The demise of WI cricket
published: Thursday | August 26, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I SHALL not read this letter when it appears ­ my blindness will see to that, but I trust that it will stir awake the sleeping conscience of the WICB, that august body responsible for the demise of West Indies cricket. Over the years it has, like a medieval demigod, robbed our team of highly talented players for reasons that are frivolous and vindictive ­ cases like those of Patrick Patterson, Franklyn Rose and Marlon Samuels readily rise in our consciousness and proclaim our downfall ­ awesome cases of poetic justice.

One last word: coaching of our batsmen can be a terribly unproductive exercise. The batsman's vision ­ his "angle of detection", may be different from the normal and makes him accomplish with consummate ease what the textbook perfectionist could never do. The batsman should be made fully aware of the different means by which he can be given out and encouraged to avoid these. Beyond that his duty is to make runs and, of course, in the manner easiest to him.

For my part I would prefer the batsman who makes a hundred inelegant runs in each innings, than the epitome of elegance who rarely reaches the half century.

I am, etc.,

COL. C.L.G. HARRIS

Moore Town