Tony Becca

In 1950 when Sonny Ramadhin became the first player of East Indian origin to represent the West Indies, no one would have believed that the day would come when one of his kind would captain the team, much more that one day things would have changed to the extent that two of them would be in contention for the job.

Well, in 1973, Rohan Kanhai became the captain of the team. He was followed by Alvin Kallicharran in 1978, who was followed by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and it is a safe bet, a certain bet, that following the retirement of Brian Lara, the next West Indies captain will be of East Indian origin.

The reason why it is a foregone conclusion that one of Ramadhin's kin will be the next West Indies captain is because the two men in contention are Ramnaresh Sarwan, who, like Kanhai, Kallicharran and Chanderpaul, hails from Guyana, and Daren Ganga, who, like Ramadhin and Lara, comes from Trinidad and Tobago.

There are debates on around the region, however, including one between the selectors, West Indies board members and president Ken Gordon, as to who is the right man for the job and who should get it.

The selectors, it appears, are in favour of Sarwan. The board members, it appears, are split between the two, and Gordon, it appears, is in favour of Ganga.

As the vice-captain of the team, as the man who, between strikes, served in that position on two occasions starting in 2003 when, according to the board, he was being groomed to take over, the 26-year-old Sarwan seems to be the logical choice - and logical if for no other reason than that there must be some reason why the board had listened to the selectors four years ago and, in stepping over the more experienced Chander-paul, had installed him as Lara's deputy.

NO GUARANTEE

Apart from the fact there is a feeling that Ganga is not guaranteed a game on the team, that is the argument of the selectors who, however, can only make a recommendation.

Although the last time it was done by the president alone, the selection is made by the Board and the word out is that some of them, including the president, are in favour of Ganga.

According to them, Sarwan, among other things, is not mature enough to take over the responsibility of leading the West Indies. Ganga, who has led Trinidad and Tobago successfully, is matured and even if he is not the best batsman in the West Indies, he has been good enough to represent the West Indies, he is good enough to represent the West Indies and especially so when good leadership is of paramount importance.

Both arguments have merit and especially so the one in favour of Sarwan.

Historically and definitely so since Jeffrey Stollmeyer took over the captaincy in 1951-52, the West Indies have always selected as captain a player who is considered a 'sure' pick on the team.

These are not normal times in West Indies cricket, however. In fact, these are desperate times.

There is no question about it and there should be no question about it: West Indies cricket is in need of good, quality leadership - the kind of leadership that will guide and lead a West Indies team that, win or lose, the people will be proud of. And once he can get into the team, as he can and as he should, Ganga should be the next West Indies captain.

In an effort to build a strong team - a team of players that will train and practice and in general commit themselves to performance and to excellence, the West Indies selectors, it appears, plan to clean house, not so much because of talent, but more so because of attitude, because of some players' approach to the game and if that is so, then they need a leader who is good enough to lead, who can lead and who is prepared to lead.