COMMENTARY

Winning culture evolving in Barbados' cricket

by Philip Hackett

Philip Hackett

Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Barbados continued to dominate regional cricket as they won both first class titles for the second consecutive year with a comprehensive 84 run victory over Jamaica at the North Stars ground towards the northern tip of the island last Sunday.

The recovery launched by Barbados after Jamaica had the better of the exchanges for most of the first three days, was led by middle order batsman Floyd Reifer and West Indies pacer Corey Collymore. 

Reifer emphasised the value of experience but his innings will be remembered for the fighting qualities he showed though clearly not as his most fluent with the bat. He displayed the strength of character so often lacking in our regional team.

Collymore's professionalism and cricketing intelligence was highlighted not only in his bowling as would normally be expected but in his 96 minutes at the crease in partnership with Reifer. 

While Jamaicans can justifiably be disappointed with the manner in which Chris Gayle and his team wasted a grand opportunity, the outcome was a refreshing change for Barbadians, after the recent frustrations supporting the West Indies team. With the crucial third Test against England due to start in Barbados this week, Caribbean people can only hope the regional team can draw some inspiration from the performance of Courtney Browne's men.

Barbados has now won five of the six regional titles contested over the past two seasons. The Carib Beer Cup was secured with seven consecutive victories and the International Challenge with an outright win in the final. Only Guyana, in the semi final, managed to avoid defeat but Barbados can still boast of having defeated every team this year as they had taken out the Guyanese in the preliminary phase. 

So what are the components of a successful team? Many sports participants will admit that it is difficult to perform consistently in a climate not conducive to a high level of productivity. Discipline is a key part of that climate. Since the tail does not wag the dog that positive environment has to be created by team management. High praise must be in order then for the Barbados captain Courtney Browne, coach Hendy Springer and manager Tony Howard. 

As we have seen at West Indies level, management cannot be effective if there is not adequate support from the administrative body particularly where discipline is concerned, hence Steven Alleyne and his board must also be congratulated. 

The use of its human resources by Barbados is admirable. While the involvement of former international cricketers is critical to the development of the sport wherever it is played, Barbados has not become fixated on the 'star status syndrome.' There are many former Test greats who continue to contribute to the development of cricket on the island but the BCA has wisely opened the door as well to others with proven leadership and coaching skills.

Manager Howard played just one Test match for West Indies while coach Springer was a useful off spinning allrounder who took 51 wickets in 26 first class matches, but never played Test cricket. When Springer was unavailable to tour for one match during the Carib Beer series, Barbados turned to Hendy Wallace, a highly respected club cricketer who played professionally in Ireland and who freelances as the BCA's bowling coach for the national team.

I am not suggesting that former Test stars should not be used as coaches but I am convinced there are relevant aspects to coaching and leadership that are not automatically developed through high level performances on a cricket field. As interim manager of the West Indies team Howard has now been given a chance to contribute at international level but he can only be effective if fully supported by the WICB. 

Barbados is on to a good thing. It is a high point in the island's cricketing journey. Clearly it cannot last forever but the lessons to be learned from this era of success should be recognised within the community and throughout the region.

Philip Hackett is a freelance sports journalist who has covered international cricket matches for the Nation Newspaper in Barbados as well as the CMC (formerly CANA). Hackett is also a well-respected cricket radio commentator who has covered Test matches for the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation as well as numerous regional first class matches. He has also provided print media and electronic media coverage of table tennis throughout the region. Hackett is a physical education teacher and has worked in Bermuda, Barbados and now the Cayman Islands. He is a qualified international table tennis coach, having received his training in Hungary and a Level one cricket coach. Hackett holds a Masters degree in education from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

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