Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago clash in the historical day/night match of the WICB Regional four-day tournament at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium from 13:00 hours today.
The move, according to the WICB CEO Ernest Hilaire is aimed at arresting the waning interest and attracting fans back to the sport.
Many, though, have questioned the wisdom of the implementation of pink balls and day/night matches at this tournament with persons such as Guyana Cricket Board president Chetram Singh and former West Indies cricket captain Jimmy Adams already voicing their opinions.
Stabroek Sport yesterday ventured into the streets of the capital city to get the layman’s views.
A few persons were of the opinion that they would be in a better position to comment after the game but we also got responses from a few.
Their comments follow.
Gocool Boodhoo – Chief Elections Officer:”It is exciting, interesting and challenging. We are delighted to have it; let it come forward because we welcome it. It is going to last for a good while and it is going to make a lot of money. (So) get on with it and let us enjoy cricket in all its glory and form.
“It could have been tested before they rushed into it but many people will enjoy it. It is going to be very productive in terms of returns and the players will be having a great time as well as the spectators. However, there are going to be some winners and losers but if the people that enjoy cricket would like to have it let it come forward. If it is appetizing and enriching then we welcome it.”
Reon King- Cricket Development Officer:”Experimenting in Regional cricket, in my opinion, is the wisest thing. I would have gone with a trial and error period in local cricket to see the response because our pitches might be more abrasive than in England where it (pink balls) was used and we would have seen what results we get from it.
It is experimental cricket and I don’t think first class cricket is the right breeding ground. It should have been done at club or the Inter-County level. However, the innovation is good if there are certain things you want to see for the game. But is it the right place? No!
Had it been done in different regions- Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica then you would have had the response on how good it is. Guyanese players or most of the players rather, will not be equipped with the experience of playing pink ball cricket (especially) coming from white to red ball.
I think there should have been a lead up tournament with the territories. Also I think that it should have been tested to get the effects in terms of brining people out and obviously with the cricket from the technical point of view and what results that would yield.”
Leon Horatio- Sports Editor: “It is a good innovation for West Indies cricket hoping that they can bring back the crowds as the spectators’ long paucity from Regional domestic cricket. I think everyone is looking forward to it tomorrow night and we hope it can go somewhere.
(On the other hand) I don’t think it should have started at the first class level. I would have, if they were playing two rounds, brought it in the second half. Or for instance at the local Inter-County competition and with territorial teams but I guess they (WICB) want to rush it.
“According to Hilaire it is the way to go but I haven’t heard any other of the major cricketing nations saying anything about it but the English has put forward the idea.”
Bharat Mangru- Coach/Scorer: “I don’t think the players were exposed enough to something like this to get into a Regional tournament. There should have been more practice games especially at the club level for the players to have an idea about what this pink ball would do and what it would not do.
“For example, Guyana has not had a practice match per se with the pink ball and therefore it will be a new scenario for most of the players. Some of them have played night cricket so the exposure level would be different.
“If this is the way the ICC is going then we (Guyana and West Indies) have to sometime adjust to it but at the same time at the West Indies board level they should have done a little bit more work with it in terms of bringing it to the Regional level.
“They just should not have dropped this like a bomb on the players.
“It could survive though with sponsors and what it brings to the game and I think it is going to bring spectators to the game. It is in the afternoons and people can have someplace to go. I think the new experience will be good. However, I don’t know how it would affect the different territories in terms of conditions in the evening because in some countries the dew falls earlier and heavier than other countries and I guess it could affect the cricket a little.
“At least give the respective territories some time to prepare themselves for this. Like our local Inter County competition they (GCB/WICB) should have allowed the players to play under these conditions and so they would have been more exposed to this type of cricket.
“Having said that Trinidad is a very experienced team and I think probably they are the most prepared team in the tournament even though they lost their first round match outright (to CCC) and I am sure Trinidad may have prepared for this before.”
Shawn Massiah- Cricketer: “I think it is a good idea. One has to look at the crowds that have not been coming out during the day so if you have something like that in the night it can survive. We should have started at the first class level before getting into the bigger arena.
“Test it and see if the crowds will come out for the local guys but I feel with the crowd that normally come out for cricket generally they might be excited to see how the pink ball idea would work. As you see the white ball draws a crowd and no doubt you will have the same crowd for the pink balls.
“Some might come to the game for the lime and some might even catch on the game and start coming more regularly to night cricket because they have work during the day. So the afternoon and night cricket will be good for them.
“Sponsors will definitely pump more money into it because they will have more mileage and the crowds will hype up proceedings.”
Navin Jaggeet- Bus driver: “I don’t think they should use pink balls because people know about two colours. In the night you use white and in the day you use red. Pink balls will fade quickly and might even turn white so the two standing colours are better.
“I feel that they should never use it. I am curious and I think that Guyana will do well. And since Guyana will not be playing the night game here I will not go to the game.”
