What do they know of cricket, who only about cricket comment?
THE EVIDENCE:
Forgive the tweaking of the immortal words of Trinbagonian Hero, Cyril Lionel Robert James, but the question begs asking in light of the latest commentary by Tony Cozier as, despite the highest of esteem his supremely laudatory erudition -where running commentary of cricket matches-in-progress is concerned- engenders for him, yet, over time, not infrequent concerns have been expressed as to the true nature of Tony Cozier's disposition towards cricketers native to Trinidad and Tobago.
And with good cause, for history reveals that he was utterly dismissive of Richard Gabriel and David Williams; that when talking about Larry Gomes as he always appended the epithet "phlegmatic"; that Gus Logie, to him, didn't have what it takes to be on the team, far less to be vice-captain; that he regarded Brian Lara -even after his magnificent 92 against the murderous wrath of Garner and Marshall at the Queen's Park Oval- as "too young to soca" -Lara, then, was just 18 years old- even as twelfth man; that he regularly bemoaned Phil Simmons's inclusion, even for a One-Dayer; that he's excoriatingly disdainful of Daren Ganga -for years now, the shrewdest, therefore, winningest captain within the West indies- and of incumbent wicketkeeper, Dinesh Ramdin; and that Dave Mohammed doesn't belong up there where the air is rare.
History, too, reveals that Tony Cozier is gifted at prescience, as the heads of those whom Tony Cozier excoriates quickly end up on the selectors' chopping block, or, worse yet, never earn their second look, except they deliver such exceptional performances that even the Heavens cry out on their behalf. Which is what Lara had to do. But Cozier is not known to practice necromancy, therefore, the accuracy of his foreknowledge has elsewhere to lie, perhaps in his being able to exert tremendous behind-the-scenes sway.
And with good cause, for history reveals that he was utterly dismissive of Richard Gabriel and David Williams; that when talking about Larry Gomes as he always appended the epithet "phlegmatic"; that Gus Logie, to him, didn't have what it takes to be on the team, far less to be vice-captain; that he regarded Brian Lara -even after his magnificent 92 against the murderous wrath of Garner and Marshall at the Queen's Park Oval- as "too young to soca" -Lara, then, was just 18 years old- even as twelfth man; that he regularly bemoaned Phil Simmons's inclusion, even for a One-Dayer; that he's excoriatingly disdainful of Daren Ganga -for years now, the shrewdest, therefore, winningest captain within the West indies- and of incumbent wicketkeeper, Dinesh Ramdin; and that Dave Mohammed doesn't belong up there where the air is rare.
History, too, reveals that Tony Cozier is gifted at prescience, as the heads of those whom Tony Cozier excoriates quickly end up on the selectors' chopping block, or, worse yet, never earn their second look, except they deliver such exceptional performances that even the Heavens cry out on their behalf. Which is what Lara had to do. But Cozier is not known to practice necromancy, therefore, the accuracy of his foreknowledge has elsewhere to lie, perhaps in his being able to exert tremendous behind-the-scenes sway.
THE GREAT ESCAPE SMOKESCREEN:
Now, many have been omitted from the above list, because neither time nor space permit. Nor purpose, which is quickly to raise the alarm over Tony Cozier's latest intention, as expressed in his February 22nd 2009, Trinidad and Tobago Sunday Express column captioned "The great escape" -indeed an apt title, given what went down in Antigua in the second test match of the ongoing series against England. (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=161443017)
And, so, it would have been taken, as well, as an innocuous choice of title, except that it belied what was buried within the three paragraphs immediately preceding the penultimate one, for therein, just as he did with a split infinitive, he sticks in another anti-Trinbagonian coded directive to the West Indian test cricket selectors:
And, so, it would have been taken, as well, as an innocuous choice of title, except that it belied what was buried within the three paragraphs immediately preceding the penultimate one, for therein, just as he did with a split infinitive, he sticks in another anti-Trinbagonian coded directive to the West Indian test cricket selectors:
"...It is the other way round for Gayle and the West Indies. They are on an emotional high after their two victories, one actual, the other moral, and everyone is fit.
But they must know they were lucky to get away with the inconsistency that continues to run them into trouble.
In the circumstances, it would be unwise to now (sic) change the XI. Even Powell acknowledged yesterday that his record does not merit his retention as the back-up fast bowler to Jerome Taylor and Edwards, but to leave him out would upset some of the fervour he helped create in Antigua..."
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S FIRE:
Huh? "...unwise to now (sic) change the XI..."?
What arrant nonsense be this? Or, as pint-sized Gary Coleman used to say, "Whatchu talking about Willis?"
"...unwise to now (sic) change the XI..." in the face of the failure of the opening pair -not Gayle- and of the for-a-long-while-now-beyond-the-top-of-his-game performances of one Lendl Simmons -who, incidentally, happens to be from Trinidad and Tobago?
Ah, Tony boy! Your anti-Trinbagonian slip's showing one more time!
What arrant nonsense be this? Or, as pint-sized Gary Coleman used to say, "Whatchu talking about Willis?"
"...unwise to now (sic) change the XI..." in the face of the failure of the opening pair -not Gayle- and of the for-a-long-while-now-beyond-the-top-of-his-game performances of one Lendl Simmons -who, incidentally, happens to be from Trinidad and Tobago?
Ah, Tony boy! Your anti-Trinbagonian slip's showing one more time!
Warner Park, St. Kitts: January 30, 2009.
Lendl Simmons raises his bat to celebrate his double century against England.
Photo: http://tinyurl.com/bk8rsu
Lendl Simmons raises his bat to celebrate his double century against England.
Photo: http://tinyurl.com/bk8rsu
EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE:
Maybe it's time the selectors raise their finger to signal they've had enough of you? But then, what do they know of cricket, who only cricketers select?
Perhaps, instead, it's time all of Trinbago rises up and collectively shows you theirs?
Perhaps, instead, it's time all of Trinbago rises up and collectively shows you theirs?
