Call for cricketers to lift standard

MAJOR sponsor of local cricket Carib Beer, who is pumping $310,000 into the game for the 2004  season, is “calling on players to perform at a higher level rather than just going through the motions on the field of play.” “To say the least it is disappointing to watch the performances of some teams while playing, moreso, as was the case on the second day of the current match between the Leeward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago at Guaracara Park, on Saturday,” Colin Murray, marketing officer of Carib Beer, said.

At the time, Murray was addressing players at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal, yesterday morning, just before the opening match between CLICO Preysal, the  2002 40-over champions, and Powergen Sports Club. The 40-over Limited Overs Competition got underway at Inshan Ali Park, the home of last year’s winners CLICO Preysal for a first prize of $30,000, with the runners-up receiving $14,000, according to Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board 1st vice president Dudnath Ramkesoon. Murray, in his address said, “We have increased the prize money for all competitions but  we are yet to see the level of performances by players matching the prize structure that we have been offering.” He felt that “players just play the game because they have some ability  but that is not the kind of progress we would like to see.” “The performances of players have been cutting  a sorry picture for years. Some could be described as inept and others as lacking in pride,” he added.

Murray said, “What we need to see more in club Cricket is a deeper sense of commitment and dedication and if you cannot give that then move on.” He noted that players move from club to club for more money and  valuable items such as cars but they do not see the bigger picture “for always remember that the picture is bigger out there.” He recalled that it was only last year that players were calling for more money “but they did not match the call for more money with a higher level of performance and that is to be regretted.” “Go out there and give up to 150 percent of your ability and bring back the crowd to watch the game, and please remember too that players long ago played for very little and at that time large crowds came to see them play,” Murray said.

Ellis Lewis, president of the TTCB paid tribute to Carib Beer for their sponsorship and said that “they were in the forefront among others contributing to the growth and development of cricket.” Lewis admitted that Club structure had been improving in the country but felt somewhat disappointed with the performances of players at the National level and said that “we definitely have to do something about our cricket, especially in the department of fielding.” “Fielding is as important as any other aspect of the game of cricket and, therefore, we have to pursue a course of strategy aimed at improving fielding skills if we are to move up the Regional ladder,” Lewis said.