If it was the intention of the Stanford administration to provide an example of professionalism and team preparation they probably succeeded. Only time will tell the impact the lessons presented will result in any long term learning.

Not only has the squad been selected for the million dollar battle against England months in advance but the players have already been offered contracts in readiness of the game to be played at the Stanford Ground in Antigua on November 1.  Given this early planning there should be no last minute hiccups to spoil the eagerly anticipated contest.

The players recently ended a two week camp held in Antigua. It involved 31 players from across the region. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is representing Durham in the English County Championship, was excused from the camp. He remained eligible for selection and was named in the squad of 17 announced by Chairman of selectors Sir Viv Richards.

The camp provided the opportunity for players to take part in skill development and fitness development activities as well as video analysis of their game. Seven practice matches were played which gave selectors Sir Everton Weekes, Curtly Ambrose, Lance Gibbs, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts, Courtney Walsh and Sir Viv the chance to see the players in action before making the final selections.

Undoubtedly the task of selecting and preparing the squad for the tournament would have been far easier than the negotiations that resulted in the agreement to play the series of matches between England and the West Indies. The match on November 1 is the first of a series of five to be played over the next five years.

While it would be naive to acclaim Stanford’s administrative team as a model of perfection there are many lessons our own WICB can learn from them. What the committee has done is ensure that certain basic and for the most part commonsense principles have been adhered to.  They have recognized that it is better to address issues of fitness several weeks prior to competition rather than risk injury to players by putting them through challenging and possibly even new physical activities immediately before competition.  Another camp is to be scheduled before the big match in November and it will be interesting to observe where it is slotted in and the nature of the program the players will be expected to carry out

The Caribbean has no shortage of knowledgeable individuals trained in physical education and other sport and fitness related areas. It is left for the WICB to identify them, seek their advice and respond positively to their guidance.

The WICB is not well known for following the recommendations of their technocrats, but that is a policy they may be forced to change as part of the strategy of reversing the fortunes of West Indies cricket.