Support Willie urges Davis

Willie Rodriguez deserves the support of the local authorities as he bids for the presidency of the West Indies Cricket Board. This is the opinion of former Test cricketer Bryan Davis against that of Alloy Lequay, local cricket chief concerning support for another regional candidate. Rodriguez, president of the Queen’s Park Cricket Club is bidding to replace the Rev Wes Hall who is not standing for re-election because of health reasons. The 68-year old Rodriguez was nominated by the Jamaican Cricket Association under the leadership of former Test player Jackie Hendricks But president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC), Lequay said his board will be throwing their support behind the president of the Guyana Cricket Board, Chetram Singh. Lequay said the Guyanese bookie contacted him before the Jamaicans and he has not heard from Rodriguez. “We will be supporting Singh because he contacted us way in advance and now we cannot turn our backs on him,” said the evergreen Lequay.

Rodriguez played both cricket and football for the West Indies and was regarded as a very good leg-spinner and talented batsman. With Rev Hall not standing for re-election on July 12 and 13 at the board’s annual general meeting, Rodriguez leads a slate that includes Windwards Cricket Board president Lennox John. They will oppose Chetram Singh and Val Banks of the Leewards, the Guyanese’s running mate. Tony Marshall of Barbados initially showed interest but at the close of nominations his name was not put forward. So it will be a straight tussle between Rodriguez and Singh. Davis who is cricket manager at QPCC said : “From the moment the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) realised that a local was going up they should have told Singh that they are sorry and throw their weight behind Rodriguez.” “Nowhere in the Caribbean you would see a territory going up against their own. They at the cricket Board must realise that and put their support in the right place,” he said. “Rodriguez would make a wonderful leader should he be given the post. He has been president of Queen’s Park for about eight years and has done a magnificent job. He has experience in sport and business and this would serve him in good stead. He has great administrative ability and the West Indies cannot go wrong by making Willie the president of the Board,” said Davis.