For those who have, for more than a decade, been watching the slump in West Indies cricket in dismay, the victory in the first Test against England in Kingston (Jamaica) would come as great news for fans of the cricketers from the Caribbean. Packing off an over-rated England team in next to no time by a margin of an innings and 23 runs is reminiscent of the glory days of the West Indies when they ruled the roost with an iron hand.

In fact, on the very day when the Indian Premier League (IPL) proudly broadcast that Englishmen, both former captains, Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen, had been bagged for the highest prices ever at the auction, Jamaican and West Indies fast bowler, Jerome Taylor had decided that he would get into the act. He finished with five for 11 in England’s second innings as the visiting team was bowled for a paltry 51. Taylor also has his place in the record books for having taken a hat-trick against Australia in an ODI.

‘No excuses’, said England captain, Andrew Strauss, while former England captain, Graham Gooch squarely blamed the Indian Lalit Modi’s corruption- and greed-spawning IPL for the division in the ranks of the England team, caused by monetary distractions.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might have opened a Pandora’s box with its backing of the IPL, for there are right-minded cricket boards that see in it a threat to the existing order as well as shorter international careers for established cricketers, who would prefer to make their money quickly and make an exit to be with their families instead of living out of suitcases.

One hopes that the cricketers from the Caribbean do not fall prey to temptation. When Brian Lara was the undisputed king of Caribbean cricket, he was no benefactor of the young. Everything he did was for his own glory. However, his shortcomings were overlooked because of his greatness as a batsman.

Fortunately for the West Indies their latest captain, Chris Gayle, though laid back, seems to have all the qualities that could well make him a great leader, on the lines of Frank Worrell and Clive Lloyd. The fact is, Gayle has immense pride and the young players look up to him. And this is the key to success. With a potentially great captain, there is every possibility that the West Indies will soon be calling the shots in world cricket, sans the arrogance of the Australians. What better news can there be?