Former WI batting legend urges reinstatement of old attitudes for regional success

Mar 23, 2010 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin

Former West Indies batting legend, Basil Butcher, believes that cricketers in the region should be involved in a viable development programme to lift the sport from its present sorry state. He further urged young cricketers to inculcate the type of attitudes and commitment on par with the players that preceded them.
Mr. Butcher was delivering the keynote address at the launch of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) 2010 season on the upper flat of the Demerara Cricket Club pavilion, Lance Gibbs Street Queenstown.
The former cricket legend recounted occurrences during the glory days of West Indies cricket that placed the regional team at the pinnacle of world cricket even as he lamented the current state of affairs. “It hurts when I note what has happened to our cricket over the past 25 years,” he said.
He further admitted being one of the fanatics that sit hopefully before the television set whenever the West Indies players are in action and suffering untold misery after they would have lost a match. “West Indies cricket has declined over the years,” he stated.
“The truth is that all Test cricket nations are devising strategies to be the best in the world. Unfortunately, our cricketers are not trying hard enough to upkeep the tradition of former stalwarts,” bemoaned Mr. Butcher.
He then launched a scathing tirade over the mediocre performances witnessed recently that pass as West Indies cricket. “Can you imagine that we are actually proud of the recent 4-1 victory over Zimbabwe?” he asked.
“West Indies have ruled cricket for over 15 years but now we hear people boasting of a 4-1 victory over a team of such inferior quality,” he elaborated.
He then cautioned the young cricketers present to develop the type of attitudes that could distinguish them from among the riff raff. “Natural ability is one thing but honing that ability through dedication and hard work is another,” said Mr. Butcher.
He cautioned the aspiring cricket greats to work on perfecting their game despite obvious setbacks.
“There are going to be fluctuating moments on the field but in the end the team that survives would be the one that applies itself to the task at hand and remained committed to the cause,” he advised.
The former cricket great ended his speech on an optimistic note. “I hope that someday very soon something would happen to put our cricket back on track,” he said.
Earlier, President of the GCA, Roger Harper delivered a brief outline of his organization’s plans for 2010. He firstly acknowledged the worthwhile contributions of Mr. Butcher to West Indies cricket. “It is not often that we get an opportunity to be in the presence of our heroes of the past; men who helped to pave the way and establish West Indies cricket legacy,” said Mr. Harper.
The GCA boss then lauded the hard work of his executives and affiliates in successfully running off numerous tournaments in 2009.
“It is now our intention to ensure that the cricket clubs in Georgetown are kept active at all levels during 2010,” Mr. Harper cautioned. “We are looking at other ways of highlighting cricket in Georgetown and providing as much publicity and exposure for the players,” Mr. Harper intimated. “Plans, shaped by new ideas, are in the making to do just that,” he assured.
He also extended deep gratitude to the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association for the support rendered to his organization over the years.
He further stated that the programme would begin later this month starting with the 2nd division 40 overs competition. Kaieteur News would publish a detailed itinerary in a subsequent edition.
Meanwhile, several outstanding cricketers, their coaches and other affiliates received special awards for successes over the fiscal period.
Raj Nanan turned in remarkable figures of 8-5-13-8 and was duly adjudged the best U-19 bowler. Devon Lord also registered an impeccable 8 overs, 8 maidens and 8 wickets to win the award for the best U-15 bowling performance.
Omesh Dhanram registered a competition high 316 runs with a top score of 121 to take the award for the U-19 batsman with the highest score. Demerara Cricket Club copped the award for winning the Lifetime Realty U-15 competition while coach, Quasen Nedd received a special award for tutoring them.
Other awardees are Transport Sports Club (Most disciplined U-15 team), Georgetown Cricket Club (most disciplined U-19 team), Most Valuable U-15 Player (Tagenarine Chanderpaul (GYO), U-19 batsman with the highest score (Omesh Dhanram), Best U-19 bowling performance Raj Nanan, Most Valuable U-19 Player (Chris Surat of the Everest Cricket Club). Coach of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Gavin Nedd also received a special award for tutoring his team successfully.

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