Time to invest in WI Cricket
A CARICOM subcommittee is to liaise with Cricket West Indies (CWI) in discussions surrounding investments in the sports regionally. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told reporters this recently during the 45th CARICOM Heads of Government Summit at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Not long ago, former CWI and TT Cricket Board (TTCB) director, Allen Sammy called on CARICOM to step in to aid the “current demise that is (sic) West Indies cricket.”
This was after the team’s embarrassing performance at the One-Day International World Cup Qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Windies were dismissed for 181 runs off 43.5 overs batting first, to which the Scots responded with a victorious 185 for 3. The defeat meant West Indies, champions in 1975 and 1979, will not compete in the ODI World Cup for the first time.
Browne told reporters he has always believed there should be no external intervention in West Indies cricket. He reminded reporters that when Dave Cameron was president of CWI, Antigua and Barbuda did not support attacks against him.
He said it was clear CARICOM countries do not have the type of facilities required to develop the talent found there.
He added, “It’s not just the raw talent or having the technical skill to play cricket, but even the soft skills, in terms of the culture and the psychological orientation with this understanding that when you out there, you represent the pride of the Caribbean.” He said this issue cannot be addressed in “a very frivolous way… Because when they lose to inferior teams, it hurts the Caribbean pride.”
He reiterated that he believes the solution lies in investment, “perhaps beyond the capacity of CWI.”
“We have to create the type of ecosystem at a national level so that we have the necessary sporting facilities and the training for the development of cricket. Also, to get more of our citizens and residents involved in cricket.”
Asked which countries are part of the subcommittee, Browne said there were many volunteers, including his country, Trinidad and Tobago, and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
