OLDER cricket fans will recall the great power of the Barbados team of decades ago.

For generations, the small southern Caribbean island was recognised as the mightiest force in regional cricket, winning far more than any other territory.

In the process they produced some of the greatest cricketers the world has ever known to the greater glory of West Indies cricket.

Barbadian power was arguably at its pinnacle in the late-1970s when — spurred mainly by a battery of wonderfully talented fast bowlers — they captured four 4-day regional titles in a row.

That Jamaica under the leadership of Mr Tamar Lambert was able to equal that feat in the just-ended fourday season is especially remarkable since the island’s cricket is actually in crisis at the administrative level.

An election to decide the leadership of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has been delayed for several months, reportedly because of the disarray in which auditors have found its financial affairs.

Word yesterday was that the annual general meeting and elections are now set for May 11. This is apparently based on a pledge from the auditors to provide a report on Monday.

Persistent allegations of wastefulness, inadequate accountability and transparency in the management of Jamaica’s cricket have been embarrassing, to put it mildly.

Those in corporate Jamaica who have traditionally supported cricket have apparently lost faith in those responsible for running the game.

Further, although we are now midway the fourth month of 2011, with the traditional rainy season now upon us, club/parish competitions are yet to begin.

Against that depressing backdrop, Mr Lambert — arguably the most successful captain in the history of Jamaica’s cricket — and his men performed in exemplary fashion. They proved yet again that despite shortcomings in the shorter versions of the game, they are the undisputed masters of regional four-day cricket.

We note the comment from Mr Lambert that his team benefited from the responsibility shown by his “senior players”. And we are pleased that though Mr Lambert did not himself excel as a player, he made crucial contributions with bat and ball when most needed.

Crucially, according to Mr Lambert, his team played with “a lot of pride”.

Unlike the great Barbados teams of decades ago, this Jamaica team cannot boast of great players. But they can speak with great pride.

That’s far more than can be said for some of those set to seek re-election and higher office at next month’s annual general meeting of the JCA.