The golden era of Windies cricket

THE EDITOR: Over the course of the past two decades, more or less, our fortunes in cricket have waned disastrously and have degenerated to an embarrassingly low level.

Also affecting our showing are weaker newcomers who are not as sensational as would be expected.

While we are most probably stricken by the loss of form, not enough effort is being made to evaluate causes for the sudden downward trend. From the era headed by Lloyd and Richards, generally labeled — without question — as the “Golden Age of West Indian cricket,” we have fallen into an abyss and are now finding it difficult to ascend to our past heights.

I remember the days of Rohan Kanhai in Australia when, by his heroic deed, he was named the Black Bradman, certainly a great compliment. During that tour, we were respected as a powerful side and regarded as heroes. There were other great players in the West Indian Camp, but my memory fails in recalling their names.

What we must consider currently is the ways and means of gaining our lost ground. If there is any group which should accept the blame for our ragged performance against the Australians, it should be the West Indies Cricket Board of Control.

I recommend that we start from scratch, within the ranks of the primary school talent. In 1939, Dr Clarke offered a trophy to the primary school displaying cricket supremacy throughout the nation. Caledonia EC ran away with the trophy by defeating Speyside Government at Shirvan Park in Scarborough. This marked the last of the national competitions as Dr Clarke had passed away. No one took up the reins of cricket promotion and training among the youth.

I strongly advocate the teaching of the game in schools and the placing of significant emphasis on it being taught at high school level. I remember one of the great West Indian players, Frank Worrel, representing Barbados in a match against Trinidad while he was still a pupil at Lodge School.

Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, was not a coach-made hero. He was a player with ingrained talent. Teachers did not disrupt his natural growth. He was allowed to do things his way. Hazare, the Indian Captain, saw him in action and had no hesitation in predicting that he was a hero in the making. Sobers, very early in his career, lowered Hutton’s world record.

The Golden Boy, Brian Lara, was to eventually wrest it. Courtney Walsh, another West Indian holds the record of being the highest wicket-taker in test cricket.

We are blessed with boundless talent. We must rise again to the position of world leader.

SALER AMEERALI
Eleanore Street
Chaguanas