Commemorating Cricketing Achievements

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves made an important observation last month when he commented on the failure of regional cricket authorities to fittingly organize activities to mark the unofficial ascendancy of the West Indies cricket team to the top of the global Test cricket ladder in 1965. This arose out of the team’s victory in the five-match home series against Australia, having conquered England and India in the two previous encounters.

It is a pity though that his insightful comments were laced with barbs apparently aimed at the current leadership of West Indies cricket with open broadsides against the current President of West Indies cricket, Dr Kishore Shallow, now a political opponent after apparently defecting from the governing ULP.

It is sad since this tends to obfuscate a genuine concern among regional cricket lovers. But as the adage goes, “it is an ill wind that blows nobody good”, and politics apart, the comments made in the article do have some merit and can serve to stir healthy discussion on the issue of our failure to adequately commemorate critical regional sporting achievements, cricket in this case.

The West Indies team under Sir Garfield Sobers in 1965, the successor to cricketing giant Sir Frank Worrell, did not reach that pinnacle by luck or favouritism. Our cricketers had to confront all kinds of social, racial and economic challenges to arrive at the top. The administration of the game rested largely with the white power structure in the region, and it took more than 30 years before a black man, in this case Worrell, was entrusted with the captaincy of our team. So, to overcome these formidable obstacles and reach the top, the first non-white team to do so, was indeed a remarkable achievement.

Thus Dr. Gonsalves’ lament on the failure of regional cricketing authorities to suitably commemorate the achievement has merit, notwithstanding the political undertones. However, it can be pointed out that since the election to office of our Prime Minister, who has demonstrated both undying interest in, and commitment to West Indies cricket, the 40th, and 50th anniversaries of the 1965 achievements have passed without any significant recognition, regional or local. But that is beside the main issue.

Also, very relevant to the discussion is another significant achievement by the West Indies, ten years later. This time it was not just an unofficial title. On June 21, 1975, the West Indies again beat Australia at the hallowed Lords cricket ground in England to win the Prudential Assurance one-day trophy and be formally acclaimed as world champions. It was the first such official title in the history of cricket.

Again, the Prime Minister’s comments on the lack of official initiatives to mark the occasion, are right on the ball. It is sad that an occasion like this may pass without adequate recognition. It set in motion a reign of over two decades, during which, except for the irresponsible loss to India in the 1983 World Cup final, the West Indies bossed the international cricketing scene. Significantly, the incomparable Vivian Richards of Antigua not only became the first “small islander” to be appointed captain of the West Indies team in 1984, but he has the enviable record of never losing a series.

Today when West Indies cricket has long lost its championship aura, it is vitally important, that in addition to administrative and on-field efforts, we make every effort to inspire the younger generation to get back to the top of the ladder. We appear to be missing two glorious opportunities.

Yet all is not lost, but we must avoid petty reactions and knee-jerk responses. Late it may be for significant commemorative activities, but the story must be told and inspiration given to our youth to fuel the long trek back to the top.