For individuals who have seen the glory days of West Indies cricket, the sight of them lacking the bus to ICC World Cup 2023 was deeply painful.
The legendary Gordon Greenidge and Joel Garner know the sensation of profitable a World Cup. They have been a part of Clive Lloyd’s invincible outfit that lifted the trophy in 1979, beating England at Lord’s.
When PTI reached out to the legendary duo, the sensation of disappointment was very evident after the West Indies did not qualify for the 50-over World Cup in India.
“See! I do not watch an excessive amount of cricket lately, particularly the white ball ones. Earlier, a West Indies defeat used to harm quite a bit however now it would not that a lot as our requirements have fallen over time. However sure, a World Cup with out the West Indies is sort of unimaginable. We’ve no extra depth to hit,” Greenidge instructed PTI.
The view of the 72-year-old former West Indies opener discovered an echo in Garner’s phrases. “We aren’t what we have been, proper! Earlier, there was a variety of satisfaction in taking part in for the West Indies. It was our motivation. Now, the younger gamers are getting extra drawn to T20 leagues. No blame on them as everybody appears round for safety,” stated Garner.
“Our era additionally didn’t get an excessive amount of cash; it got here primarily from County cricket. However now this era of cricketers has many avenues to earn, and so they can’t be blamed for utilizing them. The satisfaction of taking part in for the West Indies must be introduced again,” added the 70-year-old Barbadian.
When the West Indies did not enter the Tremendous 12 of ICC T20 World Cup 2022, then Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt had promised an intensive investigation and revamp. However going by the current occurrences, nothing a lot has developed since. Understandably, Skerritt is disillusioned.
“It’s deeply disappointing to see West Indies lacking a World Cup berth. It’s completely irritating contemplating the lofty legacy our cricket has,” he stated.
So, what’s the means ahead for the West Indies to regain their pomp? “I’ve at all times stated that we have to decide the fitting groups, guarantee availability of one of the best gamers for large tournaments and observe video games forward of them. It assures cohesion.”
“It assures that we stay aggressive and in case you are not aggressive sufficient then the massive groups may not be focused on taking part in towards the West Indies. The group will avoid the stadiums. We’ll go down the pecking order. It mustn’t occur,” he notes.
His phrases maintain a variety of fact in them as West Indies’ preparation for the World Cup qualifiers was bordering on the doltish. For the qualifiers, that are being held in Zimbabwe, the West Indies performed observe matches within the UAE. The situations in each nations are as totally different as chalk and cheese.
Even in that collection, six front-line Windies white ball gamers weren’t accessible, and so they have been: Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph.
Below such a state of affairs, it was robust for the West Indies to search out their vary underneath new coach Darren Sammy and it mirrored of their outing within the Qualifiers.
It has been usually stated that former gamers are usually not actively concerned within the improvement of cricket within the Caribbean, leaving the younger cricketers with nobody to look as much as. “We’re round. We’re prepared to assist. However there must be a correct definition of roles as readability in communication is essential. I do not assume there’s any shortage of expertise within the West Indies. However we’d like a correct system to maintain the younger gamers motivated and targeted. It’s an effort to be made by all of the stakeholders, not simply by one part or one individual,” stated Garner.
“It must be saved in thoughts that West Indies cricket is greater than people look into you; make an sincere effort,” added the legendary pacer. Cricket lovers from around the globe will probably be hoping for that!
