Regardless of the spin that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and its myriad spokesmen may wish to put on it, there is no doubt that the shortened format for the 2010 regional four-day first class season is a backward step.

Last year, just about the only praise earned by the administrators of West Indies cricket was in response to the establishment of a home-and-away schedule which allowed each regional team to play 12 first class games over three months. Not since 1997, when there was a similar structure — for that year only — has there been anything resembling adequate length for a Caribbean first class tournament. Last year, as was the case 12 years earlier, the WICB pledged that the lengthened home-and-away season was the way forward — only to renege on its promise a year later.

This newspaper understands and appreciates that cost and the absence of sponsorship were the fundamental reasons for this latest regression. What it reflects, though, is the chronic inadequacy of forward planning and vision in the administration of West Indies cricket. Surely the administrators should have recognised the parlous state of finances from more than a year ago and that, in the absence of sponsorship, the home-and-away format was unsustainable.

We would suggest that it is that very inefficiency and obvious absence of vision that helped to drive the sponsors away in the first place. We have seen evidence of that inadequacy relating to the running of Caribbean cricket in so many instances, that it has become increasingly difficult for the WICB to be taken seriously.

It is that very fact which helps to feed the logic of the recommendations by the PJ Patterson-led governance committee for a complete restructuring of the administration of West Indies cricket.

We note the exchange between the WICB’s new CEO, Mr Ernest Hilaire, and the players union, the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), on this year’s shortened format. Having just arrived, Mr Hilaire cannot be blamed for the build-up to this latest breach of promise. Indeed, the word filtering through is that he has gained good marks for his efforts thus far. He would do well — even as he seeks to do his job — to ensure he is not dragged into the mire.

The shortened format is especially disappointing, given the positive vibe lingering from the West Indies tour of Australia in November/December. For though the West Indies team lost the three-Test series 2-0, they did far better than most expected, and but for the odd ill-judged stroke or dropped catch, could well have shocked the cricketing world by drawing the series or even beating the Australians. The relatively good showing was despite the awful wrangle between the WICB and WIPA which left the West Indies team as ill-prepared as any to leave Caribbean shores.

Mr Hilaire and company will now be hoping that a good, preferably great, showing by the West Indies team in the upcoming 20/20 World Cup in the Caribbean and against the touring South Africans in mid-year will provide the kind of goodwill that could engender desire from the corporate world to become partners of West Indies cricket. We join in keeping our fingers crossed.