TT manager wants tougher WICB

MANOHAR Ramsaran, manager of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team, says he in support of a tougher West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the rebuilding of Windies cricket.



Ramsaran was speaking in response to a question whether the Board has to take blame for the current state of cricket in the region and the perceived mindset that players are currently more interested in making money than being committed to the maroon colours. Just recently, Minister of Sport Anil Roberts, in an address at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and First Citizens Sports Foundation conference on sport and higher education, stated “cricket ain’t have nothing good on the horizon, unless they (WI players) get serious; because their motivation to play is only financial and when you under pressure, you will forget what money means.”

Recently, the Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) Board recalled stars Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis from the Big Bash League currently taking place in India. The SLC also refused Thisara Perera permission to play in the BBL citing Perera’s work ethic as Sri Lanka look ahead to the Asia Cup and World T20 Championships in the next few months.

Their action mirrors that of Cricket Australia who in 2012, recalled Shane Watson from the Champions League to prepare for a Test series against South Africa.

Asked whether the WICB should be more firm and selective in their issue of NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to play in foreign leagues, Ramsaran said he would support such a stance.

“I will support the WICB if they are recalling players to play or prepare for a tournament. I agree totally because you have to have some discipline,” he declared.

The former Minister of Sport argued, though, that there are significant benefits of the regional cricketers plying their trade abroad and cited the success in the World Twenty20 Championships in 2012 as proof.

“Don’t stop them once they are free to play (with no conflicting schedules) because that is why West Indies won the T20 World Cup. If you look at the time West Indies were successful in the past, there were a lot of players playing in England and they were given credit for that,” he continued.

Ramsaran believes Twenty20 cricket should not be vehemently opposed as it has done a lot for the game and the players.

“I don’t think anyone should be blamed because T20 is the popular format. If a club sees a players and feels he should join them and offers a contract then nothing is wrong. You can’t pay people the money they are offered,” he explained.

The TT manager was adamant, though, that players need to be educated about the history of the game and the illustrious past of the West Indies.

“I know there has always been the debate (of if players care about the past). Since I’ve been around the (national) team, people have talked and encouraged the players to learn. You can’t blame them, it’s easy to play the blame game but I prefer to find a solution. I’ve asked some of the youngsters ‘who is your favourite cricketer and why?’ The youngsters in TT want to learn and to me that is a step in the right direction,” he concluded.

he forgot the many TNT players who are rich because of T20