D.K. Duncan AS THE mound announcer encouraged Corey Collymore and Chris Gayle to demonstrate the dance moves to Elephant Man's popular tune, echoes of CLR James' masterpiece "Beyond a Boundary" seemed to pervade Sabina Park late Sunday afternoon.
The surplus of bottled water brought about by an early end to the second Test match was used to douse Brian Lara and his teammates. Indeed most cricket fans in the vicinity got a cleansing. West Indies Cricket itself may have got a proverbial cleansing. Lara was back.
From David Rudders - "Rally round the West Indies" to Mr. Lexus' - "Full Hundred" the West Indies team passed the first 100 of the 212 runs needed for victory. Cricket as life, presented itself in all its glory.
RENEWAL
Youth and renewal was exemplified by the young pace bowlers - 19-year-old Jerome Taylor and 21-year-old debutante Fidel Edwards. A revitalised Corey Collymore outdid himself. Clearly propelled by the vision of the leaders like Vivian Richards and Brian Lara, among others, the youngsters surprised many but pleased all. It must have been difficult for the captain to support only one Trinidadian in the eleven - himself. Leadership, however, requires more than personal loyalty where the bigger project is at stake. Merv Dillon showed no signs of acrimony in his body language and could remain as part of the renewal so critical to sustainable development.
ONE LOVE
As the mound selector turned to Bob Marley at "Tea time", the Sunshine Girls paraded before an appreciative Sabina Park crowd. The George Headley Stand appreciated their ball skills while the distant Mound welcomed the Reggae Boyz. Fresh from Caymanas Park where a race was run in their name, the Boyz prepared through relaxation at cricket to proceed next week to compete for the CONCACSAF Gold Cup.
The Netballers preparing for the World Games here in Jamaica continued to dominate centre stage while Captain Brian Lara and Vice Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan prepared for the post-tea session.
A leadership succession strategy had been arrived at since the departure of King Carl (Hooper). The new leader - the Prince of Port of Spain - revelled in his second term - as the heavy dose of youth and new energy organised itself around him. Batting with the scintillating style and intermittent savagery of Rohan Kanhai before him, the new vice-captain left the Jamaican fans satisfied that he may be able to bear the twin responsibilities. The connoisseurs in the George Headley Stand appreciated it. The revellers on the Mound loved it!
CRICKET AS ART
The post-tea session provided the fans with a run feast. As if relishing the presence of the Sunshine Girls and the Reggae Boyz, the leadership of the team led by example. Quietly negotiating the wiles of two of the world's best bowlers - Muralitharan and Vaas - they seized the opportunity to complete a 161-run match winning partnership. This, with a one-day batting rate derived from strokes befitting the dignity and aura of Test match cricket. Fixity of purpose and continuity of effort was the hallmark of a post-tea session which impressed and delighted the off field participants - beyond the boundary.
CRICKET AS SCIENCE
However as Hilary Beckles points out in his book "The Development of West Indies Cricket" - Vol. 2 (1998) - "Cricket has now lost a significant part of its traditional reputation as a high art." He continues, "Art has been replaced by science --." Beckles argued, among other things, for the recognition of the game moving apace with technology - especially the pre-planning necessary for effective field placing and strategic bowling - not to maintain responsible batting. Citing the positive use of technology by the Australians in the 1995 tour - he argued for a wide set of initiatives to be taken by the West Indies if the Caribbean Nation and our Cricket are to survive. In the cricketing arena, some measures like the Academy in Grenada and the deeper involvement of the University of the West Indies have been implemented.
CRICKET AS LIFE
Cricket, like life has to move with the times. The activities beyond the boundary will continue more and more to play a critical role. In the final analysis, the supporters and fans are critical. Having won the final Test match against Australia earlier this year there was a full turnout of diehard, sympathisers and uncommitted at the One Day games. The diehards and some sympathisers came to Sabina on Sunday.
Vision, leadership, including leadership by example, youth and renewal, succession planning, the creative blend of Art and Science - fixity of purpose - continuity of effort as well as the human touch of Collymore and Gayle's Pon de River - Pon de Bank can play a significant role in bringing back the uncommitted. One love, One Heart.
A dental surgeon, Dr. D.K. Duncan was the General Secretary and Government Minister in the PNP Administration of the 70's. E-mail: dktruth@hotmail.com.
