Let’s talk cricket

Several events recently have necessitated this week’s focus on aspects of the sport of cricket — locally, regionally and internationally.

First up, commendations are in order for the Kishore Shallow executive for its efforts to refresh the annual prize giving ceremony.{{more}}

Last Saturday’s event, held at the Murray Heights Hotel Conference Room was indeed an improvement on previous years’ undertakings.

There was visible intent to package the ceremony in a timely manner, away from the drab and “long pants” affair which characterized such undertakings in previous years.

Added, attention was paid to décor, seating and other trappings suitable for such a ceremony.

Also, the choice of the feature speaker – Dr Joel Warrican, was apt, and his oratory and handling of the topic were much to write home about.

How appropriate was the chosen theme: “Integrating Education for Cricket Development.”

It is a pity that Warrican’s remarks would fall on deaf ears, as for certain, our cricketers both here at home and in the region, need to become all-rounders in their knowledge of the sport, its history as well as their roles in the enhancement of the Caribbean psyche.

But the current executive of the SVGCA would not have walked away from the venue, being totally pleased at the entire proceedings.

They must be chided for issuing their invitations via electronic mail to the media less than forty-eight hours before the event.

Whatever the reasons, an oversight, this was unacceptable.

They also erred in their failure to give citations of the two special awardees, in Jules Anthony and Wendell Glasgow. This is a faux pas that must not be repeated.

And, as was the norm over the years, some of the awardees were not present.

Is it that persons are still in the mode that the ceremony is just another function not worthy to be part of?

The task is for Shallow and his team to ensure that the annual ceremony has flair, pomp and detailed planning, which would in turn lift the outlook of Cricket in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

But all is well that ended well.

Also last weekend, St Vincent and the Grenadines hosted its first match in the new professional format of the West Indies Cricket Board’s four-day tournament.

Started in early November and touted as an opportunity to fillip the diminishing passion for the sport in the Caribbean, the tournament in its four rounds of matches thus far, is the same old same.

No one is lighting up the venues with tons of runs, whilst mediocre bowlers are hauling in bounties of wickets.

Teams, despite the contracted players given a monthly salary, which ranges from US$1,500 to $2,500, plus match fees of $1,300, the performances mirroring that of the recent past.

The team scores are still below 100, and below 200 with regularity.

This sort of school boy type showing of our “best” regional players, just tells half of the story why the West Indies is eighth on the test and One Day International tables.

Worst of all, there is no buzz about the tournament, in spite of the professionalization processes which are in train.

With all the negatives which are surfacing in West Indies Cricket, people have resigned themselves to oblivion to the regional game. How sad a tale?

No one seems to care that the West Indies would be engaging world number team – South Africa from next week.

Those who do are predicting, wishing and even praying for a mauling, a white wash, a humiliation for the West Indies.

Much of the disdain and nonchalance towards the team, though have come from their recent abandoning of the India tour.

And, who can blame persons for feeling that way, as they felt let down by the players’ action then and many remain bitter and unforgiving.

It would take more than just a win in one series or consistent good performances for the West Indian population to begin again to believe in West Indies Cricket.

Such is the stark reality.