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``The media? Hostile, unfair, waiting to criticise every decision and every play; it's so easy for them!''

``Cricketers and administrators? Evasive, over-sensitive; they don't want us to do our job!''

These sentiments have no doubt been expressed by many cricketers or cricket administrators and journalists respectively.

While the journalist, the cricketer or administrator have different jobs to do and must be allowed to do those jobs unimpeded, the relationship need not be hostile and indeed often is not. Mutual respect for each other's role can go a long way.

Accuracy, fairness and balance are all the cricketers and administrators can ask for, while the media needs timely information to do its job. While both sides have not met those requirements from time to time, the media and West Indies cricket can and do work in partnership for the development of our sport.

In fact, one cannot do without the other. Without the cricketers and administrators there would be no cricket to fill the pages and airtime; and without the media few would know or care about what was going on.

One of the most enduring and critical partnerships is in the area of television and radio broadcast. The key players are the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, the Caribbean News Agency and their member stations and the West Indies Cricket Board and sponsors.

We are therefore able to see every ball bowled or hear the commentary on the radio as well as events like live WICB Press conferences. The recent Busta Cup Final was also a good example of co-operation and commitment on all sides and made the broadcast possible.

The WICB runs this column Across The Board with the co-operation of leading papers throughout the region to give its own perspective on the issues. There is also a new radio series every other Wednesday called WICB Cricketline that is broadcast in collaboration with stations around the region and Cable and Wireless.

Rally 'Round concept

However, a recent initiative of the Nation Publishing Co. Ltd., publishers of The Nation newspapers in Barbados, brought a new refreshing dimension to the media's role. The Nation thought that after the devastating defeat of the West Indies in the first Test, people in Barbados needed to Rally 'Round the team for the Test at Kensington.

Of course, the team's fortune changed dramatically in the second Test, but this did not mean that the need to encourage our players was not there.

Together with the Barbados Cricket Association and some other business entities, a number of activities was planned to build up to the third Test. People were asked to wear red and white on the first day to show love for the team. The public was invited to sign large cards in support of the team and David Rudder was brought in to sing the West Indies Cricket Anthem. Several businesses also sponsored banners and ads in support of the team.

The Nation must be commended for its initiative, particularly at a time when the West Indies team was at its lowest ebb. They made it clear that on the journalistic side they would call it as they saw it, but as a corporation they would play their part in creating a positive vibe for our team. Maybe this effort can be repeated in other parts of the Caribbean.

Congrats to Barbados

Congratulations to the Barbados team on winning the inaugural Busta Cup.

The tournament went smoothly and received good support from the sponsor, SM Jaleel. This is the nursery for our Test cricket, and it was heartening to see players like Nehemiah Perry and Corey Collymore, emerging from Busta Cup to the Test squad. There were many more good performances and the most valuable players have been identified from each team.

Congratulations to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Barbados and the Tournament Winston Reid and other MVPs who have won a computer for their alma mater.

Questions and comments to Across The Board can be sent to the

West Indies Cricket Board,
St. John's Wood, Antigua

e-mail: WICB@candw.ag
fax: (268) 460-5452 or

Saunders-Franklyn Associates Inc.
Suite No. 4, Wildey Shopping Plaza
St. Michael

e-mail: saunders@caribsurf.com
fax: (246) 437-5593