What does the West Indies success in the T20 World Cup really mean? To me, what this success proves, first and foremost, is that we possess the basic talent-cicketing skills and natural athletic ability to be world-beaters in the sport we so love.
T20 cricket, if anything, is the great equaliser in the sport of cricket. Whereas in Test cricket, and to a lesser extent ODI cricket, huge dividends may be gained by spending vast resources on player development and technical strategies, T20 cricket is more about entertainment and raw cricketing talent.
Let's face it, we are more likely to beat Australia and England 2–0 in a T20 series, than winning a single match in a three-Test series against the same opponents. We continue to churn out world class cricketers, that are considered match-winners in T20 cricket. Chris Gayle and Sunil Narine come to mind.
However, in contrast, we have very few match winners in the Test version. One can argue that we are definitely on the improve in Test cricket, but are no where near what we were in the glory days of the 80s. Since the 80s Test cricketers' preparation and strategy have evolved completely, but that is a whole different argument.
The second thing, and perhaps more important, what the recent success does for us as a region, is to provide the new generation of young West Indians with is a taste of glory in a sport that has meant so much to the people of this part of the world. For decades the success of our West Indian cricketers, from the 50s to the 90s, motivated and stimulated young West Indians to be the best they could be in whatever endeavour they pursued.
That most powerful benefit of West Indian cricket dominance was never felt by this, the 'lost generation.' Now that they have got a little taste, hopefully cricket can continue to provide the stimulus is has for generations to come. Congrats to our West Indian heroes, your success and accomplishment in Sri Lanka means more that simply winning a trophy.
Dr Nigel Camacho
St Ann's
