Tony Becca - FROM THE BOUNDARY THE DISAPPOINTING performances of the West Indies in recent years has left cricket fans around the region angry - so angry that they are casting blame left, right and centre.
As far as they are concerned, everything is wrong with West Indies cricket and it is time for a change - time to find some good and committed players, time to change the captain, the selectors, the coaches and the board.
While there is obviously a need for some changes in some of those areas, there is, however, another change which is necessary, and that change has to do with the attitude of the fans themselves.
Many, many years ago, the late, great Sir Neville Cardus of England said that sport, and cricket in particular, mirrors a society, and based on its support for cricket, on the number of people who support the game by their presence at matches, right now the West Indian society is not a cricket society.
A cricket society is a society that loves the game, a society that supports the game, West Indians no longer support the game as they used to do, and those who doubt that have only to look back at the recent Test series Test against England.
At every ground, local fans were outnumbered by English fans so much so that on some days there were some four visitors to every one local, and on other days it was so bad that although there were thousands of empty seats, although there could have been no excuse that the seats were sold out, there was hardly a local present.
What is even more important, however, is what happens at the club level at the level where talent is developed.
In Jamaica, local matches are attended by a handful of spectators, and listening to people talk about it, it is the same thing around the islands.
That cannot be good for the game, and it cannot be good for a few simple reasons.
ATMOSPHERE
One reason is that atmosphere is important as far as motivating players, particularly young players, to perform is concerned, the desire to perform encourages good habits such as training and practising, and atmosphere is dependent on people being present and cheering good performances.
Remembering that the development process takes money, another reason why the presence of spectators at matches is important is that sponsors respond to the games that the majority of people play and to events that attract large crowds.
Lest it be forgotten, it should also be remembered that the media also react to the games that the majority of people play and the events that attract large crowds.
Spectator support is therefore important to the game of cricket, and in laying blame for the decline in West Indies cricket, in calling for changes, the people should also look at themselves and the part they need to play if West Indies cricket is to be strong again and if the West Indies team is to return to the good old days when it was the best in the world.
The part they need to play is to come out, watch cricket, and in doing so provide an atmosphere that will attract support for the clubs and parishes and that will also motivate young players who are dreaming of greatness.
