Barbados cricket has been in shambles for many years now. As far as I am concerned it is because cricket administration in Barbados is simply an “old boys’ network” where a certain few ensure they benefit even if this means that the actual standards on the field of play are poor. Admittedly, many of the cricketers also shoulder some responsibility because of their poor attitudes, indiscipline and mental weakness. However, these traits are not limited solely to cricketers but are symptomatic of a societal wide decay that has seemingly been nurtured across the Caribbean. Moreover, the cricketing old boys’ network is also a reflection of the way the Caribbean functions at all levels to its detriment. Hence what we have is not a cricketing crisis but a societal crisis. Call me pessimistic, but in the same way that I hold out little hope for our region, I hold out very little hope for our cricket. I cannot envision positive change because a certain few benefit from a broken governance system and they have no intention of allowing it to be fixed. The education system, almost in a conspiratorial manner, churns out sheep who buy into the myth sold to them that “everything is all right”. Even if they envision change, it is within the parameters of the existing societal structure. This in effect entails switching periodically between the two-three dominant institutions that are part and parcel of the “old boys’ network”, i.e., recycling failure. Any attempts to alter the underlying structures that perpetuate this malaise, whether in cricket or in the socio-economic/political sphere, are vehemently resisted.
This brings me to the latest saga surrounding Kirk Edwards. Edwards is not a classically talented cricketer but appears to be determined, hard working and disciplined. In other words, he possesses characteristics that are absent from most present-day West Indian cricketers. He was captain of the Barbados team last year and led the team to the first-class championship after a lean period for the former giants of Caribbean cricket. Edwards was vice-captain of the West Indies “A” team on its recent tour to India where he received praise for his performance and won back his place on the West Indies side for the tour to New Zealand. His last innings was a century for the West Indies against New Zealand and this was in a form of the game which many believe he is not suited for- one day internationals. How does Barbados reward Edwards? They sack him from the captaincy and insist on not offering any explanation for their action. They did not even have the decency to speak directly to Edwards about their plan to relieve him of the captaincy. He learnt from family and friends that he had been sacked. The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) announced two new captains, Kevin Stoute for the one day side and Kraigg Brathwaite for the four day side. Stoute has never been able to command a place in the Barbados team but has now been elevated to the captaincy. It is a situation that anyone with a modicum of common sense will compare to Darren Sammy’s appointment as West Indies captain and the widely held belief by many Caribbean cricket fans that this was done because he was seen as easy to control by the administration. Brathwaite’s case is an injustice to a young man who should be concentrating on developing himself as a batsman as opposed to captaining a team of players, the majority of whom are older than him. In a quest for total control, everything cricket is sacrificed.
So where was the Bajan media in all of this? They behaved as if nothing was wrong. The media simply reported that there would be two new captains. No real questions were asked of the BCA about why there was a captaincy replacement. Barbados Today made an attempt but it was feeble in my opinion. Of course, one cannot expect any better from a media whose job it is to reinforce the established order in Bimshire.
The Kirk Edwards saga did not end there however. Over the weekend, Edwards was expelled from the team which is in Trinidad for the Nagico Super50 tournament. There had been a disagreement surrounding Edward’s refusal to sign for a team kit which he believed to be inferior. Each player is given two outfits which must last for two years. The costs for replacements have to be borne by the player and they are required to sign an agreement in this regard. What an absurd policy! How can any sane person expect two uniforms to last a player on a sports team two months furthermore two years? Unless of course, the BCA is asking the players not to dive or slide while fielding, not to rub the ball on their trousers and not to perspire! Edwards had not signed the agreement in the previous two years but no action was taken against him. When he refused to do it this year, the manager acted in a heavy-handed manner. Despite a compromise solution proposed by the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), the Barbados manager would not accept anything but Edwards’ total conformity. When one reads the details of the situation, it is clear that management was being petty and idiotic. WIPA has issued a detailed statement about the matter which makes for an interesting read and highlights how ridiculous management’s position is. Edwards, who is usually media shy, has also spoken about the incident.
The entire fiasco is the norm that pertains in our cricket and our society: total lack of transparency, poor man management, punishment for individuals whose views differ from those of the establishment, promotion and reward for the mediocre and incompetent because they toe the line, pettiness, lack of accountability. I wish Edward’s all the best and hope he continues to hold true to his principles. We have enough yes men around. It is refreshing that he is willing to stand up to the status quo!
This brings me to the latest saga surrounding Kirk Edwards. Edwards is not a classically talented cricketer but appears to be determined, hard working and disciplined. In other words, he possesses characteristics that are absent from most present-day West Indian cricketers. He was captain of the Barbados team last year and led the team to the first-class championship after a lean period for the former giants of Caribbean cricket. Edwards was vice-captain of the West Indies “A” team on its recent tour to India where he received praise for his performance and won back his place on the West Indies side for the tour to New Zealand. His last innings was a century for the West Indies against New Zealand and this was in a form of the game which many believe he is not suited for- one day internationals. How does Barbados reward Edwards? They sack him from the captaincy and insist on not offering any explanation for their action. They did not even have the decency to speak directly to Edwards about their plan to relieve him of the captaincy. He learnt from family and friends that he had been sacked. The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) announced two new captains, Kevin Stoute for the one day side and Kraigg Brathwaite for the four day side. Stoute has never been able to command a place in the Barbados team but has now been elevated to the captaincy. It is a situation that anyone with a modicum of common sense will compare to Darren Sammy’s appointment as West Indies captain and the widely held belief by many Caribbean cricket fans that this was done because he was seen as easy to control by the administration. Brathwaite’s case is an injustice to a young man who should be concentrating on developing himself as a batsman as opposed to captaining a team of players, the majority of whom are older than him. In a quest for total control, everything cricket is sacrificed.
So where was the Bajan media in all of this? They behaved as if nothing was wrong. The media simply reported that there would be two new captains. No real questions were asked of the BCA about why there was a captaincy replacement. Barbados Today made an attempt but it was feeble in my opinion. Of course, one cannot expect any better from a media whose job it is to reinforce the established order in Bimshire.
The Kirk Edwards saga did not end there however. Over the weekend, Edwards was expelled from the team which is in Trinidad for the Nagico Super50 tournament. There had been a disagreement surrounding Edward’s refusal to sign for a team kit which he believed to be inferior. Each player is given two outfits which must last for two years. The costs for replacements have to be borne by the player and they are required to sign an agreement in this regard. What an absurd policy! How can any sane person expect two uniforms to last a player on a sports team two months furthermore two years? Unless of course, the BCA is asking the players not to dive or slide while fielding, not to rub the ball on their trousers and not to perspire! Edwards had not signed the agreement in the previous two years but no action was taken against him. When he refused to do it this year, the manager acted in a heavy-handed manner. Despite a compromise solution proposed by the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), the Barbados manager would not accept anything but Edwards’ total conformity. When one reads the details of the situation, it is clear that management was being petty and idiotic. WIPA has issued a detailed statement about the matter which makes for an interesting read and highlights how ridiculous management’s position is. Edwards, who is usually media shy, has also spoken about the incident.
The entire fiasco is the norm that pertains in our cricket and our society: total lack of transparency, poor man management, punishment for individuals whose views differ from those of the establishment, promotion and reward for the mediocre and incompetent because they toe the line, pettiness, lack of accountability. I wish Edward’s all the best and hope he continues to hold true to his principles. We have enough yes men around. It is refreshing that he is willing to stand up to the status quo!
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