The Editor, Sir:

As one reflects on this tumultuous time in West Indies cricket, it is clear that the fans have been forgotten. While the West Indies Cricket Board was asking for an apology, nobody was asking for one for the fans, particularly those in St Vincent, Grenada, Dominica and St Kitts.

Not wanting to take away from the effort of the 'makeshift team' but we the fans who have suffered so much in the past, have suffered the greatest ignominy of them all: a whitewash to Bangladesh at home. That is what the record books will show, and the locations of these losses will be a blemish in the cricket history of these islands.

I was born in one of the larger cricketing islands (Trinidad) and I live in another (Jamaica), but I cannot help but feel that the greatest injustice in this entire saga has been done to the fans of the St Vincent, Grenada, Dominica and St Kitts.

The first time

How many of us growing up remember the first time we saw a West Indies team in action and the indelible mark that first experience left on us? These islands very rarely see international cricket, and to think that this tour, which was clearly based in these islands was the platform that was used by the players to make their point.

We all know about the reputation of the West Indies Board and its dealing with the players. This has been played out in the public domain for all to see. Very few would come to the defence of the board. However, the old adage, two wrongs do not make a right, comes to mind. The players or their representatives have to explain to the fans of these islands why they felt that the option of denying the children and fans the opportunity to see Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul was the only option available to them.

Overwhelming question

Despite the apparent frustrations, the overwhelming question is, why was it felt that they could not have presented their position to the fans first, or made an appeal for assistance from their international counterparts, or even the ICC, or as eventually happened, sought the intervention of CARICOM, before considering denying the cricket fans of these islands from witnessing the best team?

Do not be surprised if the ignominy of losing to Bangladesh has not done irreparable damage to the future of cricket in these islands.

Also, did the players or their representatives even consider the financial impact that their withdrawal would have had on the small entrepreneurs who may have been banking on these events to make a 'little something'?

If it was the players' view that they were making a point, they may have made another: that they have little respect for the fans, and more so, the fans of these islands.

I am, etc.,

ROGER MOFFAT

moffatr2@yahoo.com

Montego Bay, St James