Tony Becca
THERE ARE three kinds of speakers in this world - those who are eloquent but say nothing, those who are not eloquent but say a lot, and those are eloquent and say a lot. Desmond Haynes, the former West Indies opening batsman, is one those who are eloquent and say a lot.
On Wednesday evening, Haynes turned up at the West Indies Players Association's fund-raising dinner and awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Port of Spain as the guest speaker, and when he was finished he got a standing ovation, not only because of an eloquence that was surprising to many in attendance, but also because of the substance of his speech.
In an emotional presentation, Haynes not only chastised the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for standing by and twiddling its thumbs while West Indies cricket suffers. He also criticised the players for an attitude that is also hurting West Indies cricket.
ALMOST MOTIONLESS
According to Haynes, the board has been almost motionless in updating the structure of cricket in the region to make it more modern, competitive and sustaining.
"The slow development of on and off the field facilities, the non-installation of floodlights at the main grounds, the absence of former stars from the classrooms of the recently established academy, and the failure to develop a professional league to compensate for the rejection of our players by the English counties are but a few of the examples that can be cited to show that the board has not taken the lead to create a more professional environment and by extension to empower our young cricketers to continue the successful era of our cricket," said Haynes as he pointed the finger at the administrators of West Indies cricket.
In a speech punctuated by rounds and rounds of applause, Haynes, who played in 116 Test matches and was a member of the all-conquering West Indies team from the late 1970s to the early '90s, also zeroed in on the present set of players who he said are well paid but who have let down the side because of their attitude.
"Cricketers who want more out of the game must take a serious interest in all aspects of the game, show greater aptitude and improve their attitudes.
"I want you to forget the excuses and be pro-active enough to take the initiative to do whatever is necessary to correct any technical flaws, strengthen your mental resolve and get the job done for the sake of West Indies cricket," said the man who has scored 7,487 runs in Test cricket. "I want you to 'live the passion, answer the call and get in the game'.
Quoting from the book, 'The Winner Within' by NBA coach Pat Riley, Haynes told the players that "you have no choice about how you lose, but you do have a choice about how you come back and prepare to win again".
"In other words," said Haynes, "when you lose, don't lose the lesson."
In an obvious reference to a West Indies team that is finding it difficult to win, Haynes went on to say that a winning team displays the will to win and is driven to succeed, that the team's actions demonstrate commitment and a compelling purpose; that players in a winning team assume personal and collective responsibility for their actions; that it is all for one and all for one.
Also that the captain of a winning team inspires and motivates, is determined, pragmatic and positive, that members of a winning team support each other and assist team members in achieving individual goals; and that a winning team is confident and flexible and strives to match words with deeds.
On the contrary, said Haynes, a losing team lacks the will, the drive and the heart, it is easily distracted and blames others for everything, and the captain fails to excite and motivate team-mates and is unable to influence results.
Haynes speech was titled "Operation Fight Back", and in pleading to the West Indies cricketers who have been taking a beating for some time now to get up and fight back, he begged them to be positive and not to talk about losing, he implored them to have faith in their ability, and he reminded them that talent without discipline is nothing.
SOME GOOD ADVICE
In the midst of some good advice on how to fight back, Haynes also said that today's players must take their responsibility to West Indies cricket and to the West Indies people seriously, that they must take some initiative and that taking initiative does not mean being arrogant.
If anyone knows how to get the best from whatever talent one has, how to perform, and how to win, if any one knows what is wrong with West Indies cricket and how it can be corrected, it is Senator Desmond Haynes and hopefully the board and the players will not only start to fight back but will also listen to him as to how to prepare themselves for the fight.
