West Indies: The Best Of Strokes

Since my return to the island last week, I was informed about all the intriguing happenings in West Indies cricket.

The rained-out first Test in Guyana, which prompted many calls for a permanent shift away from that country as an international venue; the last minute inclusion of Brian Lara in the tour of England; and the re-election of Pat Rousseau as president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

We in the West Indies must begin to practice the art of inclusive politics, co-operation and sharing when it comes to regional cricket.

Pat Rousseau's administration must always be reminded that the Board's principal business involves collaborative and all-inclusive development strategies for West Indies cricket. Therefore, we cannot simply exclude Guyana from the international calendar.

We must find other solutions that will embrace the Guyanese people into a united Caribbean jurisdiction of cricketing excellence.

A re-examination of the drainage in and around Bourda; a slightly elevated playing area with underground 'thermo-heating' mechanisms; or the creation of the first multi-purpose 'Mega Dome' in the region at Georgetown are all deserving of intense discussion.

In general, the WICB should be in a well advanced stage of reconstruction, remodelling and repositioning of itself to take advantage of the technological developments of the 21st century, more particularly for the year 2007, the 'World Cup Caribbean Style'.

International cricket requires the presence of international players, particularly batsmen. How often do you here someone say he's going to Kensington to see 'X' or 'Y' bat?

While we all admire the great bowlers who have made us a great cricketing nation, let's admit it, the game is really about batting. Brian Lara comes fully loaded and in exquisite style - 'top of the line'.

Just as golf needs the Tiger Woodses' and basketball the Karl Malones and Shaq O'Neals, cricket must have the Laras, Sachin Tendulkars.

All sports are promoted by great players, without whom a day at the beach would be a better alternative. You may recall that Ali Bacher, the South African cricket chief, insisted that Lara and Carl Hooper be part of the West Indies touring party on that devastating 'Blackwash' series in 1998.

Lara's inclusion, late or otherwise, does not merit discussion as the cricketing world (except for our English opponents, of course) welcomes him back onto the international stage.

Rousseau's return to the office surprises me in a comical sort of way. After reading Chetram Singh's outpouring of conscience about the 'one-man show' Rousseau was running from his Kingston, I really thought there was greater support for a regionalist approach to the leadership of West Indies cricket.

With the Windward Islands reportedly holding the balance of power in the last election, however, I also wonder if the two recent One-Day games held in Grenada and St. Vincent were just enough to tilt the scale in favour of Rousseau, the burly, aristocratic Jamaican leader.