West Indies must have pride and then game will improve

Elmo Rodrigopulle from the West Indies

CRICKET: Trinidad & Tobago, March 29: West Indians cannot come to terms with the deterioration of their cricket in the last two to three decades.

In the 70s and 80s they were the Lords of the game. They beat every Test playing nation and in fact even whitewashed England who gave the game to the world.

But since the game has tumbled, and keeps tumbling with those in charge of the game here doing their utmost to bring the game to its former pristine glory. Deryck Murray, the former wicketkeeper who stood behind during the glory days and gloved the snicks off speed demons - Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Colin Croft and Malcolm Marshall, believes that the only way West Indies cricket could move forward is when officials stop fooling themselves into believing that the team is in the rebuilding process.

Murray was giving his views at a symposium titled: Rebuilding West Indies cricket at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre in St. Ann's. Murray opined that the only way, West Indies cricketers can start winning again and be successful, is for them to have pride. He remembered the days, when Learie Constantine and George Headley played the game for pride and nothing else.

"Cricketers of years gone by played for pride, you wanted to represent the region and wanted to win. Today, it is not about pride, but money. This is the driving factor and once the players don't have pride in their game, it's no use.

Speaking further, Murray said that the WICB must start working with the under 13 cricketers and breathe a different culture into West Indies cricket.

"We need to catch these players at the under-13 and move from there. At this age we can work with them and get them to understand the history of the game, said Murray. Desmond Haynes who formed a devastating opening pair in world cricket with Gordon Greenidge, pleased for a regional cricket Academy, in order to get West Indian cricket up the ladder. Hayne was addressing the same symposium 'Rebuilding West Indies Glory'.

Haynes further said that a cricket academy in the West Indies is very crucial for success in the game, and insisted that former great Windies players should be involved in assisting the young players at the academy. Haynes was also against the employing of coaches from outside.

Too much money is being spent by the West Indies Cricket Board by bringing in these coaches from outside, when we in the Caribbean can do a better job. If I had to make a choice, I don't think I would appoint a coach of the West Indies team.

"Let me tell you as a former player, that when you reach at the West Indies senior level, it is hard to change a player."

Haynes added that a number of mini academies must be set up in each territory and players can then move on to the major academe my from there.