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March 2015 |
Within five months of being appointed Director of Cricket for the West Indies Cricket Board, Richard Pybus presented a cricket system review and plan. His report on the health of the game, and his proposals for its recovery was submitted in March 2014, a year ago. The WICB accepted 19 of his 20 recommended goals and actions, deferring the one dealing with professionalization of the first class game. His overall costing for the exercise was just over US$4.5 million. Among his proposals were the following: Proposed West Indies Cricket Board/Team Vision
Proposed Mission
Proposed Goals of the West Indies Cricket Team: West Indies becoming the number one team in Test cricket. Eight years is two world cup cycles. To Achieve a Top Four Position in ICC Test rankings – 5 Years Win 2014 World Twenty20 Winning the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI) Win 2016 World Twenty20 Pybus proposed that within the short term (1-3 months), there should be, inter alia: Acceptance of a 'No Compromise Principle’ on Cricket Excellence to guide and inform clear and transparent decision making, focusing upon the necessary standards and benchmarks of cricket operations, selection and performance to achieve the West Indies Vision of being the Number One side in world cricket. This reinforces excellence in process and outcomes, rejecting mediocrity and inferior performance. Acceptance of a 'Team Windies First' principle in the prioritisation of the international team as the central focal point of the TBs in West Indies Cricket. Prioritisation of Test Cricket as the pinnacle of West Indies Cricket and its protection through priority team selection and strategic scheduling. Structured Cricket Programme: International and Domestic To provide strategy and structure to grow and develop the First Class and International teams by managing the amount of International and Domestic cricket played annually. Goal: 10 Tests per annum, ODIs 15-20 Games per annum, 5-10 T20s per Annum. All sides, West Indies and First Class to be given adequate preparation time for tournaments and preseason preparation. National level camps: 10‐14 day camps to acclimatise and prepare adequately for all competitions to maintain standards of excellence throughout first class and International cricket. Domestic Fixtures signed off well in advance of the season for players to plan and organise commitments and make playing/training arrangements. National Players playing, training and recovery calendar to be controlled by HNS (Head of National Selection) and WI Head Coach with a view to optimal performance and recovery. Team Culture, Induction and Heritage Team Culture: Introduce an Induction Process to the National Team Culture, its history, its values and traditions. The National Team to Vision, Mission and establish its Core Values. Identify and prioritise its standards of excellence on and off the field. Establish panel of former West Indies Captains to carry out induction process and be custodians of this Cricket Wisdom, Values and Traditions. Create a Team Culture of humility, generosity and service to the region, cricket and each other. Ideal West Indies Cricket Team Squad West Indies Squad – 30 Players WI Optimal Cricket System: Professional First Class Cricket Establish Professional Cricket in West Indian First Class Cricket as the foundation of producing elite cricketers for West Indies International teams. Professional First Class Cricket as a defined step in the player pathway to the West Indies International side. To contract 75 Professional Cricketers on an initial 12 month contract to offer them a living wage. Excludes the 15 players on WICB Retainer Contracts. Establish a Full Domestic Cricket Season of six months in duration to provide enough first class cricket to produce elite players for the West Indies International team and to provide entertainment and excellence for the local cricket fan base. All teams to have a professional coach supported by physio and/or conditioning coach and game analyst. Game analyst can be shared between teams. For professional franchise first class cricket to be the breeding ground of the West Indies Team through domestic cricket excellence of world class standard. First class matches to be played at grounds of International standards – wickets and nets. Six first class sides, strength vs strength, representing the TBs. Funding of these sides to be the priority focus of WICB and the TBs to allow professional cricketers the opportunity of achieving the levels of performance that warrant selection to the West Indies Team. Affording the players the opportunity to make a living in the region as a professional cricketer. Coaching: Talent Development Appoint a WICB Coaching Manager: To oversee the development and roll out of all WICB coaching programs and initiatives throughout the territories. A standardised Caribbean philosophy and methodology of coaching relevant to the cricket culture of the region, including the review and updating of the coaching syllabi, levels and continuous education programs to ensure coaches are up to date with game development, skills and knowledge to develop ‘World Class’ players and Teams. Former International Players: Coaching and Mentoring Elite Coaches Pathway: Identify former and current players to put on an accelerated elite coaching pathway to certify and assist them to come through to coach at schools, first class and international cricket. Establish database of former players who can mentor players and participate in coaching initiatives/camps/schools coaching and talks. Identify former and current players to certify as coaches to be available to coach at all levels of the game. Common Vision and Goals for WIPA and WICB WIPA and WICB workshop MOU to take West Indies Cricket to Number One in the World. Seek to create an IPL Window for national player’s participation. The West Indies Cricket System Report Goals & Actions Summary – Approved by Board of Directors can be found at http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/DOWNLOAD/100/0133/West_Indies_Cricket_Systems_Report_2014___Prepared_by_Richard_Pybus.pdf |
