And so it is. Only a few days ago, the cricket fraternity appeared very pleased with the selection of the World Cup Twenty20 (T20) team with all the world class performers included.
I certainly had predicted a victory in the tournament with that team, a feat which would have brought us closer to the hearts of cricket lovers the world over. However, the shocking letters written by the captain Darren Sammy regarding the payment pattern for the players, all indicating their disgust with the contract which was arranged by the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).
Admittedly, it was never clear whether or not the players had continued their support for WIPA since the India tragedy some months ago. Regardless of the changes in attitude among the stakeholders, one would have expected that they will do anything to rectify all the shady areas which caused the dilemma for the players to withdraw their services while in India.
If that was just a simple mistake, then the space for correction it through dialogue among the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), WIPA and the current players seemed the natural hurdle to cross.
This did not happen collectively as the dissatisfaction exposed through the media and the absence of a transparent agreement has brought almost a similar situation, except that the tournament is still a month away and there is time to correct the problems.
While the players emphasised that WIPA should not be their representatives, I wonder if this was relayed to the board? Or was it reiterated since the last comment by Dwayne Bravo and his players?
Never mind the manner in which this was relayed, why would the board not have provided a contract to be signed for approval by each player's signature, even before the team was selected.
This would have wiped away all the areas of discontent and the players can get down to the business of winning the WC T20 tournament. It is strange that our professional cricketers do not follow the high paid professionals in most other sports, all of which are represented by agents or attorneys, appear to be void of such difficulties.
However, the response by the WICB regarding instruction to the selectors to choose an alternate squad, demonstrates that they are not prepared to have discussions with the players about the issue.
I have to admit that I am not certain whether the board presented any written document with regards to the contract for the players. A good sports psychologist will certainly comment that this hiccup may well have some negativity from both parties and could make a change in the performance levels.
I have always made the point that there is no sport called "Administration" while the selected cricketers are the ones who can bring home the trophy.Surely we should try very hard to avoid ruffling their feathers before the start of the tournament. There is still time and the WICB must show the way for a solution.