Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 01, 2010 Sports
By Rawle Welch
Following their pathetic performances against Australia Down Under, the beleaguered West Indies (WI) cricket team gave the corporate community ample justification to invest their sponsorship dollars elsewhere.
Reeling from a sharp decline in support from the business sector that has severely affected our regional tournaments, yesterday’s display against Zimbabwe might have supplied sponsors who were mulling over offering their assistance with credible evidence to move on.
Facing a Zimbabwe team that is currently rated below them, the West Indians produced a shocking performance in front of their fans that could adversely affect support for the remainder of the series. Set a modest 106 for victory after reducing the visitors to 105 all out in 19.5 overs, the homesters were restricted to 79-7, slumping to their lowest T20 total and an embarrassing 26 runs defeat.
That was after an impressive bowling performance Sulieman Benn, whose figures of 4-6 off his allotted 4 overs had the visitors reeling at one stage on 11-4 with the improved off-spinner doing all the damage up to that point. He was backed up by sharp fielding and admirable support from Darren Sammy, who finished with 5-26 from 3.5 overs.
Most would have felt that the modest target required to win was a generous chance for West Indies to break the jinx of defeat which has characterised the team for many years now and has caused prolonged pain and sadness for West Indian fans.
Instead, what WI supporters got was more heartache and pain as the Zimbabweans led by their spinners produced a crushing performance to keep us waiting a bit longer and wandering what next could happen.
Despite the absence of the destructive Chris Gayle and taking the recent dismal record of the West Indies team into consideration, no one would have betted against them achieving victory.
However, what they demonstrated to us once again is that they know how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
New Coach Otis Gibson must be an extremely disappointed man right now because a win yesterday would have provided the right start for the tour, especially coming off the disastrous one in Australia.
Gibson in recent comments to the media spoke of the need to move on from the previous tour and also for everyone not to compare this team with those of the past, but such unhelpful performances as the one witnessed in the opening match against a team regarded as possessing lesser ability than us will only serve to further alienate fans from the game.
This is the seventh coach employed by the WICB since 2004 with all of them bringing different experiences and style, but yet no one seems to have the antidote to cure the long-lasting decline in our cricket after such ruthless domination in the 70’s and 80’s.
No one could argue that the financial investments made within the various territories that constitute WI cricket is unparalleled, similarly no one could dispute that because of our rich history of dominance in the sport it was not worth it, but many feel right now that there should be a rethink by our sports administrators regarding the continued support for a discipline that is unfortunately not paying back dividends.
Many attempts have been made and opinions offered by important stakeholders to arrest the slide, but they have either not worked or completely ignored by the professed guardians of our cricket.
After many years of trying with no visible success, it might be time for some other sport to take its place. It is time for potential sponsors to take note.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
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