Gordon: Skerritt’s job a difficult one

FORMER Cricket West Indies president and current president of Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) Ken Gordon expressed his delight that Ricky Skerritt was voted in as the new president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), saying he is the man for the job. Gordon also asked for patience as Skerritt’s job to improve the state of West Indies cricket will not be easy.

Gordon made the remarks at a QPCC function, at Jaffa at the Oval, St Clair, yesterday. In welcoming Skerritt to the position, a plaque including the details of the first meeting of the West Indies Cricket Board almost 100 years ago was presented to Skerritt.

Skerritt and Gordon have known each other for a number of years and according to Gordon,” If he is still the man that I knew then, I think we are all very fortunate to have who I think is probably the best man for the job at this time. “ That statement was applauded by the QPCC members which included former West Indies cricketer Bryan Davis and former CWI CEO Bruce Aanensen.

The QPCC president said he was not satisfied with the performance of former CWI president Dave Cameron. “He (Skerritt) inherited a position that was not particularly well served by his predecessor, but that (discussion) is not for today. The Ricky Skerritt that I know will want today to tell you about what he hopes to do with the West Indies.”

Gordon said Skerritt and new vice president Dr Kishore Shallow have a challenge ahead and the QPCC president also gave his opinion on what the board should focus on. “The glorious days of the 80s and 90s are simply no more, so what Ricky is attempting to do with his new team is an extremely formidable task. If I have been charged with identifying one word that would perhaps cross his mind when he thinks about the most difficult single thing confronting the West Indies, I would have no difficulty in coming up with what that word would be. Not bowling, not batting, not fielding, not morale, not governance, but consistency.”

Gordon wished Skerritt success but said it will be a long process. “I simply want to tell you how genuinely pleased I am that Ricky Skerritt has been named the president of the West Indies Cricket Board. I want to convey my very best wishes for his success. It is not going to be overnight, but provided that you are going in the right direction this is as much as we could ask for you.”

Skerritt, who replaced Cameron as CWI president on March 24, spoke about his plans to move West Indies cricket forward.

In his address, Skerritt reiterated his plans for West Indies cricket which include, selecting the best available players, giving regional coaches preference ahead of foreign coaches and developing cricket at the grassroots level and youth level.