Bassarath wants board/player discussions, more youth development in WI cricket

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) vice-president designate Azim Bassarath has outlined two primary objectives he wants to be achieved during his two-year term as deputy.

On Tuesday, TT Cricket Board (TTCB) president Bassarath confirmed he would be officially appointed CWI vice-president on March 25, after the board’s annual general meeting (AGM) and presidential elections. He ran unopposed.

Within his first three months as CWI vice-president, Bassarath deemed necessary a meeting/retreat with West Indies board members and players to determine a concrete way forward for regional cricket in all formats.

This suggestion was previously made by him last year and gained traction when it was included in the post-T20 World Cup report presented by West Indies legend Brian Lara, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judge Patrick Thompson Jr and South African coach Mickey Arthur, in January.

Bassarath believes this meeting is key for both sides to have a clearer understanding of what is required, particularly long-term commitment, for the all-around improvement of West Indies cricket.

“That (dialogue) is something I feel we should address within the first three months of coming into office. We must meet with the players, have a man-to-man discussion, and find out where they want to go.

“I want to say we must get players who want to represent West Indies and not to use West Indies as a stepping stone for their own benefit.

“We want the best players to represent the West Indies and let us hope that, from now on, we get the best players to represent us in all formats of the game,” he said.

This discussion remains a top priority since most top-flight West Indies players have been opting to play international franchise cricket, for lucrative contracts, over maroon representation.

This, many believe, is stifling the selection pool for the men’s senior team in all formats, and is considered one of the major reasons for the team’s overall downfall.

Additionally, Bassarath is determined to push for an increase in youth development throughout all Caribbean territories. He believes this is another crucial aspect of regional cricket that may have not received the required attention from the past and current regimes.

“I will be focusing more on the cricket aspect of it. I think far too long cricket has been neglected to a certain level and I think that I will try to push as much as possible for some development across the Caribbean.

“I think the U23s is an important age group that we should focus on throughout the Caribbean and I will do whatever I could to get all the territories having an U23 tournament within their tournament.

“We were playing cricket but you were not seeing any sort of plans in respect to development, I’m not saying it’s not being done, but we have to be focused more on development, U23s and so on, across the Caribbean,” he added.

Bassarath’s appointment as CWI vice-president makes him the first TT administrator to serve in this role.

At an executive meeting on Saturday, it was confirmed that Tobago Cricket Association president Kerwin John will replace Bassarath as a CWI director.

Dr Kishore Shallow is the outgoing CWI vice-president but also a keen contender in the presidential race. His challenger for the top position is Jamaica Cricket Association president Wilford billy’ Heaven.

Looking ahead in his new role, Bassarath said he will work with the new president and engage him after the election to see what they can do to push West Indies cricket forward. He does not want the presidential race cause any regional divide.

“I don’t want to see any fraction or disunity among the presidents and the directors. I am hoping that good sense will prevail in the end and we are going to respect each other when the final vote is counted. I know it will be keenly contested and wish both of them all the best.”

On being elected unopposed, he said, “Maybe the other presidents across the Caribbean would have noticed what we are doing in TT and hence the reason why they would have supported me for the position of vice-president.

“I would have spoken to all of them prior to the nomination being submitted, and everyone indicated they would support me for the position. That’s maybe the reason why no other nomination came in.”