Pamenos’ drama

The debate rages as to the merits and demerits of Pamenos Ballantyne’s continued denial by Team Athletics SVG for nomination for national awards. The choice for Sportsman by the Athletics Body did not arouse interest on the local front; neither was it given serious consideration. {{more}}

Some people try to rationalise Ballatyne’s grinding as justifiable for his breach of orders. The issue continues to fester, and one fears that the worst is yet to be written.

Chairman of the National Lotteries Authority Murray Bullock put the matter in open domain at the awards ceremony. How much impact his query will have should be assessed.

I dare say, the drama will fizzle out into reasonable finality, in the unfolding manner of natural progression.

Windwards’ debacle

The Windwards have to find some way of steeling up their resolve. And that spirit of determination has to be something entrenched within the psyche of the entire squad. And I don’t think Captain Rawle Lewis has the capacity to inspire that depth of confidence in the players. Neither can he count on the guidance of manager Lockhart Sebastien. For they seem only too willing to be guided by tendencies of insularity, even within the Windwards squad, or marriages of conveniences. And many of their actions are geared towards trying to undermine the progress of the Vincentian element, in the case of Orlanzo Jackson, and personal ego or proving a point in the matter of Dominican seam bowler Fernix Thomas.

It is a pity Deighton Butler and Kenroy Peters have to carry the strain of the new ball, even though Peters does not seem to be fully fit. Batsman Shallow forced himself off the squad after having failed to adjust to the higher level of regional cricket. Perhaps he lacked application. And it may take a long time to recapture the fortune of grafting his way into the squad as easily as he did in 2005.

The Windwards, altogether seem to pay for the lack of cohesion in the entire outfit. For once there are chinks in the armour, any worthwhile opponent is going to find it and exploit it to the maximum.

Barbadian captain Courtney Browne, with his nation going through such woes, salvaged some pride. Lewis was never able to match wits with Browne. Hence the Windwards’ performance never attained the intensity required to match the Barbadians.

Windwards seem hard-pressed to maintain the second spot they had catapulted into on the heels of two successive victories.

The roller coaster pattern continues for the Windwards, and while fans will be overjoyed with a victory, they seem resigned to accepting a dismal batting display nearly every other match.

Commendations are in order to newly elected cricket president Julian Jack. He had been an understudy to Lennox John who manned that position for many years.

Jack will have to stamp his authority, and give St. Vincent and the Grenadines some measure of respect once again at the Windwards level. If he succeeds, the benefits will spill over at the Windwards stage in the first stage and on the wider West Indies circle.