STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT IN WEST INDIES CRICKET

By Oscar Ramjeet

 Hours after the President opf the west Indies Cricket Board announced that West Indies cricket is now undergoing a "structural adjustment" three West Indies batsmen scored centuries including a doublet century.

The double century by Ramnaresh Sarwan and centuries by skipper Brian Lara and middle order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul certainly gave a boost to the Windies team because their performance against Bangladesh and England was far below standard. However the trio rounded off the home series against the two teams with some degree of hope for their tour in England which begins within weeks.

WICB President Teddy Griffith said that the Windies team had been caught by the wind of change both on and off the field which swpet through world cricket from the mid 90s.

He added "if it is true that there is no stronger force than cricket to unify us regionally and give us pride, then we must all be prepared to go to bat for the regional game. He added that there will be no gain without pain and the way forward must entail the involvement of those with the skills, talents and ideas "to lift us up"

Griffith made a good point when he said that "it was no secrett that the professionalism bred in English county cricket had been a major factor to the success of the all conquering West Indies team of the 80s and 90s. He pointed out that, compared with those days when as many as 20 West Indian cricketers played in the County Championship, the number of regional players involved in English domestic cricket today could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

He added "with that avenue virtually cut off, the opportunities for regular high-class cricket so necessary to develop a player's skills and attitude have become limited" He said that these are not issues that can be resolved overnight, particularly given the financial position of the game in the Caribbean. He said, however the WICB has been takint action to bring our cricket back to the elevated position in world

cricket that its talent suggests it should attain.

The WICB President however did not mention that in the 80s and 90s the WICB did not have so many coaches, administrators and technicians to assist the players.

He also failed to mention that our players need to be more disciplined in their approach to the game.

He touched on injuries and questioned whether there is a link between the high amount of injuries to players and the volume of international cricket being played and asked " could it be that there is too much of a good thing" Could it be that the stresses and strains of non stop international competition are having an effect on the injury levels?

The Windies just compled two series in the Caribbean against England and Bangladesh and without enough rest the players have to travel to England to participate in a series of tests and One day Internationals against England and New Zealand.

The final test match in Jamaica has certainly given our boys some degree of confidence. I am certain also that young Ramnaresh Sarwan is happy that he has finally made a double century in a test match and he was undefeated. Perhaps if he was allowed to bat he could have made a triple century and perhaps even surpass Lara's 400.