Can the 'black' Bradman inspire poor West Indies?

As a demoralised West Indies embark on the fourth of a five match one day international series with South Africa in Dominica today, they will hopefully be inspired by the fact that today is the birth date of perhaps the greatest ever West Indian batsman - George Headley a.k.a the 'black' Bradman.

South Africa have now won 14 of the last 15 ODIs between the countries and this particular series has shown that they are clearly a class apart especially in the batting department where West Indies have looked distinctly average.

Coming immediately after a disappointing performance as hosts of the World T20, this series has prompted another run of doom and gloom stories about the state of West Indies cricket. Some of these pieces have some merit. But Chris Gayle and his fellow batsmen need look no further than Headley for some much need inspiration.

Headley was truly one of the greats of the game. In 22 tests, when he pretty much was the West Indies batting on his own, he scored ten centuries including eight against England. His test match average of 60.83 is one of the best in history, and the tag of the 'black' Bradman was certainly justified. Indeed, Headley's admirers responded by calling Bradman the white Headley, and the fact that is a compliment to the Don shows just how good the pioneering Headley was.

Eras are different of course, but just imagine what Headley could have done in the West Indian side of the 70s and 80s along with Richards, Lloyd and Greenidge et al?

So on the cricket field of heaven today, the members will doff their caps to a very special player on what would have been his 101st birthday. It is to be hoped that today's West Indies players take inspiration from this most wonderful of cricketers. 

Comments

[Mahek]

As someone who never got to see the Windies greats at their prime, it pains me to see this side playing soulless cricket. Now I just watch them to see how Lara-like Darren Bravo's style is.

But if the comments of those close to Caribbean Cricket are to be believed, the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere in sight. Here's what their CEO had to say:

"Sometimes when you speak to the players, you feel a sense of emptiness. The whole notion of being a West Indian, and for what they are playing has no meaning at all."

More on http://www.cricinfo.com/westindies/content/story/461237.html

I've heard similar stories from a professor of mine when I was in grad school. He's played first class cricket in Guyana and is in touch with a lot of international cricketers. He once told me Dwayne Bravo didn't even recognise Everton Weekes when he came into their dressing room. I don't know how much of it is true but still.

[The Reverse Sweep]

It seems to be a very sorry situation. The problems are deep-rooted and if it's true that Bravo didn't recognise Weekes that's terrible. Can you imagine an Australian cricketer not recognising Benaud or Neil Harvey? Gayle seems to have some steel behind that cool veneer. I like his honesty. He doesn't mince his words when the team hasn't played well and his actions with Benn yesterday are to be applauded. Unfortunately, with most of his colleagues though the talent is there, but the work ethic doesn't seem to be.