EDITORIAL
Just when it seemed that controversy had eased in West Indies’ (WI) cricket, it has flared again after a recent speech by legendary former player Brian Lara. Lara’s condemnation of the behaviour of previous WI players has raised more than a few eyebrows. For some, it was a question of timing – why now? Why rehash incidents that have occurred well in the past? Regardless of motive, Lara touched on a bone that has long been exposed in cricket. The ideal that it is supposed to be a ‘gentleman’s game’ has perhaps outlasted the way the game is played by some, as an no-holds barred approach to win at any cost.
With all the tensions surrounding WI cricket in recent years, good news was indeed welcome. A long-standing grievance between estranged player Darren Bravo and then West Indies Cricket Board (now Cricket West Indies) had been seemingly relieved and restrictions were temporarily relaxed on CWI selection policies for one-day internationals. After a disastrous start on their England tour, WI played excellently to win the second Test and gave a creditable performance despite losing the third. However, those positive feelings were too good to last; it is WI cricket, after all.
Brian Lara, delivering last week’s MCC Spirit of Cricket Lecture, delved into specific incidents of past WI teams where he felt ‘embarrassed’ by the behaviour of colleagues on the field. Lara’s comments come at an odd juncture. While he is entitled to reveal whatever he wants about his playing career, to rehash key moments from a team that dominated in the post-colonial era with none of the associated context is peculiar. Additionally, Lara is no stranger to controversial moments on or off the field, particularly in the way he complained or postured during previous Test series. Should he not expect to be also held to the same standards that he has applied to others?
Cricket holds high and lofty ideals about the ‘spirit of the game’, whose virtue is vigorously guarded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) which imposes various percentages of fines to players for code infractions. The fact is this has never stopped sportsmen from misbehaving, whether we speak of the heroes of the golden age of WI cricket, sledging from Australian cricketers or excessive appealing from some bowlers. Then there are the grey areas. Just recently in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) there was intense discussion about whether Kieron Pollard deliberately bowled a no-ball that allowed St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots the win, but denied batsman Evin Lewis a chance at scoring a remarkable century. Though Pollard has denied the allegation and an investigation is pending, some online commenters denounced his perceived actions, believing that it brought the game into disrepute; others felt it is an eligible tactic that breaks no rules or laws, but can tailor the game the way a bowler wants.
We agree that every effort should be made to teach our sportsmen and women that fair play is necessary in any game. In reality, we should also recognise that, for a long time now, players from various eras have applied whatever advantage, tactic or strategy is available to them to earn a winning result. It may not be ‘cricket’ or strictly sportsmanlike in the end, but it defines this perfectly imperfect game we love.