THE EDITOR, Sir:

CERTAINLY, the failures of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), now and in the past, are well documented. However, it appears that the board, even with the Patterson Report in hand, has not yet awakened to the urgent necessity for meaningful reform. Undoubtedly, it faces numerous challenges, especially that of finances. Still, unless a seismic shift occurs, both in culture and structure, we would be unwise to expect a revival in the fortunes of West Indies cricket any time soon.

But for all the glaring failures of the WICB, a sense of fair play suggests that we not hand the WIPA a pass on this and many other dreadful episodes in West Indies cricket. It is somewhat telling that even though the board has been served by a number of presidents, none of them has succeeded in working amicably with the Players' Association in recent times. Not even the olive branch of a seat on the board has done anything to change the hostility between these two organisations.

The aggressiveness, excessive emotionalism, and childishness - witness the so-called 'apology' from the players - means that the board will never be able to negotiate in good faith until there is an overhaul of the WIPA itself.

If the players desire legitimate change in the way the board comports itself, it will not happen by strikes or under-performance on the international stage. In this case, their preferred cure is worse than the disease.

A little humility

The irony in all this is that both organisations need each other. Furthermore, a little humility here will go a long way. I would not be surprised to learn that the WI players are not the best paid in the world, but they earn more than the average person in the Caribbean. And with few exceptions, they produce very little. Should this reality not temper the unhelpful posturing that we are witnessing? I am unaware of any organisation that pays its workers simply to show up to work. Companies pay employees to produce. Similarly, the West Indies players should realise that they are paid to win.

In the end, both the WICB and the WIPA must change.

I am, etc.,

G. Thompson

Glen Thompson

glenthom68@hotmail.com

Ontario, Canada