Garner’s presidency will boost the image and success of WI cricket

Dear Editor,
There are too many unsolved mysteries that surround the current regime of the WICB. Instead of unity being galvanized between the Board and its players; it is the opposite mainly because of indecisive leadership. I was particularly supportive of the incumbent Dave Cameron ahead of Dr. Julian Hunte at the time. However his tenure has been riddled with sufficient controversies which I do not believe he can withstand for a second term. His latest insensitive retweeted criticism of Chris Gayle is an indictment of his temperamental ingenuity.
The WICB remains indebted to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and unconfirmed reports suggest that should Mr. Joel Garner assumes the Presidency, India’s claim for compensation from the ill-fated, albeit aborted WI tour to the country may be reconsidered. Perhaps this is enough reason for Mr. Cameron to depart since the debt is quite burdensome.
The issue of why the WICB under Dr. Hunte and now Mr. Cameron’s failure to sanitize the constitutionality of the Guyana Cricket Board despite numerous calls by key stakeholders including the Berbice Cricket Board and sections of the Demerara Cricket Board remains a mystery. It is unacceptable and the new administration must ensure that the GCB is held accountable in accordance with the country’s laws, relative to the Cricket Administration Bill. While Mr. Cameron is not to be blamed for the crass omission of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the World Cup squad, there is enough suspicion to deem it as victimization given the duo’s role in the abrupt abandonment of the Indian tour. It is certainly not business as usual and a new direction is need under a new leadership.
I would have recently read a part of Mr. Garner’s vision towards restoring pride to West Indies cricket which he declared is important. His action plan to take definitive steps to elevate the WI rankings, review the Board’s structure, consulting with Caricom, better management of its financial resources, youth cricket etc. are just a few target areas that Mr. Garner would have accurately bowled his ball. These are sensitive areas that only someone with an intimate knowledge and vast experience in playing and managing the game will succeed.
It will therefore be to the WICB’S advantage to give the reins of leadership to the former West Indies bowling icon and current President of the Barbados Cricket Association Mr. Joel Garner. His former team mate and another bowling giant Sir Andy Roberts is of the same view and so are many other former and current West Indian players.
The Guyana Cricket Board has agreed to support Mr. Cameron for re-election; perhaps not surprising given Mr. Cameron’s dormant stance regarding the legitimacy of the GCB. However, Mr. Garner may just be the man to bowl at the pace needed to break the shackles (stumps) on March 8th, 2015 when the WICB holds its AGM.
Elroy Stephney

Next week this time the boss of West Indies cricket will be known, hopefully?
Will it be the incumbent, under pressure Dave Cameron from Jamaica for his second term, or will it be new boy Joel Garner from Barbados?
I do not now know, but what I do know is that in the interest of West Indies cricket, it should be Garner.