THE EDITOR, Sir:

READING TODAY'S editorial on the fact that West Indies cricket heritage was not considered in choosing the new coach, I was immediately struck by the following statement: "The coach is simply a man who teaches people how to bat, how to bowl, and how to field." Now, before I say anymore, I do agree with the conclusion that if we cannot find a coach in the West Indies of the calibre to lead a team to a championship based on our heritage, it is sad commentary on West Indies cricket. The comment quoted above though indicates why we might not be able to do so.

First of all, the coach's job is not to teach batting, bowling and fielding; we have specialists in those areas to teach the necessary skills - batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach. If West Indies cricket does not have those elements in its organisation, it is quite obvious what their issues are; their competition has those elements in their organisation.

If the coach's job is not to specifically teach those things, what are they to accomplish? Key aspects of his job is to coordinate the coaching staff's efforts, manage team dynamics, identify talent, set framework for grooming players, etc. If those are the criteria, then we realise not 'just' anyone can accomplish those goals well enough to win a championship.

I am, etc.,

DALE ROBINSON

dale_e_robinson@yahoo.com

Plantation, FL

Via Go-Jamaica