'All for Hall'

If a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, then the Reverend Wes Hall, the new president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), is off and running.

And if his first step in bringing some calm to the administration of the game in the Caribbean, after the turmoil in the board's management, is an indication of things to come then West Indies cricket is in for better days.

That, in essence, is the report card of the first few months of Hall's term and it has come from Julian Hunte, a former vice-president of the WICB, and now is now vice-president of the Windward Islands Cricket Board.

"The first thing one would have expected him to do is what he is doing now, and that is to make an assessment of the overall situation before he comes out with his programme," said Hunte, St Lucia's foreign minister and minister of foreign trade.

And out of Hall's evaluation of the state of the game should emerge a blueprint that would take the game forward and put the Caribbean back on top of international cricket.

"Wes' vision as to where we go from here, which should include infrastructure and a development programme that is necessary for cricket in the Caribbean, all of this will help," he added. "It's crucial."

With the Cricket World Cup competition scheduled to be played in the West Indies in 2007, the cricket administrator and cabinet minister thinks the Rev. Hall has "much on his plate".

To begin with, says the politician, there is the issue of the troublesome finances of the board that Hall must grapple and try to resolve.

"He has come in against a backdrop of a lot of controversy and my understanding is that there are a lot of problems with the finances of the board," he said.

Next is the restructuring of cricket in the region.

Then, there is the need to improve the infrastructure, the playing facilities, media accommodation and things like that.

"He also has the international cricket scene to think about," added Hunte. "There is the 2007 World Cup that is supposed to be held in the Caribbean region, the United States, Canada and Bermuda. "The year 2007 is just around the corner and there is a tremendous amount of work which has to be done with respect to the infrastructure in order to accommodate that World Cup series."

For instance, what Hall and his team of administrators must work on, suggests Hunte, are the facilities for the thousands of journalists from throughout the cricketing world who are expected to cover the World Cup games.

With St Lucia planning to build a new cricket stadium, Grenada's ground already in fine shape, and Barbados moving to spend large sums to bring its facilities up to international standard, the pressure is building on the administrators for efficient and quick action.

Hunte admits to being worried about the situation in the region.

"Generally speaking the state of West Indies cricket is one of some concern and we hope that Hall, whom we all know well will give us some idea as to the state of cricket and what is needed to be done to bring it under some measure of control to the satisfaction of all the fans, including myself, in the Caribbean and abroad," was the way he put it.

Hunte served for several years on the West Indies Board but had to give up his position as vice-president when he became St Lucia's Ambassador to the United Nations about four years ago.

He told the MIDWEEKSPORT that making the necessary improvements to the infrastructure would prove costly but the money must be found to undertake it.

As the former second in command of the cricket board's hierarchy sees it, the new president must give top priority to the continuing efforts to upgrade the level of play on the field.

Given Hall's knowledge of the game, his exploits as one of the world's leading fast bowlers of the 1960s and his experience as a touring manager, the Barbadian, according to the St Lucia minister is wellplaced to get the job done.

"Wes is very capable but it is not something he can do alone," said Hunte. "I don't believe anybody would think that he isn't up to the task. He has the experience and he has had the exposure in the past and I have no doubt that he will be able to deal with it effectively."

In addition, he can rely on the help of a host of well-wishers in the region, including Hunte himself, Pat Rousseau, the Jamaican he replaced as president, and on the assistance of a host of former test stars who have much to contribute to the game.

"There are the support mechanisms within the Caribbean," stated Hunte. "I am sure that Pat Rousseau would be prepared to offer any advice. The Pat I know is a person, whatever happened not withstanding, will not withhold valuable information to Wes."

As a matter of fact, the Windward Islands Board's vice-president thinks the WICB leader should put together a "consortium" of individuals from throughout the West Indies who would help him carry out "his massive task that he has on his hand, which is the rebuilding of West Indies cricket".

Like Hunte, Hall is a former minister, having served in the Barbados Cabinet for at least seven years beginning in 1986 after he won a seat in the Barbados House of Assembly.

During his playing career for the West Indies, which began in the late 1950s, Hall appeared in 48 Tests and captured 192 wickets.

One thing Hall has going for him is that having hit rock-bottom, the standard of play in the Caribbean is on the rebound, says Hunte, and with a good crop of young players either in the side or waiting in the wings for their shot at representing the region, the future looks good.

But much will depend on the kind of encouragement and coaching they receive.

That's why Hunte wants the Board president to tap into the reservoir of good coaching talent that exists in the West Indies, and high on that lists is Joel Garner, who like Hall is one of the internationally famous fast bowlers of yesteryear.

"There must be a group of young people, there are in the Caribbean who need to be coached and assisted and there are people in the Caribbean who can help," said Hunte. "A fellow like Joel Garner must not be left out of the process. He has been excellent with our `A' team. There are people who can help and once we involve them, I feel certain we will come out of this with our heads high."