Charting a path forward for West Indies cricket
The talent is present in West Indies Cricket – it just needs investment and nurturing
During the third T20i between South Africa and England, Chris Jordan took his 66th T20 international wicket becoming the highest wicket taker in that format for the England Cricket Team.
Jordan, who was born in Barbados, is a perfect example of the difference between a player receiving investment and backing compared to when they don’t.
Many may that say Jordan could have achieved everything he wanted playing for the West Indies and may point to the 2016 T20 World Cup final as an example. Yet if we measure his impact vis-à-vis his ability to make an impact across a sustained period of time within the world game. He undoubtedly made the right move in representing England.
Jordan gained a scholarship at Dulwich College in Surrey in his youth, perhaps not so dissimilar to the experience of his fellow Bajan, Shai Hope, who received one at Bede’s School in Sussex. Jordan stayed on in England and Hope went back to Barbados – and whilst there should be no doubting that the schooling was a catalyst for Jordan’s career that isnt enough to explain it.
Jordan’s career has been a result of pure professionalism and hard-work in a constant quest to better himself. He isn’t renowned as one of the most athletic cricketers in the world by pure fluke. He works hard on his physicality and his skills as well as looking after himself very well all within an environment that is set up to help him succeed.
Yet the purpose of this piece isnt to herald English Cricket as better than West Indian Cricket rather it is to highlight the importance of Cricket West Indies finding a way to identify and secure their talented players.
Nicholas Pooran’s upcoming stint in the Big Bash League provides a perfect illustration of how things should be done in order to improve communication and ultimately commitment between player and board.
Pooran has already played one ‘A team’ fixture in New Zealand and at the time of writing is schedule to feature in the second later this week. He will then be allowed to go and play six BBL games in Australia. Here both West Indies Cricket and Nicholas Pooran get the best of both worlds for the development of the player in both red and white ball cricket, especially given that the 2022 T20 World Cup will be in Australia.
On the flipside the Andre Russell situation whereby he choose to go to the Lanka Premier League despite claims of injury or bio-secure bubble fatigue, meant he missed the T20 tour of New Zealand.
Wherever you stand on the rights and wrongs of the situation players ultimately have to be managed better, there should never be a situation where Phil Simmons goes into a press conference and doesnt know the whereabouts of Andre Russell. It sends the wrong message re: team direction, especially given that it will probably result in one rule being made for the likes of Russell, Sunil Narine and Chris Gayle but other rules being made for the supporting cast.
The contrast between the Pooran and Russell situation does not suggest a coherent team approach exists. Of course, you could argue that one is a young emerging player and the other a superstar but all players have to be managed as an individual whether that be personally and professionally.
Chris Jordan is just one example of what West Indian cricketers can achieve should they be managed properly from a young age (albeit in a different nation). There is no shortage of talent in the West Indies; only last year their U19 side pulled off victories over England and Australia but the graduation of these players once they touch senior cricket must be carefully nurtured.
Having revamped selection processes via the Selection System Review Task Force, West Indies cricket now has dedicated regional scouts as well as a Talent Identification Manager to look at boys' age group teams. These roles will include the responsibility of identifying and managing the development pathway for these players.
This is a positive step forward as only through such a process can Cricket West Indies chart a players progress, step by step, and clearly communicate their routes.
Ultimately if Andre Russell wants to miss an international tour to play a franchise competition, that can be no problem as long as everyone is on the same page.
CWI now has a clear template in Nicholas Pooran of how you manage a talented player and create a bespoke plan that works for them and the future of CWI. While finances may well make the process harder to implement the importance of making it work –means West Indies cricket cannot afford for that to be an excuse.
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