A NEW BALL must be bowled into the game of regional cricket.

This assertion is coming from Prime Minister of Grenada Dr Keith Mitchell, who said on Monday that the structure of the governing body for the region's game must change, and the governments, private sector, and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) must work closely to develop the game.

"The whole future of the structure of the West Indies Cricket Board [must change] because we believe, like any other institution in the world, the way we operated 30 years ago has to be significantly changed if we want to succeed; whether it's in business, whether it's in government, trade union or whatever organisation.

"Similarly, West Indies cricket must move in that direction," said Mitchell, who is also chairman of the Prime Ministerial Sub-committee On Cricket. He also said on the first working day of the 28th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference, that Caribbean governments had made substantial investments of "hundreds of millions of dollars" in the development of facilities and therefore had a right to comment.

Mitchell also spoke about the need for a different approach to dealing with problems associated with the game.

"It is clear we cannot continue along the path that we appear to be going at this particular time. We're all aware there needs to be some diplomacy.

"There needs to be less of that public display of disagreements and misunderstandings and more of an opportunity to work together and to share views critically . . . .

"But this airing of feelings and opposition to one another's position publicly while West Indies cricket is continuing to suffer is certainly not helping the region as a whole. I think this is something we have to come to terms with," he added. (DS)