West Indies Cricket Fans

As one who grew up in the age when patriotism was the creed, when the anthem and the flag were important, and when cricket was considered the master link between the islands and where West Indies cricket, even more the University of the West Indies, was considered the greatest West Indian institution of them all, the news that Bravo and Pollard had refused to sign the contract touched me deeply.

To put anything before representing the West Indies seemed sacrilegious.

That, however, was coming from my heart. When my head got involved, it was a different story.

This is not 1930, or 1940, or even 1950 where cricketers, good cricketers in the West Indies were mostly poor.

This is 2010, West Indies cricketers, at least those at the Test level and even though they are not as good as those in previous years, are now relatively independent financially.

The WICB has a right to set rules in its bid to administer the game properly and in the interest of the people.

Good management, however, sets rules that make sense and in professional sports, any rule that restricts the movement of players or limit their ability to earn just does not seem right.