Good and otherwise In 2000-Across the Board

The past year has certainly been one of mixed fortunes in West Indies and international cricket.

Given many strides to expand the game's profile worldwide, far-reaching developmental programmes and the multi-million-dollar agreements being signed for television and advertising rights to various tournaments, cricket's status has improved significantly in the last 12 months.

On November 10, cricket welcomed another 160 million people to its highest ranks as Bangladesh became the tenth country to enter the Test-playing fold. In addition, 11 other nations have achieved affiliate membership in the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the past two years: Cook Islands, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Samoa and Tonga.

Meanwhile, the ICC has been able to boost its development budget sizeably by generating a net profit of US$13 million from its knockout tournament in Kenya.

This money will fund the ICC's development programme for the next two years; promoting all aspects of cricket in non-Test-playing countries and thereby trying to increase the quantity and quality of player participation globally.

Regions to benefit

Since the programme's inception, Bangladesh and Kenya have attained One-Day International status, with Bangladesh going on to Test level. At present, Asia, Africa, the Americas, East Asia Pacific and Europe are the five development regions benefiting from this developmental thrust.

Global development of the game is a major priority for the ICC and this funding will be used to provide essential infrastructure, coaching and equipment, explained ICC chief executive David Richards.

West Indies cricket has not been left out of this quest to generate money for developmental initiatives. During 2000, two major events-the signing of a US$40 million deal with British Sky Broadcasting to manage our worldwide broadcast and Internet rights (2004-2008), and the ICC's announcement of the sale of the 2007 World Cup's broadcast, Internet and sponsorship rights for a guaranteed $US230 million (45 per cent of World Cup revenues usually accrues to the host country)-have signalled that more funds will become available for developing West Indies cricket.

In addition, there will be revenue shares from other ICC tournaments.

`Millions needed'

Speaking in the wake of these major breakthroughs for regional cricket, president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Pat Rousseau, said: "Our development plans for cricket in the West Indies will require millions and these funds will be of great assistance in that regard-with our remedial and specialist camps, Kiddy Cricket, `A' Team tours and with improving regional first-class tournaments. This is certainly going to impact positively on the board's agenda."

Such strides as well as continued strong support from sponsors such as Cable & Wireless, Red Stripe, Busta, Scotiabank, Pepsi, Carib, Sandals, KFC and Rover will stand us in positive stead as we chart a course to take our cricket back to its previous heights.

Part of our move to boost West Indies cricket is ensuring that our various publics, particularly fans of regional cricket, can tap into the latest information regarding our cricket. Shortly, a wide-ranging variety of data relating to West Indies cricket will be accessible on our website (www.windiescricket.com) when it comes on-line.

These important happenings in cricket have unfortunately been overshadowed this past year by two occurrences-one on a regional level; the other on the international scene. In the latter instance, continuing allegations and revelations of match-fixing even by some of the game's most illustrious personalities have left a bitter taste in the mouths of cricket lovers.

Life bans on former South African and Indian captains, Hansie Cronje and Mohammed Azharuddin, respectively, for bringing the game into disrepute, have sunk the sport to its lowest depth.

Closer to home, disappointing on-field returns of the West Indies Test team on overseas tours continue to concern all with an interest in our cricket.

The road back to the pinnacle of world cricket will not be easy and, as we contemplate our future, one of our New Year's resolutions must be to rededicate ourselves to supporting our cricket to the fullest. Our players and the surrounding infrastructure will require our strongest allegiance as we seek to recapture glory in which our cricket once basked.

Hopefully, with this backing, it will not be long before we are again rewarded with the kinds of performances that this year saw Courtney Walsh become the leading Test wicket-taker; Curtly Ambrose celebrate 400 Test wickets and, more recently, Ridley Jacobs earn a share of the Test record for the most catches in an innings (seven).

Until then, best wishes for a happy and cricketing new year from the WICB.