The Editor, Sir:

In principle, I take no real exception to the editorial in yesterday's edition of The Gleaner. However, the author of the editorial could be viewed in the same critical manner as he did in chastising those who have defended Marlon's "indiscretions" over the years. This is because, on the face of it, he was equally 'quick to judge our brother Marlon wrong' without even the benefit of the eagerly awaited presentation of the findings from the West Indies Cricket Board- (WICB) assembled panel.

Furthermore, the fact that such panel includes so-called eminent Caribbean legal luminaries does not automatically endow them with infallibility.

Powerless

A majority decision, whether the editorial agrees or not, suggests that not all members of the panel agreed with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) findings that they reviewed, and/or that the minimum ICC punishment of a two-year ban simply is too harsh a penalty for the infraction committed.

Finally, it seems that the WICB, by virtue of the low international ranking of West Indies cricket, has determined that it shall remain powerless in advocating vigorously on behalf of its resources - the cricketers and umpires, in particular.

India, for anyone's information, does not see it that way, and will go all out to defend its cricketing personnel. Do we need to remind ourselves of the despicable act of the ICC in removing West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor from officiating further in the recently concluded series between India and Australia Down Under, after 'a little pressure' from the Indian cricket board?

I am, etc.,

WINSTON STEWART

messengjah@msn.com