Sir Wes criticizes Cameron retweet as ‘torrentially tasteless’

Former West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Sir Wes Hall has described the decision by the current president Dave Cameron to retweet a message critical of opening batsman Chris Gayle as ‘torrentially tasteless’.{{more}}

The criticism by the legendary West Indies fast bowler came during the Barbados Cricket Association’s (BCA) 2014 award ceremony held on February 27 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

“I am an ex-West Indies player and I have an unconditional love for cricket and for all people especially those who have been privileged to wear the maroon. I want to warn our president of the West Indies Board as he tweets his language falls short of the diplomatic niceties. His retweet about Chris Gayle was torrentially tasteless. Oh, what a privilege and honour it would have been for a president as in the past, congratulate Chris Gayle on the greatest double century in a one day international,” said Sir Wes.

In delivering the feature address, the cricketing icon had words of wisdom to those in attendance, especially the cricketers including the females as he spoke on the topic In Pursuit of Excellence.

“The secret of joy in work is conveyed in one word and that is excellence. What is this thing call excellence? Is it an elusive quality hanging meticulously out of one’s reach? The answer is no. For excellence can be achieved by all of you young people through hard work, discipline, hard work, dedication and a willing determination,” Hall explained, adding, “Talent alone don’t mean world class but discipline work ethic, maturity, consistency.”

Hall made the point that some people speak about excellence but fail to mention female cricketers.

“How come we talk about excellence in the West Indies and don’t mention our female cricketers? I think that they have done us [well] in the last few years. We have some wonderful women cricketers, Stephanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Hayley Mathews. I think that is fantastic and while our men have taken that fall from grace you ladies have risen to the top and I also feel that we have to congratulate all those ladies. We have to congratulate those coaches too, our own [Sherwin] Campbell and [Ezra Moseley] Moses, we have to congratulate Legends of Barbados.”

President of the BCA Joel Garner, in his welcome address, said for the first time a women’s team will participate in the second division competition, which is slated to start sometime in May.

“This, we believe, will make them better equipped when they face other regional teams and international competitions,” Garner said.

During the event, Sir Wes was presented with an achievement award along with another cricketing great Charles Griffith who was not present.

Hayley Mathews captured the President’s Award and was named female cricketer and emerging cricketer of the year, while senior national player Jomel Warrican captured the most outstanding male title.

Also receiving achievement awards were Peter Douglas, Roxanne Forte, Irvin Harris, Nigel Newton and Julian Worrell.

Chad Williams of Guardian General Barbados Youth was named Young Male Cricketer of the Year and Antonio Greenidge of Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme was the Most Improved Male Cricketer.(Barbadostoday)