SPORTS COMMENTARY

Utilising former West Indies talent

by Philip Hackett

Tuesday,  February 28, 2006

It is no secret that many Caribbean people prefer and often place a higher value on things, ideas and people from outside our region.
Culturally we readily embrace North America. Those who claim to be more ‘conscious’, search elsewhere for their ‘roots’.

It is probably this ‘foreign is better mindset’ that opened the door for the first non-West Indian cricket coach, despite the wealth of talent we already possess. The fact that Bennett King has also been given an Australian support staff, unquestionable power and support systems his West Indian predecessors never enjoyed, support my view.

That the results have not been consistent with the financial investment undertaken by the WICB is not fully the fault of King as the board has been distracted by the fracas between itself and the WIPA. The unavailability of players resulting from this has made it difficult for King to make any meaningful headway as would have been the case had even Houdini been in charge of the team.

These realities do not absolve King of his responsibility, as those who held the position before him also worked under less than satisfactory conditions and had much less support from the board.

King replaced Gus Logie just when it seemed the team had been making some headway. We will never know if the success in the ICC Champions Trophy would have been the catalyst for dramatic improvement, as Logie was relieved of his duties and Lara, after his most successful tournament at the helm, found himself out of favour because of the sponsorship row.

In the midst of a turbulent year the Stanford project emerged to offer hope. The foreign element was again present in the form of the Texan businessman though he would probably be quick to point to his close Caribbean business connections.

The 20/20 project has had its critics but there is no denying the lessons that can be learned from Stanford primarily through his use of human resources. His level of thinking and approach are surely not consistent with anything we have seen in Caribbean sport, especially cricket.

Some cricket purists prefer to focus on the format of the competition, scheduled for Antigua in July, but they are neglecting the positive aspects of Stanford’s involvement.

Stanford has found a way to utilise the knowledge and experience of our former greats and reward them handsomely too. It is something the WICB has struggled to do, much to the bewilderment of many, including former Test stars like Curtly Ambrose.

Prior to the announcement of the Stanford 20/20, Ambrose told me of his frustration at not being invited to lend assistance in a coaching capacity.
“Administrative level, no! Coaching level, yes,” Ambrose responded emphatically when quizzed about his willingness to be involved in regional cricket.

“Since my retirement, or even before that, I always said that when I finish with this game I would love to give back what I have learned over the years to West Indies cricket, especially the fast bowlers. I don’t think I was the worse. I think I have learned something over the years and I am just waiting for the opportunity to help these guys. Up to now I have not been asked so I am still waiting,” said the former fast bowler who took 405 wickets in 98 Tests.

“I have said it many times, interviews in the papers, on TV and the radio whatever, and any opportunity I get. Everywhere I go people kept saying to me ‘you have to make a comeback you know or you have to work with these guys or stuff like that’. I’ve always said that I would love to help,” Ambrose said.

Unable to suggest a reason why he has not been asked by the WICB officials, Ambrose quipped, “Maybe I wasn’t good enough, I don’t know, it’s a tough question, but I am here to offer my services any given day.”
The Stanford 20/20 has now given Ambrose and the other legends the chance to make an impact on the development of cricket throughout the region.

Philip Hackett is a freelance sports journalist and a cricket radio commentator.

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