Dear Editor,
There was a time in the recent past when the West Indies selectors knew to dance well on musical chairs that saw the constant chopping and changing of players much to the displeasure of many learned Caribbean fans and which even led to the uncertainty of the future of some of the players. This scenario has significantly changed over the last eighteen months, as the West Indies team is gradually forming itself again into a dominant force as it once was under the legendary Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards and Richie Richardson. Our 20/20 World Cup glory in Sri Lanka is a significant piece of history that was not conceptualized by accident (a Caribbean public holiday should have been dedicated to our heroes considering that it was 33 years since our last World Cup feat). As a consequence I am indeed convinced that the current Chairman of selectors, Clyde Butts is the quiet architect behind this phenomenal transition of the West Indies team. The present core of players has had a consistent run and they have repaid the WI in a big way thus ensuring that the team remained cohesive, forging ahead with the ambitious objectives as set out by the WICB. While the test of the five-day game against strong opponents remains to be conquered, the shorter form has been a resounding success during the past year and should last for a much longer time in the future as suggested by former West Indies (World Cup Champion 1979) fast bowler Colin Croft in Sunday’s Kaieteur News dated 2012/10/14.
Over the years, the previous WI selectors were persistently chastised by the general public for the steep decline of the team to the point of complete frustration, as one defeat was quickly followed by another. Then predictably the World wanted the West Indies team to be demoted as the global fans began to abstain from the touring team (including Brian Lara since even his centuries in both innings in a test match against Sri Lanka could not have prevented defeat and a ‘White Wash’) because of the illusionary competitiveness of the team.
There was a complete breakdown of team unity and purpose and it was alleged that former WI Chairman of Selectors Sir Vivian Richards during his tenure had to apply draconian measures and even threaten players in the dressing room to produce credible results. The unacceptable decline continued even when Clyde Butts took over the reins of Chairmanship. However he gradually began to spin his options most prudently and skilfully like he did against the Caribbean batsmen during his time on the field. Though he remains a most pleasant personality, his stern and firm grasp of selecting teams for the WI is proving to be successful. Some of his selections have been master (deliveries!) such as the elevation of Assad Fudadin to the senior team, the resurrection of Narsingh Deonarine’s career, the continued faith in Ravi Rampaul and even Dwayne Smith are decisions that are not always pleasing to the selfish mind of hawkish fans whose only demand is to get it right every time. The exciting prospect of another batting genius that will complement grit and determination must be Darren Bravo and Kraigg Brathwaite respectively and Clyde Butts must be applauded for his vision of where he wants the West Indies team to be in another two years. Incidentally and quite appropriately Mr. Butts has been given an extension on his Chairmanship for another two years so that he can continue to thrust the new 20/20 World Champions to an even greater level of performance that was the norm and high standards set by the Legends (Gary Sobers, Rohan Kanhai, Wes Hall, Curtly Ambrose etc.).
The fans will also be happy to know that former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is back to full fitness and has been impressive in his county stint in England and with the ever venomous Jerome Taylor rearing to return, the prospects of the West Indies global dominance with consistency becomes even more assured. Such conviction however will remain in the institutional capacity of the Chairman of Selectors and deservedly Clyde Butts is proving to be the wind of a successful change for the fortune of West Indies cricket and therefore he deserves the credit for the West Indies team’s current stability.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
