Tony BeccaTHE West Indies poor performance continues, it does not appear that things will get better in the near future, and cricket fans around the region are blaming the West Indies Cricket Board, the selectors, the two coaches, the captain and the players.
The truth, however, is that it goes deeper than that.
While it is true that for years the Board did nothing to ensure the continued development of players, over the past few years it has been trying its best to lay the kind of foundation that will produce quality players, and while it is true that the selectors have made mistakes and that the others have performed below expectation, the selectors can only select from what is available. The coaches cannot wave a magic wand and transform the players into great players, and although he has failed to motivate the players, the captain cannot work miracles.
The truth, the naked truth, is that the cricket fraternity throughout the region has let down West Indies cricket.
There will never ever be a strong West Indies team if West Indies cricket is not strong. West Indies cricket includes cricket in the schools and in the clubs, and right around the region, West Indies cricket is weak.
Whose fault is it?
According to the fans, the fault lies with the West Indies Board and the territorial boards, and in some respects they deserve to take some of the blame. This applies especially to the territorial boards which, as far as the clubs are concerned, have done little over the years to encourage, to demand, a high standard of play.
The truth is that it goes deeper than that.
While it is true that the territorial boards, certainly here in Jamaica where too many clubs and parishes have been allowed to get away with a lack of interest and weak performances season after season, have done little to encourage and to demand high standards, the truth is that the fans should share the blame.
The truth, the naked truth, is that the fraternity do not support the game where support is so badly needed, and with the Jamaica Cricket Board of Control's competitions set to get under way this weekend, this is as good a time as any for it should make a pledge to do better.
The clubs and parishes, for example, should make a pledge to provide better facilities for players and better pitches, to ensure that the players train and practice, to ensure that they turn up for matches with a full complement of players, and regardless of their position in the standings, they should pledge to play to the best of their ability at all times.
In an effort to fulfil its responsibility as the guardian of the game in this country, the JCBC should make a pledge to be strong.
As far as facilities and performance are concerned, the Board should set standards, it should demand that those standards are met, and it should have penalties, including relegation, for those teams that do not meet the required standards and in so doing fail Jamaica and West Indies cricket.
The fans should also make a pledge.
Remembering that sponsors seldom put their money into unsuccessful ventures, that they believe they are wasting their money when they sponsor events that no one bothers to watch, and
that sponsorship is important to sport, remembering that players are not motivated by empty club houses, the fans should pledge to turn out in their numbers.
The West Indies team is going through some rough times, but it is not because the selectors have ignored good players, it is not because the two coaches are no good, and it is not because the captain cannot motivate those he leads.
The West Indies team is suffering because there are not enough good players around, because the players are not properly prepared - technically and mentally. It is all because the fraternity, right around the region, has failed West Indies cricket.
The time has come for all those who love West Indies cricket, all those who love to see the West Indies winning to get up and get involved one way or another.
