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The present Contest for leadership of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), between incumbent Tony Marshall and Sir Conrad Hunte has all the elements of a political battle. That is not to say that the protagonists are politicians in a partisan sense. But no contest outside of parliamentary elections has led to such division.

We are confident however that when the dust settles, as with a general election, the interest of the country or in this case, the good of the national game, will be paramount.

This campaign saw last Sunday night, the hand of business paying for a sponsored television programme to boost one candidate. Business houses should be putting money in cricket, not in campaigns. This sends an ominous signal.

And last Thursday we had the spectacle of umpires withdrawing from the start of the final round of the Nortel Youth Tournament because of a silly statement made by the BCA President which he retracted in advance of the start of play. We readily concede however that the statement, even if 100 per cent accurate, was bound to offend and alienate a body with which the Barbados Cricket Association needs to be on good and close terms every day of the year.

To what extent was the election fever a factor in the strike?

The two candidates for president have both made outstanding contributions to the development of our cricket. Tony Marshall has helped to convert cricket into a viable and sustainable business, has improved the finances of the BCA and has overseen significant work on the infrastructure at Kensington Oval.

Sir Conrad Hunte brings to the contest a huge reputation as one of the great opening batsmen and gentlemen of the game and a worker for its development, especially in South Africa.

Both candidates are emphasising what is called ``cricket development''.

In his campaigning, Sir Conrad makes specific promises that relate to providing coaches for cricket clubs and ``raising cricket back to its former glory''. He boasts of having a team which includes several national and international players.

Marshall promises to boost young players and the national team through cricket clinics and coaching, while committing to prepare Kensington Oval to host the World Cup in the Year 2007.

Both men are playing to their strengths – Sir Conrad on cricketing programmes without adequately addressing the financial and business matters of the BCA; Marshall on the value of sound finances and profitability, without which none of the glamour or cost of employing 24 full time coaches for clubs would be possible.

The excitement over the return of Sir Conrad to Barbados after 30 years is somewhat reduced because of the notion he himself has created that he is here to save Barbados cricket. It is seen as a slap in the face of so many other ex-internationals like Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Garry Sobers, Wes Hall and Seymour Nurse, among others who have dedicated themselves to work at a level other than at the top of the BCA.

Marshall's shortcomings, like his much publicised difficulties with other board members, stand in the way of earning him the support for the hard work has done. Also, he has not always won confidence by the uncertain way in which he deals with issues, nor indeed his sense of timing, although his handling of the lottery issue last month stands him in good stead.

By this time next week the new executive of the BCA should have met. Whatever its composition, it can look forward to the general support and goodwill of cricket lovers across the land.