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by Michael Bascombe
West Indies cricket suffered another humbling blow on Sunday, losing the third and final Test match against Australia by a crushing 176 runs at Sabina Park in Jamaica. Set a modest target of 204 runs for victory, the home side capitulated for a record-low second innings total of just 27 runs—one of the lowest in the history of Test cricket and a moment of deep embarrassment on Caribbean soil.
The defeat sealed a 3-0 series sweep for the visiting Australians, leaving fans across the region disheartened, frustrated, and searching—once again—for answers. And, as is often the case in times of crisis, the calls for administrative change have grown louder.
There are always those who believe that changing administrators will magically reverse the decline of West Indies cricket. Whether it was Sir Wes Hall, Sir Julian Hunte, Dave Cameron, Ricky Skerritt, or now Dr Kishore Shallow at the helm, there exists a stubborn belief that rotating leadership at the top will somehow produce instant victories on the field.
But this view, though emotionally understandable, is deeply flawed.
History has shown us that leadership alone cannot fix deeply entrenched structural issues. It reminds me of the days when fans in Grenada would call for the dismissal of Ashley “Ram” Folkes or Cheney Joseph every time the national football team lost a match. But even with new faces at the top, the results remained largely unchanged. That’s because success requires more than just a fresh nameplate on an office door—it demands a comprehensive strategy, sustained investment, and, most importantly, a shift in mindset.
Even if we were to gather every West Indies cricket legend—Richards, Lara, Holding, Ambrose—and give them leadership positions today, there would be no immediate renaissance. Why? Unless there is a fundamental change in the attitude, discipline, and commitment of the current crop of players, the cycle of mediocrity will continue.
Talent, which the Caribbean has never lacked, is not the issue. The problem lies in the execution, preparation, and professional culture surrounding the game. Without the hunger to compete at the highest level, the willingness to put in the hard work, and the respect for the maroon jersey, past glories can only serve as nostalgic reminders, not solutions to the present challenges.
This is not a West Indies-specific dilemma. Even Brazil, the spiritual home of football, has tried bringing back legends into coaching and management roles. Yet their national team continues to struggle.
The greatness of the past, while inspiring, does not automatically translate into success in the present.
West Indies cricket finds itself in a similar position. Until we prioritise long-term player development, invest in grassroots programs, modernise training infrastructure, and instil discipline and professionalism from youth levels up, changing administrators will be like rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.
There are broader regional efforts aimed at addressing the crisis. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has a dedicated Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket, chaired by Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali. The group has held several meetings to assess the current state of the game and chart a roadmap for the future. They’ve reviewed the outcomes of a regional cricket conference and even discussed avenues for funding the sport at the regional level.
Yet even CARICOM’s involvement has its limits. A decade ago, a detailed final report by the CARICOM Cricket Review Panel was submitted following months of consultation with stakeholders. The report included sweeping recommendations on governance reform, many of which have been adopted by Cricket West Indies (CWI). Still, the results on the field have not improved in any meaningful or consistent way.
This raises an important point: regional governments, while having the right to support and scrutinise cricket, must also widen their focus to sports as a whole. Cricket cannot be the only vehicle for regional pride or development. A holistic approach to sports—encompassing education, health, youth empowerment, and economic opportunity—will lay a foundation that benefits all disciplines.
In the meantime, West Indies fans must be willing to face an uncomfortable truth: no single administrator, coach, or cricket legend can wave a magic wand to restore former glory. The change must begin at the grassroots, in the attitudes of players, the systems that develop them, and the values we promote across the sporting spectrum.
The scoreboard at Sabina Park tells a painful story. But it is not the first, and it won’t be the last unless we choose a different path—one rooted in realism, responsibility, and long-term resolve.