Laurie Foster | Save our cricket!

The West Indies cricket team continues, at the time of writing, its descent towards a total destruction of the elite image it once held in the world of the sport.

After having lost the first match in their home series against India, they went on to lose the second and final encounter by 257 runs after being set a mammoth 467 runs to win in two days plus half a session.

Over the two Tests, the team has been rolled over for successive innings totals of 100 and 117. All this has left a feeling among fans that this is the end of the road and that there is no coming out of the abyss into which the region’s cricket has fallen. However, the question should be asked, “is this really so?” or “can there really be a rebirth of the once beloved team, which were in better times called the calypso cricketers?”

If one takes the time to listen to some of the team’s most ardent supporters, so many strategies are being put forward to address this embarrassing slide and set the team on a path or even close to the former days of glory. No one can say with any degree of certainty that achieving this will be a reality. However, what is sure is that the present situation should not be allowed to continue without a determined effort to correct it.

An ardent fan who is a regular reader of this column has put forward the view that the team should be withdrawn from competition at the Test level. During the period of being away from that level, the game at the regional level should be strengthened in order that players would be afforded an opportunity to further hone their skills before returning to face the world of cricket. Foster’s Fairplay is not in agreement with this suggestion. Think of what it could do to a current West Indies player in his early 20s who dreams of mirroring the feats of his idol of yesteryear. By the time the return to the highest level comes, depending on the length of the timeout, he could be past his best. No one can accurately say when that could be.

Face the fire

The West Indies needs to continue to face the fire of the longest form of the game and not seek to ‘throw in the towel’ because it seems that the heat has increased its intensity. Plus, it would be a disservice to the warriors of the game of years gone by, who faced up to the hostility of their opponents and bore defeats after defeats before they were able to overcome. It would be the coward’s way out and, as such, should not be considered.

As far as the plans for bringing strength to regional cricket are concerned, that is more than acceptable. To make it happen, it will take an influx of funds which exceeds that which has so far been made available. At present, there are six territories which play in the domestic programme. These are Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands. With return matches, this offers a total of 10 matches for a winner to be declared.

If the four top teams engage in play-offs for the super title, that would entail two extra games for the finalists. This alone is still not enough to ensure that the players receive enough match practice to equip themselves for the international exposure.

Some time ago, a team from the English County Championships was invited to take part in the competition. Why not revisit this and have two teams instead? Of course, it should be two of the leading teams who would offer stiffer competition through which the region’s players may be able to further hone their skills.

There would have to be an upgrade in the marketing strategy to raise the level of interest from prospective sponsors.

Cricket West Indies – the group which has overall responsibility for cricket in this region – should engage professional marketers who have the skills to take on this exercise. With eight teams, return matches and play-offs in the mix, there should be wide television exposure to the games throughout the region and the diaspora.

Youngsters should have the opportunity of seeing their stars showcased on all forms of media. This has proven to be a viable way to attract the sponsorship dollar and should not be sidelined.

West Indies cricket is suffering and there is no valid reason for the slide to be allowed to continue. Something should be done to return the joy among West Indians all over when our men take the field of play.

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