Few months ago when I came to know that Bangladesh has replaced West Indies in Champions Trophy, as a cricket fan I was totally shocked. No disrespect to Bangladesh but hey have not only replaced the current West Indies cricket team, but they have replaced the glory of legendary players like Clive Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards, , Malcom Marshall, Brian Lara, Courtney Ambrose and Curtly Walsh. So What has happened to the great West Indian cricket team ?
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They replaced the team which did not lose a single Test series from 1980-1995. The West Indies cricket team once an invincible team has now become an easy fodder for other teams.
Seeing a top class country in the 1980’s fall to a rank of 8th in Tests and ODI’s is a sad sight for any cricket fan.
The present generation has no pride for their past glory in cricket. The youngsters are no more attracted towards this gentleman’s game. Since they have grown up only seeing their team lose, it is tough for them to find some love for cricket.
WI cricket board and players have been fighting for far too long over financial reasons. West Indies players are paid lesser than Indian second tier players. And all those players who are in direct fight with board, are out of the national team.
Due to which these talented players play in multiple tournaments whole year and make a lot of money. It is very obvious that if a player is playing in national team then he is certainly talented to have reached that level. Now to play at that level the most important factor is motivated mind set. But due to their rift with their board, these players are unable to give their 100% and unable to play as a team. The difference can be clearly seen in the IPL where they are highly paid and also loved by the crowd. Here they perform well due to positive mind-set for the game.
And leadership is important. It can bring the habit to fight. Now the West Indies team lacks that leadership. A leader like Clive Lloyd, Ganguly, Dhoni or Waugh is the need of hour for them who can motivate them to play as a team, to learn how to win and to fight again.
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Another reason is that, they are not producing skilful pacers. We haven’t seen an impressive fast bowler from West Indies for the past few years. The Windies team used to be invincible. Batsmen used to fear facing bowlers like Ambrose, Walsh, Michael Holding,etc. It was a time when helmets were not there and these men used to bowl deadly bouncers. Batsman were so scared at that time to face them. West Indies cricket board needs to seriously rethink about their domestic cricket & set up academy’s to train their fast bowlers
And the problem with the West Indies team is that they are highly talented individuals but they don’t play together as a team and no one feels responsible. The same players performs exceptionally well when it comes to leagues like the IPL, BBL etc.
But still, West Indies can be the best team of all if all the players show unity. It is not possible to do any work successfully unless unity in the team. If we see the West Indian team, almost all the players of the team are all-rounders but it is more important to be strong on the field instead of looking stronger on paper.
They have stars like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Dinesh Ramdin, Bravo brothers, Taylor, Roach, Marine and many more but you would have never seen them together in team. Many times Pollard is out of the team and most of the times Dwayne Bravo is out. The major problem is the misunderstanding between the team and the West Indian Cricket Board. If all these problems are solved than no one can stop WI to become world best.
And I seriously want them to shine again likethe 80s and early 90s. WI used to be formidable. I hope they do better in coming future. It is important for this gentleman’s game.
