The merry men from the land of calypso lost their appetite to lyme (sic) despite the music being offered by the Red Stripe Disco. The twin island republic players' spirits were indicative of the conditions at the Kaiser Sports Club that prompted the umpires to abandon play early. In fact, this did not go over well with the Brian Lara-led team. They are quite right in assuming that they lost the championship in the Board Room as a result of faulty planning.
The organisers clearly erred in writing the playing conditions. What was intended to inject some excitement into the inaugural staging of the Red Stripe Bowl backfired big time to the point where it was embarrassing. Let's examine the present format and playing conditions.
Importantly, the preliminary round games should not influence the outcome of the semifinal or the final. Therefore, what are the real reasons behind playing a quarterfinal and semifinal? This proposed format only exposes certain teams to unnecessary disadvantages.
First, the preliminary round games turned out to be insignificant in light of the fact that all four teams advanced to the quarterfinals. Let's take the situation in Zone A, for example, whereby the Bermudan team lost all three games played in the preliminary round but could have easily found themselves in the semifinals by virtue of winning one game. What is rather surprising, however, is the question of the elimination process employed. It is stipulated that teams must win to advance to the next level. Therefore, the teams' performances in the earlier rounds should not be used to determine which team advances to the final. It is clearly a question of regress rather than progress.
It is rather unfortunate to be eliminated from a final without any conclusive result from a semifinal game as was the case with Trinidad and Tobago.
Both teams should have started this game on an even keel, whereby no team would have been penalised in the event that the game is not completed. It would, therefore, necessitate a replay in the event that the game was abandoned. It was rather short-sighted for Guyana to advance to the final based on their performance in Zone B. Obviously, no attention was given to the fact that a lot of variables could have influenced Guyana's position in the other zone. The question of the weather, playing conditions, different teams and other off-field factors could have contributed to their 100 per cent win record in Zone B. Both captains and managers were critical of the format at the post-match press conference.
Brian Lara was obviously disappointed that his team was eliminated in this manner. Lara further stated ``that Guyana should be crowned champions in the event that rain should affect the final on Monday, by virtue of their 100 per cent zonal record''.
Trinidad and Tobago manager, Rangy Nanan believes that the organisers should revisit the format. The former Test off-spinner said ``the West Indies Cricket Board should seek to set aside an extra day to accommodate a replay to enable a result, and in the process, guard against any recurrence of this unfortunate situation''.
Nanan further believes ``that since a points system was applied in the earlier rounds, it is quite unfortunate to be eliminated from the final without a result in the semifinal''.
Roger Harper, the former Test all-rounder was also critical of the arrangements. Harper alluded to the fact that the system put in place to penalise the teams, particularly the teams fielding first, is questionable. The Guyanese manager believes that there is need for more equity in apportioning fines across-the-board. He pointed out ``that the team fielding first is subject to a fine in addition to being penalised for not completing the allotted overs in the time allowed, while there is no such consideration for the team fielding last''.
Harper believes that in order to ensure equity, a system should be put in place to ensure that the team fielding last should complete their mandatory overs within the prescribed time, or face similar sanctions likened to that of the team fielding first.
A confident-looking Carl Hooper believes that despite a few setbacks-for example, the late arrival of the coloured clothing for the players in Zone B-the future of the Red Stripe Bowl looks rather promising in his native land. Hooper was quietly confident that he would lift the Red Stripe Bowl on Monday, rain or shine.
A very interesting revelation that came out of the post-game conference was Harper's response to a question from veteran commentator Joseph ``Reds'' Pereira. Harper alluded to the fact that players need more time to settle and adjust to the different conditions in other territories in order to give of their best.
He said ``it is rather difficult for players to arrive at 2.30 a.m. before a game and produce good cricket. Therefore, provision should be made for the players to assemble like two days prior to the semifinal''. In the final analysis, there is much work to be done. The West Indies Cricket Board needs to fine-tune the system of governance relative to the Red Stripe Bowl to encourage equitable opportunity for all the teams in their quest to be crowned kings of regional One-day cricket. Courtesy the Sunday Observer.
Editor's Note: Leewards won the Red Stripe Bowl last Monday