Gayle's Time Has Passed - New Dynamic Leadership Needed
October 25, 2009

The 2009 West Indies One Day Tournament for the President's Cup would normally hardly attract many Cricket followers outside of the region, however, because of the impasses between the WI Board and the WI Players Association, the eyes and ears of the entire Cricketing World will be focused on what will come out of Guyana both on and off the field. West Indian people who have grown tired of the ongoing chess match between the board and the players association are looking forward with tepid enthusiasm towards a total final agreement and a lasting peace which can only come about through some spirit of compromise by the two parties.

With the hope that there will be a firm agreement and therefore all players are eligible for the tour of Australia through signed contracts, the question of Captaincy will no doubt be a key issue to the success of that side going Down Under to play the baggy green caps in their backyard. After the events of recent time and with some analyzing I think the time has come to look for new leadership of our side and do feel that the time of Chris Gayle has duly passed. I will be the first to admit that the big left-hander led the WI to a test victory in South Africa but we faded badly after that and lost the series but won the one day series in England. On that occasion it would be fair to say that he was assisted through a public clash with the then President Ken Gordon that got the players behind him and motivated towards the real cause of winning. The then board when Sarwan was back from injury should have reinstated the Guyanese right-hander who had served his apprenticeship well under WI Captain Brian Lara and had shown good positive leadership in what ever opportunity presented itself.

When Gayle continued to lead the West Indies on England's last tour of the region, I was disappointed by his ultra defensive tactics, and after Jerome Taylor routed England in that dramatic spell, his leadership became even more so. It seemed to be just important to play for a draw when an opportunity existed for a clearer cut victory that ended with embarrassment in Trinidad. His statement just before our series began in England was further evidence that he was not really committed to the test game and had the leadership skills of some of our outstanding captains of our past. In total, Gayle has not shown the maturity, discipline, or commitment needed for leadership of the WI team or expected of a senior player. Jamaica on the other hand has produced a range of cricketers who were totally dedicated to the cause of West Indies Cricket Alan Rae, Gerry Alexander, Alfred Valentine, Collie Smith, Jeffrey Dujon, Courtney Walsh, Michael Holding, Patrick Patterson and Maurice Foster.

My own choice of captain would be Dwayne Bravo, once the WI board can acquire from him a clear commitment to West Indies Cricket and the leadership of our side. He has natural attacking attributes and brings great energy to any team he plays for. My other choice would be Darren Ganga who again demonstrated good tactical skills in India and the responsibility that goes with captaincy on and off the field. Both Bravo and Ganga have received wide and solid support from senior former captains and international journalists to take over the leadership of the WI team. A Captain to lead the West Indies to Australia and beyond at this time must have the qualities that enables him to lead men and unite the cause of winning as the important factor for our game and the people of the region. Chris Gayle with the pressures of captaincy not on his shoulders will be able to concentrate on his batting that will lead him to a test average of the high 40s while his bowling can provide further options. If Ganga does get the job, it will be as an opener as it’s difficult to see him earning a place in the middle order and providing our team with the right balance, but his leadership skills so well demonstrated in India was of the highest standards.

Another important appointment to be made by the board will be that of manager to Australia. This may have to be long term as we play in the 20/20 World Cup next year, and entertain Zimbabwe and South Africa. That person must be highly respected by the players, have good knowledge of Australian conditions and be able to heal the cracks that will be obviously there because of the events of Bangladesh. When a family has a dispute the scars are long in healing.

The jury is still out on Clyde Butts and his selection committee. Any detailed assessment will indicate some strange selections and a reluctant to do the obvious. In some cases it might have been a disconnect between the selectors and the tour committee headed by John Dyson. The selectors overall have produced negative sides, and a good example was playing the same 11 after we lost the first test in England. Recently, we had a situation against India where the same players named for the one day matches in Jamaica was simply renamed for St Lucia when there was every opportunity for the selectors to show some creative thinking with at least two changes, as usual same old same old. There is however some hope that they might have the courage to recommend a suitable captain for the tour of Australia, if we can be encouraged by the reefing efforts to name Darren Sammy and Rawle Lewis as captain and vice captain for the Champion’s Trophy, which was turned down by the WI board.

Reds Perreira