BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING sharply on the heels of Sir Vivian Richards, two more West Indian legends – Clive Lloyd and Sir Andy Roberts – have endorsed Team Richard ‘Ricky’ Skerritt/Dr. Kishore Shallow in their campaign for leadership of Cricket West Indies (CWI) in the Elections slated for this weekend.
On record as one of the most successful Test captains of all time, Lloyd spoke to a statement issued by Skerritt and his running mate Dr. Shallow within which they outlined their policies for the betterment of West Indies cricket.
He noted that their detailed policies include a 10-point ‘Cricket First’ plan, built on inclusiveness, integrity and development; ending the move towards exclusive executive control by the incumbents; and a term limit proposal for the CWI Presidency.
“With Mr. Skerritt’s experience, my personal knowledge of him and his commitment and dedication to West Indies cricket over the years, I fully endorse his candidacy and firmly believe that with the support of his board, his vision for taking West Indies cricket forward will bear fruit, Lloyd said.
Reminiscing on the qualities and unselfishness of a past President of the West Indies Cricket Board, Lloyd is of the view that Skerritt is a fitting candidate for his replacement.
“The late former President and West Indies opening batsman Alan Rae, whom I admired greatly, was a formidable President who worked tirelessly using his own funds to keep West Indies cricket at the top of World cricket. West Indies cricket was his first priority. He was a very well respected West Indian/Jamaican, whom I had the greatest honour and pleasure to work with. His commitment and dedication to West Indies cricket was unquestionable and I believe that Mr. Skerritt will emulate those qualities.”
Like Skerritt and Shallow, the former West Indies captain believes in a fixed term period of office for the presidency, noting that it should be either three or four years.
“In America it does not matter how effective or successful you are, you can only serve two terms. By having a Rotation Policy, it inspires other individuals who are suitably qualified to prepare themselves over a period of time and a chance to aspire to attain such high office, also the opportunity to project fresh ideas,” he opined.
Lloyd is also of the view that West Indies cricket needs a new direction.
“We have seen the decimation of West Indies cricket over a long period of time, especially under this administration, much to the humiliation of the Caribbean Diaspora.”
In endorsing the Team, Sir Andy Roberts said: “Over the last 25 years, West Indies cricket has been steadily declining. In the last five-10 years, the administration has declined rapidly; so much confusion with players past and present and West Indian-born coaches. We need a change at the top, so that is why I’m endorsing Ricky Skerritt and Kishore Shallow as President and Vice-President of our cricket.
“They have assured me that they will work with all relevant stakeholders in the region to make sure they get the best out of the region, so that our cricket can move forward and back to a position of respectability. At the moment, it is not there!”
Both Skerritt and Shallow had responded to the comments and endorsements of Clive Lloyd and the former West Indies pace bowler, Sir Andy Roberts.
“It is with a sense of deep humility and appreciation that I have learnt of cricket legends Clive Lloyd and Sir Andy Roberts endorsements. The Skerritt/Shallow team will not let them down,” Skerritt said.
And Dr. Shallow said: “The input of the legends is critical in moving West Indies cricket forward. Clive Lloyd and Sir Andy Roberts endorsing our policies at the outset is special and greatly appreciated.”
Just a few days earlier Sir Vivian Richards had endorsed Skerritt and Shallow.
He described the partnership of the duo as an excellent opportunity for him to have an input as a past West Indies captain, and also from the representation that Leewards would have given to West Indies cricket.
According to Richards, under the leadership of Skerritt, players from the Leewards would have made a healthy contribution to the development of West Indies cricket.
“If we are now looking to make a choice for a new president, I also believe we have people in that particular department in Mr. Ricky Skerritt, who could bring some respectability back to the particular position.
“Why I am saying this is because we as past players who would have put our bodies on the line, we would have certainly represented West Indies 100 percent even more (and) it’s a great opportunity for us to show that we are not insular.
“I hear people speaking about us being insular at times. This is a great opportunity to show that we are not in terms of the transparency with regards to West Indies cricket and its leadership.”
Since announcing their intention, Skerritt and Shallow have been on the receiving end of harsh criticisms from several local cricket boards in the region, as well as from the incumbent President of Cricket West Indies, Dave Cameron.
