As a supporter of West Indies cricket, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to justify my interest with each approaching series, whether we are going on tour, or we are hosting another country.

Believe it or not, I am not now so concerned with the standard or consistency of play with which the West Indies are associated. I am addressing the almost predictable confrontations or 'misunderstandings' that usually surface just before the beginning of a series.

I am not being naïve enough to suggest that these issues are not ongoing; I am saying that as responsible parties, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the Players' Association seem to be unable or unwilling to find a way to once and for all devise a formula that is fair and therefore, generally acceptable to all. On the other hand, we could cynically ask, could it be that the parties have a vested interest in having these issues to blame for poor performances when they occur?

workable formulae

Is it too simple to just examine other cricket-playing countries with workable formulae, and with adjustments here and there, bring some semblance of sanity to this madness, for want of a better word?

I am at the point where I refuse to hold any one party responsible, as I believe that both sides have been withholding from us, thus making it easy for the members of the public to take sides without necessarily being fully informed.

Why can't each party, for example, devise individual codes of ethics and mission statements (even if they are overused terms) and see where there are clashes of interests, work them out and then make a joint statement, which everyone should be able to live by? For consistency, individual territory associations should have compatible statements and policies.

Intrinsic to this statement would be an unswerving commitment to the development of the game in each region, the awareness of the stake that we the public as well as the sponsors have in the game, and reflect the pride that should accompany any individual's selection on his/her country's team.

This would of course result in the WICB being accountable when these principles are breached. At the same time, this would also apply to the team and individuals, who would be expected to act as ambassadors and not just represent themselves.

It certainly is not inconceivable that, over time, if this approach were to be adopted with a firm resolve by the WIBC, individual territories and their teams, we would be seeing more committed players, elevated standards, fewer disputes and higher attendance at all levels.

There would also be a greater interest from sponsors who would see a marketable product, as West Indies cricket once was.

Sir, I am now going to wake up from my dream, because reality dictates that we strive on strife and adversity and the above recommendations made in my dream would only seek to lessen them.

I am, etc.,

TREVOR BAILEY

talex_b@yahoo.com

Kingston 8