It was expected. It was anticipated. It was always on the cards.
So why then are we upset by all that occurred over the three days of the first Test between the West Indies and Australia?
Predictably, the West Indies lost but while that was a terrible result and left a sour taste across the region, it did not seem to disturb the atmosphere of the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) lavish meeting on the weekend.
It is a sign of the times when the product, West Indies cricket, can perform so horribly and we do not hear a whimper from the now dysfunctional WICB. Instead, we have been told that a senior counsel has been retained by the WICB to handle their latest encounter with reality—the call for the bunch of them to collectively pack their light bags and leave immediately.
This yet again demonstrates the total lack of care and courtesy that this WICB currently possesses and for which one day, they will have to be held accountable.
As to the defeat in Australia, it was sad to listen to the many disparaging comments from several of the former Australian cricketers such as Mark Taylor, Shane Warne, Ian Healy, Ian Chappel, Michael Slater and Brett Lee. It was almost as if all of them had a tabanca for West Indies cricket, and they were dreaming and recalling the heavy licks they received so regularly in the past, and making jest of the West Indian players.
This was not good commentary and that is why no one can ever deny the class of the English commentary team as compared to the Australian group, who at best appear to be uneducated cricketers with a microphone in their hands.
I was not surprised to be told that many others felt similarly about the over extended humour attempts on the West Indies players, some bordering on being far too personal and aggressively distasteful to be anything but unprofessional.
It has to be noted that a West Indian commentator of the class and pedigree of Michael Holding is not there. I doubt he would allow such immature ranting, or that the Australians would dare attempt such in the face of his honest analysis.
It is to be hoped that going forward this matter can be addressed in the best interest of proper broadcasting but honestly I believe that is asking far too much. Unfortunately, SportsMax, who have the rights for this errant rambling, has no say.
The best course, some would say, would be for the West Indian players to refuse to talk with the Australian media as a form of protest. However, I am not certain that would have the desired effect, and instead might just give credence to their idiotic comments.
Some of the players and even the management who talk to the media should either watch their words or decline comment, because they sound foolish and naïve, just replay Kemar Roach and Curtly Ambrose on the eve of the Test.
The task ahead is not going to be easy. The Australians are on a high. Several of the current players are fighting to remain on the team, since some seasoned players are injured and therefore absent. This means the West Indies can expect an equally tough second test on Boxing Day.
What a Merry Christmas it would be if this team could find the fortitude to make a match of the remaining two Tests. Such optimism may be misplaced but as we know all too well, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty.
We can only hope that the West Indies team find the self belief and faith to prove that true with a spectacular performances as the year comes to an end. If that happens, we will all have a Happy New Year!