West Indies: Time must be given

Immediately after the extremely disappointing tours of Pakistan in 1997, South Africa in 1998/1999 and New Zealand in 1999/2000, the West Indies Cricket Board (W.I.C.B.) acknowledged the fact that the West Indies Cricket Team would be going through a period of `rebuilding'. It was acknowledged and widely accepted throughout the Caribbean that the West Indies would be entering a phase that many cricket teams endured during the past such as the Australians of the 80's and the Englishmen of the 90's. However, at the end of another unsatisfying tour, scapegoats are being unceremoniously called out, board members and management are being attacked, selectors are being blamed and cricketers are being ridiculed.

After the determined efforts of the resolute Jimmy Adams here in the West Indies and two enthralling series victories against Zimbabwe (2-0) and Pakistan (1-0) all assurances of a rebuilding period were long forgotten and Rome was seemingly built in a day. The above mentioned Jimmy Adams was touted as the `new saviour' of West Indies Cricket, old heroes Ambrose and Walsh were bowling better then ever (which they still are), young guns Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle looked the part and above all we were winning and winning without Lara at that! The dream that was at least two or three years away had exploded into an immediate reality and the West Indies were a band of new sensations that were unbeatable despite the fact that the foundations of the rebuilding process had not been laid.

After the realities of an English summer, however, had sunk in, the West Indian cricketers and their supporters were shattered. It was a `true' test for the West Indians as they faced a rejuvenated English squad in conditions that have never suited West Indian Cricketers (as I quickly learnt this summer myself). The West Indies won the first test in dramatic fashion and Lara returned to old form, yet we lost, comprehensively (3-1) and were crushed in the one-day series.

So the West Indies have faltered again, closer and closer to the depths of the World Test and One-Day Ratings, heads are again being and scapegoats sought to take the blame. But then, wasn't it only recently that West Indies' fans had finally come to accept that patience was required while the rebuilding process takes place?

Success is not a destination quickly arrived at. It can be a long and arduous journey arrived at by steep and difficult roads. Such roads can conquer high mountains. Let us be realistic and give our cricketers some time, time nurtured by patient support, time to travel those rough roads, conquer those mountains, and arrive once again at the summit of world cricket.