West Indies: The story of the Messiah From Genesis to Revelations(15 Dec 1997)

Sunday, December 14, 1997

West Indies: The story of the Messiah From Genesis to Revelations

By GARTH WATTLEY

'TIS the season of miracles, they tell me. But when I look at the scorecards from Pakistan, all I see is misery.

"Come let's honour the greatest Miracle Worker of them all," they tell me.

But I'm not buying.

At this point, putting the Christ into Christmas concerns me far less than searching for a saviour for West Indies cricket.

And as I wrestle unsuccessfully with the thought of the Caribbean's game going back 69 years in a single series, it's not to Genesis I'll turn for the explanation but to the book of Kings.

I'm hopeful that some of Solomon's wisdom will give me a new insight into the crisis involving Brian Lara and the West Indies cricket kingdom.

The Prince of Port of Spain may be a bible-reading man, I don't know. But I do know that these days he needs some prayers.

They are not dissimilar, the wise man and the Prince. But it's not old Solo's faith but his fate, I fear, that provides the link between Lara and him.

One, possessed of the wisdom of the ages and political power from Jerusalem to Judah, was the chosen man of his age. The other, the modern-day master of the willow, crafted a kingdom worth its weight in runs from Kingston to Karachi.

But Solomon was unable to resist corrupting feminine fancy. He put God out his thoughts and his kingdom crumbled.

So, the 375-dollar question today is this: What will become of the kingdom that Lara has been building?

Indeed, whither the Prince? Whither West Indies cricket? Speak, Figures, for us.

Of the four series the Caribbean side has played this year, including the 1996/97 tour Down Under, Courtney Walsh's side have won two and lost two.

And two of the worst series in Lara's 48-Test career were the 2-3 loss to Mark Taylor's Australians and the recent 0-3

Whitewash/Blackwash/Brownwash at the hands of Wasim Akram's men. After averaging virtually one fifty per Test before 1996, in his last 27 trips to the crease, the star batsman has now chalked up ten single figure scores.

In the space of a year, the once-imposing average of 60.32 has declined by almost 10 to be 51.66.

And for 1997 alone, there is another drop to 42.88.

Food for thought... and cause for concern!

It would be simple to put the Prince's paltry scores down to purely poor form. But poor form, we are told, particularly for those of proven class, is temporary. Which makes the lengthening list of mediocre scores less easy to explain.

This is especially so since, the crafted innings that have temporarily illuminated the bedarkened landscape speak of anything but skill on the decline.

The 132 made on a crumbling Perth pitch in 1995 was a technical triumph over the Aussies and Glen Mc Grath-the 1990s Headley conquering his Verity. The 103 made in Antigua against India evoked shades of swashbuckling Sobers.

And the 115 against Sri Lanka in St Vincent? Both a rescue act and a geometric delight, a rare big match innings on a big match occasion. So what has slowed the pace of the genius?

Is the crisis one of cricket, or of character, the character of West Indian cricket as a whole?

The game in the region is experiencing the birth pangs of the new era which is reluctantly coming into being.

And the question of who wields power-and who should take the lead-have become flagship issues.

But many, it seems to me-perhaps even the would-be Messiah-are missing the point.

Is the real issue anyone's right to lead or the quality of Lara's leadership?

For in truth, the Prince has been the West Indian leader since 1992. He assumed that mantle that January day in Sydney when Richie Richardson watched him climb the ladder to 277. And when he reached the top in Antigua that April day in 1994, the Prince's leadership, his authority both as leader of the pack and champion of the West Indies cause was undisputed.

No formalising of the arrangement was necessary. Not yet. But Lara, the passing of time has shown, has been less than patient about the rites of passage.

Two years on from the very public disputes in England in 1995 and the subsequent pullout from the World Series tour of Australia, it all appears to be one wasted bacchanal.

Because the man whose favourite sport is obviously not Follow The Leader does not seem to understand the real game.

It's not the plays you call, Brian, but the plays you make that count. Forget about Pat Rousseau's special seal.

If Lara is not to lose his inheritance, if the prodigal son is not to give up his moral right to lead, he must pull his weight. At least with runs.

It is the proven quality when fully tested that ultimately defines the man. And which man can really lead if he does not know how to follow? Ask "His Airness."

During the days when he was a king without an NBA crown when he learned that even royalty was fallible, basketball maestro Michael Jordan was already the mental master.

Whether in the prime of health and drilling in 63 playoff points or near exhaustion and pumping in a vital championship 38, Jordan has always been a case of waiting to excel, not to explode.

Leading not by word but by deed. So if the demons come calling, friend, check out Solomon: He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly." And bat wisely, Prince, bat long.

Ganga hits 60 in third trial

NATIONAL Under-19 skipper Daren Ganga led from the front yesterday, as his side fought to give itself a chance of victory in the third cricket trial in preparation for the 1998 season.

Ganga, leading one team against the Richard Smith XI on the second day of action at Gilbert Park, struck 60 in his side's second innings total of 192 for 6.

The Ganga XI score came after the Smith team, replying to the Ganga squad's first innings score of 133, made 195 for 9. Skipper Smith with an even 50, opener Leon Romero (30) and bowler Mukesh Persad with a useful 41 not out. Bowling for the Ganga team, pacer Marlon Black took 3 for 18.

Facing a deficit of 62, Ganga, with the help of 40 from Leon Romero and 24 from Imran Jan, have established a lead of 130 with four second innings wickets still intact.

Today is the final day of the game.

Scores:

Ganga XI 1st innings: 133 (Z. Ali 59, K. Hazel 4/48, M. Persad 3/33) Smith XI 1st innings: (o/n 95 for 3) 195/9 R. Smith 50, L. Romero 30, M. Persad 41 not out. M. Black 3/18.

Ganga XI 2nd innings: 192 for 6 (I. Jan 24, L. Romero 40, Darren Ganga 60; Mukesh Persad 2/27).

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)