Slow start but teams step up-best of strokes

In spite of the low-keyed start to the Division 1 competition, a few teams managed to register victories in the first round. Empire, Carlton, Pickwick and Wanderers made light work of their opponents and are on the top of the points table.

The Schools North took first innings honours from Cable & Wireless BET and confirms the argument that they are the stronger of the two schools teams.

Spartan and Police have started the season poorly and this might be an early indication of a significant shift in power between the clubs at the Division 1 level.

Wanderers and Pickwick may well be on the way back to the front row, while Empire, the most consistent performer in local cricket, will be my favourites to win the championship 2000.

Police will badly miss the leadership of Leslie Reifer and the inspiring dominance of medium-fast bowler Sylvester Louis, leaving the doors wide open for an even championship race.

The Best of Strokes would put good odds on the CHIC Schools North to be among the top four teams at the end of the season.

Unfortunately, however, the ugly complaint of poor umpiring has surfaced at the very start of the season.

My brief investigations have pointed to a few in the first round where the players were openly in disagreement with some of the umpiring decisions.

Not perfect

While I agree with the president of the Barbados Cricket Umpire association (BCUA), Mervin Jones, that umpires are not perfect and will not always be right in their decisions, the fact is that many players believe that the umpires are wrong too often.

The Best of Strokes has always held a liberal view on umpiring in Barbados and recognised the difficult task which the umpires face.

Nevertheless, more has to be done by BCUA and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) to ensure and maintain the highest level of fairness and competitiveness in the sport.

If a team is not happy with the performance of a particular umpire, what is there to stop that club from delaying (or even withholding) payment of the daily fees?

The system at present relies essentially on the 'goodwill' which exists between clubs and umpires.

At the level of Division 1, the BCUA should secure the funds for servicing all games in advance from the BCA, which is obligated to include umpire's fees in their sponsorship arrangements.

If, however, it is necessary to supplement the sponsor's allocation for such fees, then clubs should be required to make two advance payments to the Barbados Cricket Association on or before June 1, and September 1, during the cricket season.

The BCUA will have a greater obligation to assign the best umpires to Division 1 games with the assurance of payment for such services being conducted in a business-like manner. The BCUA, in my opinion, needs to be more outspoken and proactive on all matters which impact on the continued development of cricket in Barbados.