In a news article on March 1 Richard Coe, CEO of Courts Jamaica, claimed some radio talk show hosts were destroying the country’s psyche through the irresponsible use of freedom of speech. According to him ‘the more outrageous they are the more they appeal to the lowest denominator amongst us, the more audience they get. Those who control the media have a huge responsibility, those who mould public opinion need to encourage positive productive action.’

British playwright Harold Pinter probably went over the top when he said “Cricket is the greatest thing God ever invented on earth. It’s certainly better than sex, though sex isn’t so bad itself”. But cricket to me has always seemed to present a broader stage for drama, to allow a greater canvas for artistic expression, and to encompass a wider range of emotions and moods than any other outdoor game.

Skyrocketing crime, daily roadblocks, corrupt elections, incompetent politicians - Jamaica is simply a disaster. The system just doesn't work, so let's throw it out. Anything must be better than what we have. Things are so bad, they can't get any worse.

It is only a game and, in the larger scheme of things, not very important. But mankind needs its diversions. And no other outdoor sport, and few endeavours of any kind, provides such lasting pleasures as cricket. Here the onlooker measures his satisfaction not merely in terms of results, but in the beauty of the spectacle.

The last national hero was chosen over 20 years ago. A new addition is long overdue, and what better time to debate the question than black history month? Many say former Prime Minister Michael Manley should be the next official hero, while others argue for reggae legend Bob Marley. Both made great contributions to their country and neither would be a bad choice. But there is someone with far greater claims than either - the person who almost single-handedly gave Jamaicans pride in their cultural heritage and is at the same time the most universally loved personality this nation has produced – Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett.

I have been a follower of West Indies cricket almost since I became conscious of my existence. Some of my earliest memories are of lying in my bed beside my father with 3:00 am commentary from Australia on the radio, my sleep deprived mother having chased him out of their bedroom. Among my first heroes were names like Hall, Gibbs, Sobers and Khanai.