Rebuilding our cricket legacy

The Editor, Sir:

In welcoming the comments of Don Wehby, made at the Grace/Issa cricket awards, one cannot escape the familiar feeling of frustration experienced whenever such sentiments are expressed.

I can only empathise with Mr Wehby, as his obviously emotional speech was no doubt born out of knowing and remembering when cricket was played in a manner that is now only a memory for most of us over 40.

We need not look very deeply to make a crude analysis of 'how did we get here?' We got here, it would seem, by ceasing to teach and play the game as we used to in the days when cricket was king.

For example, the game was taught in primary schools, with the requisite gears supplied and in the custody of a responsible member of staff.

High-level coaches were sent to impart the rudimentaries of the game. We were taught when to play forward and when to play back. Notably, the forward defensive stroke was a critical aspect of the foundation of batting, which meant that defence was at least as important as attack while being at the crease.

The resounding sound of "No" by spectators was often heard when a batsman defended, especially after an attacking stroke.

I mention this aspect in particular, as defence is so lacking our current approach to the game, except when staring defeat in the face.

Bowling and fielding

A look at the bowling and fielding aspects would no doubt reveal the same deficiencies, which, to my mind, speak to a lack of discipline.

This leads me to think that:

a) the basics of the game are not properly taught at the beginning;

b) cricket is not introduced early enough, including in preparatory schools and

c) we have failed to incorporate the lesson of discipline on which the game is founded.

It may be useful to consider aligning cricket clubs to schools, as this may help in the transition from the school level to the national level.

These standards should be universal in all the West Indies territories to ensure consistency of standards and development. In this regard, the Cricket Academy would be complementary in the grand scheme of things.

Chronic inertia

My frustration is deepened by the chronic inertia and resistance displayed by the WI Cricket Board to recommendations such as that from the Patterson Commission.

While not advocating political intervention, I cannot see the board being spurred into action on its own initiative.

In the meantime, our own Jamaica Cricket Board may be well advised to take a bold step and work in conjunction with the ministries of education and sports to implement our own strategies of development, which, if successful, could speak eloquently to the region as a whole.

Sir, it has always been well accepted that the discipline required to play cricket well is character-building and could contribute in turn to nation building, thus being a worthwhile investment in our youth.

I am etc.,

Trevor A. Bailey

talex_b@yahoo.com

Kingston