pleased with the results. We salute the entire delegation on the hard work and commitment showed. We congratulate the team and management.”
What he apologising for, Sammy does not pay his bills.
The man is a laugh a minute
What shit he talking. Steups!!
He forget who paying his bills?
Wow
..Gaddam! THAT is arrogance..
https://mobile.twitter.com/davec51/status/716717140791791616
“There have been four reports into the governance of West Indies cricket in the last few years. Other than Shivnarine Chanderpaul, nothing has been as consistent in West Indies cricket in that time, or as ignored. The basic tenant of these reports is that West Indies cricket needs to be independent rather run by each individual board. It is cricket’s ancient roots restricting growth, development and independence, again.
The latest report has only been out for a few weeks but the WICB have already decided to look at previous reports instead, and have already sidestepped this one. But in good news, they have decided to change their name to Cricket West Indies. Which was from a report in 2007.
In the same period of time they have also had two player strikes. They have become a laughing stock, the sort of team referred to as ordinary even by other boards, and they play politics at every level, even in selections. They have been dragged into professionalism, often against their own will. When the players went on strike in 2009 Bravo talked about the conditions. “They got my surgery done for me. They paid for the flights and that was it. From the time I got back home my whole rehab programme was on my own, everything.” This was one of their most important players, handling his own rehabilitation, and paying for it himself.
All of this after Australia had built one of the greatest sides in cricket history, on the back of natural talent, and the most professional structure cricket had ever seen. The West Indies don’t just have to beat other cricket teams, they have to beat their own system.
Even recently they suspended their own coach. Their administration are like a lost team bowling in perpetual death overs with wet balls and no strategy to Gayle and Russell on a postage stamp.”
Smh. Mel Lissa, that idiot does know that Caricom in fact helps pay their bills eh. Steups.
Exactly
That’s what kills me with them. You must be answerable to the person’s that pays your salary!!!
Who is he responding to though? Caricom or the cricketers?
The cricketers I’m sure
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/995019.html
“My whole obligation was to West Indies cricket. As I have always said, I have never made a run for me,” says Garry Sobers. He starts to cry as he says, “I have always played for the West Indies team”. Now his voice is breaking as well. “It was such a pleasure and joy to be able to do what I did. Records meant nothing.” Sobers pauses and then says: “The team was important. I don’t think we have the kind of person today. We might have them in Sri Lanka, in England, in Australia, but I don’t think we have that kind of person in the West Indies cricket anymore. Who is quite prepared to play and give it everything, to their country.” Then Sobers pauses again, and is voice is breaking as well, “and that hurts”. Now he is properly upset and he is struggling to even get his words out. “Until we can get people who are willing to play for the West Indies, in the right way,” Sobers closes his eyes for a moment, “I think we are going to be struggling for a long time.” Later he says, “I believe that a lot of West Indian cricketers today want to make Test cricket and do well, because the IPL is around the corner, and they can go there.”
This was a press conference from October last year. It went viral as headlines around the world screamed about Sobers’ tears. The passion for the West Indies cracked his voice, you could see it in his eyes and his pain dripped down his face.
But, he was also wrong.
When Learie Constantine first played cricket for West Indies, he had other things in mind. It was his second tour to England, and after the first he went back and worked on bowling quicker, on batting longer and moved himself to slip to conserve his energy for bowling. When he arrived back in the UK he was a much better cricketer. He was so popular that many in the crowds started coming just to see him play.
Against Middlesex, West Indies were behind the follow-on target and Constantine brought up his 50 in 18 minutes, he ended up with 86 and scored 50 more than anyone else. Then he took the new ball and ended with 7 for 57, including 6 for 11 in one spell. Their chase was then 250, at No. 7 Constantine walked in and he made 103. In an hour. West Indies won by three wickets.
But something more important had happened. The reason he had improved his game wasn’t to represent West Indies in their first Test series, it was to secure a job playing cricket in England. He needed to make cricket his livelihood, and cricket was his chance. And when Nelson Cricket Club contracted him, all that hard work had paid off.
From then on, England became a second home for many West Indian players. Some also played in Australia. When Kerry Packer came along, he essentially hired the entire side. And part of that deal was giving them a physio which many of their players still talk about as a real turning point in their preparation.
Then there was Sobers himself. Sobers was also the first globetrotting professional cricketer. His job was playing cricket on whatever continent he was needed. He once played in Rhodesia, and said he would have played in South Africa if only people would have stopped giving him grief about it. On one occasion he had to be convinced to play for his country by Richie Benaud and Don Bradman, as the fee would be less than what he got in Lancashire League cricket for Accrington. He was Chris Gayle before Chris Gayle was, and he was better at being Chris Gayle, even off the field, than Chris Gayle ever was.
That is the truth of West Indies cricket. The T20 leagues haven’t changed anything. To be paid for their skill, to become professionals who improve as cricketers, players have always had to go overseas.
Mel. You lie! !!! I DO NOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!
That’s what he tweeted!
I copied and pasted from Twitter
I realise but I’m stunned!!!
Lasana Liburd everybody lying on the board and Cameron et al us the saving grace of WI cricket #missmewiththeBS
President Cameron @davec51
“When is the last time a critic paid one of your bills? Always remember that when you start to give them your energy.”
If I recall (with much agony) the speech made by Samuel’s and Sammy lamented on how the critics gave the team and certain individuals a hard time. Critics are what they are unless pushed they are good for thought provoking articles and not much more.
The critics pay no ones bills, they don’t need to be given any energy.
Lasana did you see Cameron’s response?
Nicole Ulerie: “The country’s cricket is not in right hands. We have not got a telephone call from any of the WICB officials or directors. That’s not a good thing. We know that they did not want or believe that we could win this tournament. It was basically us against them. Even the BCCI does more for us,” Bravo told ‘Star Sports’ in a post-final interview.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-t20/bcci-gives-us-more-support-than-wicb-dwayne-bravo-after-wt20-title-win/story-S2Qs6hcrNygW9QFHwbBQrL.html
“The country’s cricket is not in right hands. We have not got a telephone call from any of the WICB officials or directors. That’s not a good thing. We know that they did not want or believe that we could win this tournament. It was basically us against them. Even the BCCI does more for us,” Bravo told ‘Star Sports’ in a post-final interview.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-t20/bcci-gives-us-more-support-than-wicb-dwayne-bravo-after-wt20-title-win/story-S2Qs6hcrNygW9QFHwbBQrL.html
On a side note to the womens game, I don’t watch it much – but this girl Hayley Matthews could really bat
Do u know d highest paid n d Caribbean Salary n Perks is d WICB PRESIDENT check it out
We have to get ppl on the boards in the various boards who are not afraid to vote out this backward board.