The test series and one-day internationals between West Indies and South Africa and West Indies and Pakistan was a fiasco from the West Indies point of view. I have no problem with WI losing the game, but how one loses is the question.
Many times the West Indies was in a commanding situation and then gave away the match. Their loss to South Africa is not merely a loss: It is a disgrace.
The South Africans approach was superb. They played each game with full application and total responsibility.
West Indies, on the other hand, played either as if someone were forcing them or they were in a hurry to finish.
Yes it is tough to win all the time, but the West Indies team is inconsistent, technically poor, not adapting to the team they are opposing, and I feel the players have a uncaring attitude towards their any matches. Even in the field, the enthusiasm one sees in the WI team was nowhere near that of SA.
I am told that each player is paid handsomely, and so we, as supporters, expect them to give 100 per cent. I am never confident the WI will do well till the last ball is bowled because their track record in the last few years make me feel that way.
I know cricket is a game of chance, but for West Indies players it is a routine to play badly and feel little remorse.
Since losing the best standing in the world in 1997, West Indies are in a sliding scale.
I feel we are grouped with, or even lower than , Zimbabwe or Bangla Desh. Let us see where the fault lies.
It could be the selectors’ fault, the WI board’s fault or the players’ fault including the Brian Lara factor.
Let us start with the Lara factor. He is the top batsman in the world, holder of many records. Cricket is a team effort and senior players like Lara should generate enthusiasm, confidence and even motivation for younger players to do better, especially under duress.
I believe Lara has an opposite intimidating effect on players. The first test in Guyana proves it,
Chanderpaul and others were relaxed and we could see the professionalism, dedication, and good fight they made.
The only difference was that Lara was not present. It happens not only in cricket: Some people by their presence make others nervous, and then others cannot give 100 per cent.
Does Lara have that effect?
Selectors can only choose from the material available. The selectors ‘ inclusion of Reon King again and again was amazing after his poor performance, and they totally ignored Dwight Washington.
I felt he should have played, being groomed on our home ground. The selectors seldom give importance to spin bowlers, though it often has been proven that spinners win matches.
Look at Anil Kumble, Harbajan Singh of India and both Murlidharan and Sane Warne of Austalia.
All have done well and won matches. Even Pakistan did well here with Deinish Keneria against West Indies. If Chris Gale was taking wickets why did the selectors not include a specialist spinners in our team?
I think we have many promising young players who need to be groomed and matured. I believe the financial benefit or compensation is so small in first-level cricket that many young players are dropping out.
I watched the Carib Cricket Series in rural Jamaica. It was pathetic; it was like curry-goat cricket.
There was no seriousness, the environment was not congenial to play and the standard was poor. If the selectors use these matches sub-standard grounds, then WI players will be sub- standard too.
I have no proof, but it has been said many time that WI players party a lot during the match while the other team is resting.
Who has control over this: the captain, the coach or the manager? This could come from the top. Managers and coaches should see that the players get good rest and are ready to play the next day.
Much needs to be dine in the approach to the game.
I believe that other countries have taken this sport to a level of science, while WI still believe in brutal force.
Bowlers like McGrath, and Kallis may not have the speed, but they know a batsman’s weakness and bowl accordingly.
Even the batsmen in this team did not apply themselves. The glaring piece was when SA won the Third OD match when three WI batsmen got out without scoring a single run and this was a crucial match to stay in contest.
They were going for a big hit away from the line of the ball. WI senior batsmen cannot boast of any consistency either.
Lara, Gayle, Chanderpaul and Hinds are excellent batsmen, but what we need is consistency.
Gayle and Lara have made records, but have lost matches. This is like the situation in which the surgery was successful but the patient died.
I enjoyed watching Kallis with both bat and ball. It was a demonstration of superb technique, application, command and execution. He has shown that no matter what the pitch plays, it is the way one makes the pitch play for you.
The WI cricket board is doing nothing to improve the game. They should look into the team after each series to see what is going wrong.
They should also look into the financial benefits the players receive in first-class matches, ensuring they are properly compensated.
I believe the board members should scour the Caribbean for talent. Losing teams often have excellent players that can be groomed into test material if coached from a young age.
The last factor is the players themselves. I believe that attitude, practice, and 100 per cent effort are the main problems.
I also believe that we need older players in the team to set an example, guiding the younger ones. The idea of getting rid of older players is ridiculous.
Maturity of young players depends on guidance from coaches and older players. A coach should refine and improve the talent rather than change their playing style.
There is no consistency in either batting or bowling.
Batting is a joke. I don’t understand whether they are unable to change from one-day to a test series or whether they are not bothered.
This type of playing is going to affect the future of WI cricket. We do not have a role model.
In the ’70s and ’80s we had Lloyds, Richards, Greennidge, Frederick, and Haynes setting an example for young players.
What about now? Who is there to follow?
I feel sad for players like Devon Smith, who has all the talent, but no guidance.
In the bowling department who is helping? We have Michael Holding telling us in the commentary box about what should be done. Does he advise them at all?
Where are the others like Andy Roberts, Croft and Garner, who should be spending time coaching rather than criticizing?
Is the board not allowing them to lend a hand? As a keen supporter, I want answers.
I am keen to know when our team practices as a team. They are on tour all the time. I see them having a practice session two weeks before a series. Is it enough to know each other and learn from each other?
Do they learn from watching videos of other teams and discuss plans or study the weaknesses of the opposition?
I want to touch on the role of the third umpire. I am happy that the ground umpires use him when they are in doubt. If the ground umpire makes an incorrect decision, the third umpire should be able to rectify it.
WI would have won the penultimate one-day match if the third umpire had given the boundary when the fielder crossed the line while stopping the ball. I felt that the fielder was equally responsible as he should have signalled that it was a foul.
If we decide about the third umpire, he should be have authority to overrule the ground umpire.
How is it other teams can come out of the hole and do well?
India, Pakistan, Australia and South Africa all had lean periods, but have emerged. WI is going deeper and deeper into it, however.
One solution is to leave these tours, take a back seat and assess the situation and decide how to improve.
As in every profession, once our results are poor, we have to stop the program to seek other strategies and change.
WI needs change in the board, change in the team and change in attitude.
If there is none, sponsors will pull out. People who buy season tickets will not buy again as they lose few days of cricket. We had a change in Cayman recently and I hope WI will have it for the Pakistan tour.
I have said before I am lucky: I support WI all the time, and if they do not do well, I can put on my Indian cap.
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