Compared to media stalwarts like Tony Becca and the late Tony Cozier, I am a novice. Besides, unlike them, this has not been my career, just a way to pass the time. Nonetheless, if I happen to be in the same country that a cricket match will be played, there are usual steps to take and decisions to be made. Let me share them with you.
Accreditation
Cricket West Indies (CWI) now does accreditation for periods at a time, rather than per series, as used to be the case. The media officer, this time Adriel Richards, sends out a form which I complete and send back. Sometimes I have forgotten and the deadline date has passed, then I have to plead memory loss 🙂
I can’t bring pictures and stories to readers, without accreditation, not so much because I couldn’t sit in the stands and write, but because I would have no means to send them to you without the internet! The pass allows access to the box, where wi-fi is provided. Back in 2003 when I started doing cricket journalism, right at this Sabina Park ground, I cannot recall having complimentary wireless. If my memory serves me correct, I would have had to wait until I got home, to upload photos or send my articles.
What to pack?
As a female, it is a little bit more tricky than for my male counterparts, I think. Today, I had to make a stop before heading to the ground, which necessitated a change of clothes. So had to think carefully about what clothes I could pack that could be rolled up and not appear like crushed callaloo, whether I should wear sneakers or sandals and what devices and peripherals I need.
Today as I was trying to hold my iPad steady to take photos, – it was very windy – I was reflecting how back in the day, I used to need a big ole hefty camera (Fuji Finepix) and USB cable. The port on the camera eventually malfunctioned and I used to have to jump over hoops to get the photos from the camera to my laptop. I don’t think my laptop back then had an SD port.
What to write?
Unlike most of my counterparts, who write on the actual match and so already know they are writing about wickets, runs and the state of play, I write about anything and anybody, as evidence by the first such article on May 18, 2003. Afterwards, there was a period when I mostly did player interviews. In the early days, access to the players was unrestricted, thanks to the then team manager Ricky Skerritt. It allowed me to do interview like this one with Tino Best. Then came terrorism and things became more ‘structured.’ My response was to catch the players when they were playing regional tournaments. I used to spot players who I thought were on the cusp of making the team, and seek permission to interview those; players like Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin and Xavier Marshall were in that lot.
*Note to self* Transcribe that interview I did with Sunil Ambris a few years ago 🙁
If I plan to do an in-depth Q & A, I spend some time doing research. Time is short these days so I no longer do in-depth interviews. Besides, it became very challenging to have to sit and wait for days to find out if an interview request would be granted.
For those of you who have never transcribed anything, it takes way longer to transcribe an audio tape than the length of the interview, though I know there has been new technology which helps to transform voice to text quicker. The Lawrence Rowe interview took me over 24 hours to transcribe! I usually present the interview verbatim, so must ensure that I am accurate. One day, I will share what I had to go through to get that interview. Remind me.
For this series West Indies vs Bangladesh, I sent a private request to interview someone not associated with West Indies cricket. Let’s see if that comes through.
If not, you’ll just be treated to any innocuous topic I choose to bring to you, thanks to the kind people at CWI who provide the media with complimentary wi-fi (and lunch, and snacks and water and hot beverages).