Tony Becca, Contributing EditorWEST INDIES cricket is set to take on a new look - one that could have far reaching effects on the game in the region and ultimately on the fortunes of the West Indies team.
In a move that should be welcomed by all cricket fans, and particularly so those who have been lamenting the poor performance of the West Indies over the past 10 years, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced last week that as of the coming season West Indian players will be allowed to represent any team in the region, that one overseas player, one non-West Indian, will be allowed in each of the six teams and in many ways that could be just what is needed for the West Indies to return to their winning ways.
According to the board, the move is a bid to improve the standard of play around the region, to improve the competitiveness of the regional tournaments, to ensure that good players are not idle while players of less ability are in action, and with all the teams free to have one overseas player in their line-up, with the weaker teams free to strengthen their teams with players from other territories, with players who are good enough but fail to get into the stronger teams free to move around and represent the weaker teams, it is a wonderful move - no question about that.
COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENTS
The move, for example, will allow the weaker teams, like the Windward Islands, to strengthen their team. It will allow a team short of a good fast bowler or two to bring in one or two from those teams, like Jamaica and Barbados, who have more than they can use, that certainly will make them stronger, it will make the tournaments more competitive, and the stronger the competition, the better it will be for the West Indies team.
There is one other reason, however, why the move promises so much for West Indies cricket.
It could be the start of a professional league in the region.
One of the problems affecting West Indies cricket and the West Indies team is the lack of experience in West Indies cricket, the reason for that is that players who fail to get into the West Indies team leave the game as soon as they realise they have missed the boat or will not get another chance, and the reason for that is the absence of a professional league - a league from which they can earn some money.
The new move, how-ever, suggests that it won't be long before the players start earning some money - and for two reasons.
One reason is that the overseas player, the non-West Indian, will have to be paid for his services, that regardless of what it may be, the West Indian player representing another territory also will have to be paid and, in time and for obvious reasons, the other players will demand, and rightly so, something for their services.
In other words, the better players, the stars in their team, will not sit by and see one of their own, one who could not get into their team, being paid for playing in the same competition and they are not.
The other reason is that once free movement is allowed it will be difficult to prevent a player from exercising his right, and apart from the weaker teams going for the better players in other teams if they have the money to do so, it won't be long, if they have the money, before teams, strong and weak alike, start going for the better players from other teams.
CONCERNS
In welcoming what appears a good move for West Indies cricket, there are, however, two concerns.
The first concern is the reaction of the fans in the various territories, not so much to the presence of an overseas player representing them and taking the place of one of their own but to one or two of their players, for a start, representing another territory and to one or two 'outsiders' representing their country.
The second concern is the develop-ment of young players and particularly so those in the weaker territories.
As far as the fans are concerned, this is the age of professional sports, this is the age of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and free movement in the region and they will simply have to get accustomed to it; and as far as the development of young players is concerned, that will have to be left to the regional youth tournament.
Will the new move really start in October with the limited-overs President's Cup?
Chances are it will not - and for three reasons.
One is the lack of money, two is the confidence in some territories that they are strong enough and do not need help from anywhere, and three is the pride of all six territories - of Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands.
