Letter to the Sports Editor...West Indian cricketers exit in less ceremonious fashion

Letter to the Sports Editor…West Indian cricketers exit in less ceremonious fashion

Dec 07, 2012 Sports

Dear Editor,
I became very emotional upon viewing the final exit from the International scene of former Australian captain Ricky Pointing following the culmination of the final test match against South Africa.
He will stand proudly among the greatest batsmen of contemporary cricket; a priceless legacy that also includes the incomparable Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar.
The varying sentiments from the cricketing world including the ICC collectively saluting a true champion for the pure pleasure and character that Pointing brought to cricket was ballooning from the time he said that he was retiring.
They were fitting and appropriate tributes to an Australian hero.
Can the same be said about our West Indian heroes? I have studiously followed the careers of many of our past outstanding cricketers yet some of them have disappeared in less ceremonious fashion.
Former West Indies captains Vivian Richards, Carl Hooper and Jimmy Adams vanished without a formal farewell. Richards was interested in playing in the 1992 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand but he was not selected and it was the ignominious end for him, while Jimmy Adams was dropped after a miserable tour of Australia under his tenure- ship and was never selected again. Carl Hooper just walked away without saying farewell amid an uneasy relationship with the WICB and the list goes on.
The careers of the trio were long enough to absorb their rightful acclaim by the fans and associations.
Brian Lara’s sudden retirement was also a surprise and the world never got the chance to see him saluting one final time to the crowd or his opposition constructing a guard of honor as he stepped on the field for his final innings.
Perhaps it is a culture among West Indians as their timing becomes entangled with administrative imbroglio, poor form and then they suffer the fate of being dropped initially from the team, then for life!
While indeed it is quite a difficult decision or indecision for any sporting athlete to quit since some will retire then return as Shane Warne is currently contemplating or Lance Armstrong who had returned to cycling on the international stage before his disgraced indiscretions were exposed (use of performance enhancing drugs), I am of the opinion that our West Indian players of the modern era do not prepare for this phase in a formal and specific time as to when to retire.
The evidence can suggest though that many of them do not remain in the team for long periods due to inconsistency, poor work ethic or even due to a display of prolonged indiscipline.
I recalled that legendary fast bowler Curtley Ambrose knew it was time for him after retiring at the completion of the WI tour of England a few years ago. The fans meritoriously acknowledged him then and it was a very emotional scene as Curtley consumed the accolades in that final test match.
Yet on the contrary another outstanding batting great Desmond Haynes was fuming with the WICB during his later years as a player and never got to formally announce his retirement at the time when he should have been hailed as one of the greatest opening batsman alongside Gordon Greenidge.
The factors are quite challenging in some cases since some quit when on top of their game or the team is successful, others quit in frustration or they are cast aside by the selectors; it’s a challenge that West Indians are not famous for doing with precision that will create an atmosphere of global pride and celebration.
It is my considered hope though that the outstanding Shivnarine Chanderpaul will do so whenever he decides to retire and in so doing the world will truly acclaim a world champion of a cricketer on the field in his final innings.
The same should be for Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels since their careers should be long and rewarding.
West Indians however should prepare to quit though on their own terms and befitting the class and charisma that personify the West Indies in association with the audience that they would have brought joy and excitement to across the globe.
Elroy Stephney

Latest News

Letter to the Sports Editor…West Indian cricketers exit in less ceremonious fashion

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

SBM Offshore Guyana & VFMA launch Girls in Football Development...

Imlach and Nandu fifties pilot Harpy Eagles to...

A look at Government’s boldest investment in...

Barker wins big, Khalil and Simpson inch closer...

Trophy Stall on board Republic Cup three-day...

13-year old benefits from Project “Cricket Gear...

Features/Columnists

Forward to the past

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Process, procedure, political people and public servants

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Letter to the Sports Editor…West Indian cricketers exit in less ceremonious fashion

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]