If a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, thenthe Reverend Wes Hall, the new president of the West Indies CricketBoard (WICB), is off and running

Tony Best03-Oct-2001If a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, thenthe Reverend Wes Hall, the new president of the West Indies CricketBoard (WICB), is off and running.And if his first step in bringing some calm to the administration ofthe game in the Caribbean, after the turmoil in the board’smanagement, is an indication of things to come then West Indiescricket is in for better days.That, in essence, is the report card of the first few months of Hall’sterm and it has come from Julian Hunte, a former vice-president of theWICB, and now is now vice-president of the Windward Islands CricketBoard."The first thing one would have expected him to do is what he is doingnow, and that is to make an assessment of the overall situation beforehe comes out with his programme," said Hunte, St Lucia’s foreignminister and minister of foreign trade.And out of Hall’s evaluation of the state of the game should emerge ablueprint that would take the game forward and put the Caribbean backon top of international cricket."Wes’ vision as to where we go from here, which should includeinfrastructure and a development programme that is necessary forcricket in the Caribbean, all of this will help," he added. "It’scrucial."With the Cricket World Cup competition scheduled to be played in theWest Indies in 2007, the cricket administrator and cabinet ministerthinks the Rev. Hall has "much on his plate".To begin with, says the politician, there is the issue of thetroublesome finances of the board that Hall must grapple and try toresolve."He has come in against a backdrop of a lot of controversy and myunderstanding is that there are a lot of problems with the finances ofthe board," he said.Next is the restructuring of cricket in the region.Then, there is the need to improve the infrastructure, the playingfacilities, media accommodation and things like that."He also has the international cricket scene to think about," addedHunte. "There is the 2007 World Cup that is supposed to be held in theCaribbean region, the United States, Canada and Bermuda. "The year2007 is just around the corner and there is a tremendous amount ofwork which has to be done with respect to the infrastructure in orderto accommodate that World Cup series."For instance, what Hall and his team of administrators must work on,suggests Hunte, are the facilities for the thousands of journalistsfrom throughout the cricketing world who are expected to cover theWorld Cup games.With St Lucia planning to build a new cricket stadium, Grenada’sground already in fine shape, and Barbados moving to spend large sumsto bring its facilities up to international standard, the pressure isbuilding on the administrators for efficient and quick action.Hunte admits to being worried about the situation in the region."Generally speaking the state of West Indies cricket is one of someconcern and we hope that Hall, whom we all know well will give us someidea as to the state of cricket and what is needed to be done to bringit under some measure of control to the satisfaction of all the fans,including myself, in the Caribbean and abroad," was the way he put it.Hunte served for several years on the West Indies Board but had togive up his position as vice-president when he became St Lucia’sAmbassador to the United Nations about four years ago.He told the MIDWEEKSPORT that making the necessary improvements to theinfrastructure would prove costly but the money must be found toundertake it.As the former second in command of the cricket board’s hierarchy seesit, the new president must give top priority to the continuing effortsto upgrade the level of play on the field.Given Hall’s knowledge of the game, his exploits as one of the world’sleading fast bowlers of the 1960s and his experience as a touringmanager, the Barbadian, according to the St Lucia minister is wellplaced to get the job done."Wes is very capable but it is not something he can do alone," saidHunte. "I don’t believe anybody would think that he isn’t up to thetask. He has the experience and he has had the exposure in the pastand I have no doubt that he will be able to deal with it effectively."In addition, he can rely on the help of a host of well-wishers in theregion, including Hunte himself, Pat Rousseau, the Jamaican hereplaced as president, and on the assistance of a host of former teststars who have much to contribute to the game."There are the support mechanisms within the Caribbean," stated Hunte."I am sure that Pat Rousseau would be prepared to offer any advice.The Pat I know is a person, whatever happened not withstanding, willnot withhold valuable information to Wes."As a matter of fact, the Windward Islands Board’s vice-presidentthinks the WICB leader should put together a "consortium" ofindividuals from throughout the West Indies who would help him carryout "his massive task that he has on his hand, which is the rebuildingof West Indies cricket".Like Hunte, Hall is a former minister, having served in the BarbadosCabinet for at least seven years beginning in 1986 after he won a seatin the Barbados House of Assembly.During his playing career for the West Indies, which began in the late1950s, Hall appeared in 48 Tests and captured 192 wickets.One thing Hall has going for him is that having hit rock-bottom, thestandard of play in the Caribbean is on the rebound, says Hunte, andwith a good crop of young players either in the side or waiting in thewings for their shot at representing the region, the future looksgood.But much will depend on the kind of encouragement and coaching theyreceive.That’s why Hunte wants the Board president to tap into the reservoirof good coaching talent that exists in the West Indies, and high onthat lists is Joel Garner, who like Hall is one of the internationallyfamous fast bowlers of yesteryear."There must be a group of young people, there are in the Caribbean whoneed to be coached and assisted and there are people in the Caribbeanwho can help," said Hunte. "A fellow like Joel Garner must not be leftout of the process. He has been excellent with our `A’ team. There arepeople who can help and once we involve them, I feel certain we willcome out of this with our heads high."