Rain, No Play

Fallout from the West Indies' continued string of failures began today when Windies coach Bennett King resigned from office. His resignation will take effect on May 31, 2007. Apparently he is staying on to facilitate the establishment of a regional cricket academy and so that the WICB can better "understand the challenges facing the Board as it implements the new structure". (King has been coach for the last three years, what more can he contribute in the next month that he hasn't been able to do for the last 3 years?). Meanwhile, the tour to England, should it go ahead (more on that later), begins in 3 weeks and the Windies don't have a coach. Apparently, King recommended his assistant David Moore, another former coach at the Australian cricket academy to take over for the English tour.

Board President, Ken Gordon, also offered to resign as well, but the WICB asked him to stay on at least until the next full meeting of the WICB on April 29. To his credit Gordon wrote:

"We should be seen to be taking responsibility from the top if this is to be the culture of the future. I, therefore, propose to tender my resignation as president to send an indisputable signal of how the board will in future address the issue of accountability."

"The WICB will have a genuine fresh and healthy start. A new president, a new captain, a new coach, a cleaned up financial situation; strong financial injections into the cricket boards; a new and experienced CEO with a good management team and credibility in the eyes of the public"

In his letter, Gordon has hit the nail on the head. The West Indies needs a wind of change. And that change as Gordon writes, must come from the top. A new president. One with a strong cricketing background. But it musn't stop there. New board members as well. Several of the WICB directors are getting up in age and have served their country well over a long period of time. But it's time for them to step aside and make way for young blood and fresh thinking.

The failures of this current board and its President (although Gordon has been in his current post for less than 2 years), extend beyond the field, where the West Indies have not won a Test series for 3 years, nor a single Test since June 2005. There has been constant haggling with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) over contracts seemingly before the start of every tour, including the upcoming tour to England. A potential contract dispute has English officials making contingency plans in case the players refuse to tour. (I'm not defending the players here, they have absolutely no grounds after their performances to be striking for more money, I'm just pointing out the board's shortcomings).

The Windies will shortly have a new captain, presumably Ramnaresh Sarwan, a new coach, a new Board president and hopefully a few new directors as well. Firm and visionary leadership will be needed to guide the West Indies out of the present malaise to which it has sunk over the last 15-20 years. A captain that can set an example on and off the field. WICB leadership that will back the captain and that is able to repair the mistrust and ill will that has built up between the Board and the players. And a coach who is able to command the respect of the players and instill the discipline that has been so sorely lacking in the team.

• 684 reads