West Indies lose their sponsor

All through the precipitous decline of West Indies cricket, as so many of their supporters lost their faith, there was one source of unwavering support for the national team. Now, even that has ended. After two decades of sponsoring West Indies cricket in the Caribbean, Cable & Wireless has decided that its money is better spent elsewhere.

Cable & Wireless made this announcement on Friday, after its latest three-year contract with the West Indies Cricket Board, worth $10 million, expired. It said that it would now focus on the 2007 World Cup, which it is sponsoring. It has also signed up nine leading West Indian players, including Brian Lara, for endorsements - a sensible switch, for individual stardom lasts long after the team's lustre has dimmed.

Digicel, which sponsors the Caribbean Championships of soccer, is being tipped to take over the sponsorship of home series. The team's current sponsor on their tour of England is Sandals - though they seem more likely to need galoshes there.