Throughout the glory years of West Indies cricket, from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) appeared to be 'playing' a supporting role. The circuiting public knew there was a board and that was it.

The success of the team both in Tests and one-day internationals drove West Indies cricket. Achievement on the field of play remains the key marketing component of our cricket, in spite of the significant developments to the game in recent times, namely more Tests and one-day internationals, the increasing popularity of Twenty/20 and a considerable rise in players' earnings.

The solution is to first decide on a process which will correctly select individuals to manage our cricket, whose commitment and passion would be to consistently produce a highly competitive and professional unit on the playing field.

'A victory now and then' translates into 'brainless' administrators, and though the task of administering West Indies cricket will always be challenging, finding solutions to problems is the hallmark of competent managers.

A once-proud institution must never be allowed to crumble.

I am, etc.,

SURESH BALRAM

balsuresh@hotmail.com

San Fernando, Trinidad