ANY follower of West Indies cricket will be cognisant of a few things (not just in the recent past) that clearly manifest a discriminating tendency against Guyana and Guyanese cricketers.

So when Messers’ Neil Kumar and Dr. Frank Anthony lamented the present woes, it is like a case of ‘too little too late.’ However, it is ‘better to be late than never.’ It is quite necessary too, for it seems as though Otis Gibson is on a mission.

First up (using the cricketing jargon), one must be aware of the fact that Otis Gibson ranks among the worst cricket coaches of world cricket. During his playing days, he was the classic mediocre.

The few times he played for West Indies resulted from the desperate need to meet the stipulated quorum of players: it was not by merit that he played. So one can see clearly, that he has nothing of substance to offer except a few coaching certificates.

If it is that he is very good strategically and psychologically, the recent ‘burying’ (since death has already taken place) of West Indies cricket under him, proves otherwise.

The second ‘bone of contention’ is the position of captain incumbent, Darren Sammy. Sammy is the phantasmagorical creation of ‘political’ and anti-PPP social scientist, Dr. David Hinds.

Dr. Hinds contorted and concocted all kinds of reasons to campaign for (and when it happened) explained why Sammy was the right choice to lead the West Indies cricket team.

Not one had to do with his cricketing skills. During that time, very few objected, or at least made their objections known. So what is now happening is simply a case of waiting too long.
The other mind-boggling aspect is the ‘axing’ of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Especially in the latter’s case since, throughout the years, no matter what the state of West Indies cricket, no matter how bitter the quarrel between players and administrators, or sometimes between the players themselves, no matter how heavy the defeats, Chanderpaul has simply put his head down and batted oblivious to the chaos around him.

Think on this: in any limited over version of the game, can one argue about run-rate when a side cannot bat out the stipulation? (I rest my case).

Now since, without belabouring the point further, one can ask cricketing fans to remember what transpired in 1992, when South Africa played a lone test against West Indies. Then it was another Barbadian that created the fracas. The likes of Tony Cozier advocated a strike and boycott of the game, because ‘home boy’ and Mr. Mediocre, Anderson Cummins, was not included.

Imagine such bigotry! So it is more than right that Guyanese stand up against this nonsense, and both Neil Kumar and Dr. Anthony should voice their concern. For too long the WIBC and their collusive coterie have been foisting their machinations on Guyana and Guyanese.

This matter of the absolute disrespect of Chanderpaul and Sarwan is really taking things too far. Support and endorsement for these two must be given, and it is just one way of Guyana not being slighted.