Full credit to 'The man' Adams

Given West Indies cricket, Jimmy Adams is 'the man', so he should be given credit for inspiriting his team to victory and for showing mature leadership.

That, in essence, summed up the reaction of West Indians in New York to the one-wicket dramatic victory by the West Indies team over Pakistan in Antigua yesterday.

To West Indians, regardless of their country of origin, Adams was seen as the key factor in the ability of the West Indies to take the series 1-0 from Pakistan.

'If you blame the captain when the side loses a Test or a series, then you have to give Adams full credit for what was an exciting match and an interesting series,' said David Cumberbatch, the creator and driving force behind Caribbean Sports.com, an Internet news and sports service that's based in New York.

'For the first time in the last few years, we are seeing a West Indies team that's playing to its potential and we certainly get the impression that the team is playing with him and for him,' the Barbadian said.

'I am really looking forward to England.'

Like most people contacted by the Daily Nation, Cumberbatch believed the victories against Zimbabwe and Pakistan give the West Indies a psychological edge going to England.

'Pakistan is a much stronger team than England and if we can beat Pakistan, and with the team playing to its potential, I think we are going to England as favourites,' he said.

Vernon Hazelwood, a Guyanese who is a former director of strategic planning for the United States National Episcopal Church, agreed.

'The team is doing the best with the talent of its members, and that's happening largely because of the inspirational leadership of Jimmy Adams,' Hazelwood said.

'He is one of the main reasons why the side is performing as a team. It's clear that they now have team spirit. It's not that Lara wasn't an inspiration. Far from it. But he inspired the players one way, and that was with his batting. He can really bat and turn any game around by his performance. But from a leadership point of view, Jimmy Adams is the man.'

Karl Rodney, a newspaper publisher in New York, said Adams' leadership and his ability to get the players to focus and play to their potential made the difference.

'It feels good that the West Indies side is winning again, after the disastrous overseas tours of recent years,' said Rodney, who is from Jamaica. 'It does something for us as Caribbean people when our side wins. It can be by one run or one wicket, a win is a victory, however you look at it.

'Certainly Adams must be showered with praise. But we shouldn't forget the contributions of Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, and Wavell Hinds, indeed, the entire team. Cricket is a team sport and Adams has been able to get the players to come together and that's important.'

George Griffith, Barbados' Consul-General in New York City, spots a rebirth in West Indies cricket after the failures of recent years and he credits Adams for much of that.

'We are seeing a renewal of the spirit of West Indies cricket,' he said. 'I believe a lot has to do with the teamwork inspired by the captain.'

That's why the West Indies Cricket Board and fans throughout the Caribbean and in the West Indian diaspora must let the side know that it has the people's enthusiastic support, urged Griffith.

'With our support and that of the board, the team can and should be victorious,' he declared. 'I think I speak for all West Indians in New York when I say that the news of the victory was a delight. With Lara back in the side for England, the West Indies will be in a good position to emerge victorious.'

Una Clarke, a Brooklyn politician who is a member of the New York City Council, was ecstatic about the victory.

'All of us in Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, wherever West Indians live, work and play are delighted with the victory,' said the Jamaican.