The legacy of Frank Worrell: the saviour of West Indies cricket

Last Thursday, the legendary Sir Frank Worrell would have celebrated his 100th birthday. If there were anyone capable of halting the rapid decline of West Indies Test cricket—a formidable challenge, especially after England's recent 3-0 thrashing—it would have been Worrell.

The Present-Day Crisis

West Indies cricket is currently in a dire situation, with their specialist batting lineup resembling something as fragile as papier-mâché. While many cricketing nations outside the dominant trio of England, Australia, and India struggle to keep Test cricket alive with brief, two-match series, none face the staggering expenses that the West Indian territories do, as they must import every piece of necessary equipment.

Worrell: The Cricketer and Statesman

Worrell was not just an exceptional cricketer; he was also a statesman for the Caribbean. His life was cut short by leukemia at the age of 42 in 1967, not long after he had led West Indian cricket—an extraordinary blend of athleticism and artistry—to its peak.

In 1957, after England had swept the West Indies 3-0, Worrell was the one who revived West Indian cricket. England's victory was notably marred by controversy in the Edgbaston Test, where Sonny Ramadhin, the West Indies' mystery spinner, was denied a single leg-before-wicket decision in his 98 overs by the home (non-neutral) umpires, as Peter May and Colin Cowdrey blocked his deliveries with their pads. Remarkably, Worrell now has two biographies: Simon Lister's *Worrell*, which captures his on-field prowess as the first black captain of the West Indies, and Vaneisa Bakh's *Son of Grace*, which delves into his private life. Together, these works provide a comprehensive portrayal of this extraordinary figure.

Lister's account highlights how inadequate the West Indies captain John Goddard was during the 1957 tour. Goddard’s approach was so basic that, at the start of an innings, he would instruct each fielder on where to stand, even telling the wicketkeeper simply to stay "behind." At an MCC dinner, Goddard, unable to find his speech notes, simply sat down without saying a word. He also isolated himself from his players, dining instead with the two white tour managers.

Worrell's Complex Life and Early Career

Worrell was a man of complexity, with a personal life that Bakh’s biography reveals to be filled with numerous affairs. In line with the proverb that "no man is a prophet in his own land," Worrell left Barbados soon after becoming the youngest batsman to score a triple century in first-class cricket. He relocated to Jamaica, where a local businessman sponsored him, as there was little financial reward in playing cricket in the West Indies at that time.

While Worrell is known as the first black captain of the West Indies in 1960 (after George Headley had led for a single game), both biographies note that he was initially offered the captaincy in 1957, following the disastrous tour. Although the West Indies cricket board showed foresight in offering the position to Worrell, he declined, as he was pursuing a degree at Manchester University and earning his livelihood as a league professional in Lancashire. There was also the risk that the board might replace him after a few Test series against Asian teams, once England and Australia came back into the picture.

Transforming West Indies Cricket

When Worrell eventually accepted the captaincy, he revitalised the staid and defensive world of 1950s Test cricket, bringing a new vibrancy to the game. His leadership was celebrated when a ticker-tape parade and a crowd of 100,000 saw off his team in Melbourne following their tour of Australia, which included the first tied Test in Brisbane. For the 1963 tour of England, Worrell shifted his strategy away from spin bowling, instead placing his trust in fast bowlers Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith. He also managed to dissolve inter-island rivalries within the team, allowing stars like Rohan Kanhai and Garfield Sobers to flourish together. Worrell’s leadership style was summed up by one of his players, who described him as wielding "an iron fist in a velvet glove."

The Current Plight and Speculations on Worrell’s Approach

If Worrell were alive today and tasked with resurrecting West Indies Test cricket, he would face an overwhelming challenge. The current crisis is stark: anecdotal evidence suggests that young cricketers in the Caribbean are primarily focused on becoming T20 specialists, attracted by the lucrative opportunities worldwide. Few are interested in enduring the gruelling demands of Test cricket, and in several territories, like St. Lucia, there is no longer any club cricket for them to play.

The most recent domestic first-class competition paints a bleak picture. With eight teams competing (including the Combined Campuses and Colleges team, which failed to win a single match), Guyana secured the title again, thanks to their effective use of quick, flat finger-spinners on poorly prepared pitches. There were no scores of 400 or more unless the struggling Combined Campuses team was bowling. The highest run-scorer, Mikyle Louis, showed promise by bravely pushing his front foot forward, but when thrown into the deep end with a Test debut as an opening batsman in England, it was clear he had much to learn.

Meanwhile, the West Indies Women’s team, who were World T20 champions less than a decade ago, is also experiencing a steep decline.

The Potential for Change

West Indies Test cricket is far too valuable to lose. It’s impossible to know exactly what Worrell would do if he had the power to save it today. However, one might speculate that he would start by gathering all the prime ministers of the West Indian territories for a few (or more) drinks and persuading them to dismantle the current West Indies Cricket Board. This board, which consists of two representatives from each territory—Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Leeward, and Windward Islands—along with a few independent directors who seem more interested in appearances than the game itself, is in dire need of reform (much like the ECB).

Worrell would likely enlist the help of West Indies cricket legends such as Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Richie Richardson, and Sir Clive Lloyd to form a nominations committee. This committee could nominate new board directors, potentially selecting West Indians both at home and abroad, with a preference for individuals who are deeply passionate about the game. It’s also plausible that many of these new directors would be women, bringing fresh perspectives to the board.

West Indies Test cricket holds a special place in the sport, with its legacy seen in the graceful performances of legends like Sir Garfield Sobers, the elegant strokes of Worrell himself, the thrilling run-ups of Michael Holding, and the powerful shots of Viv Richards. This rich heritage is too precious to let slip away.