Sir Viv: drastic changes needed

October 24, 2002

After humiliating defeats against India in the first two Tests, chief West Indies selector Sir Vivian Richards says drastic measures need to be taken if the side is to rise to the top again.

And, another West Indies cricket legend, Sir Garfield Sobers, does not believe the West Indies will be a competitive international team for a "long, long, long time".

Sir Viv is also disappointed with the side's performance in India and blamed players' attitude for the debacle.

"We have not performed well. We have to come to terms with the fact that we are not being good enough on this particular tour," he said.

"Because of the legacy of West Indian cricket and a glorious past, I am feeling sad. I know it could have been better if attitudes were much better as well," Sir Vivian said, according to media reports.

West Indies have already lost the series after suffering defeats in the first two Tests at Mumbai and Chennai and will be trying hard to save the October 30-November 3 Test at Kolkata to avoid a humiliating whitewash.

"There are a few good men in the team and a few negative factors, which would continue to poison the side until we get our balance right," said Sir Viv, referring to the factors affecting his team's performance on the tour.

"We have to take some drastic measures in future if we want to get back at the top."

He admitted that the side, which surrendered meekly to India in the first two matches, missed the services of star batsman Brian Lara.

"It has an intimidating effect on the opposition if you have players like Brian or Sachin Tendulkar, whether they score runs or not."

Sir Garry, in an interview with Australia's ABC Online, said the regional authorities made a huge mistake by not bringing along younger players when the West Indies were consistent worldbeaters.

"I think the decline was bound to happen because, during the years that the West Indies team were winning, they never really tried to bring the youngsters through. All they were saying was: `You don't change a winning team.'

"Even if you had two or three fellows in the team that were failing, they still played them because they were winning," said Sir Garry.

"I thought that was the time you should bring youngsters in and groom them along with the experienced players so they can have experience when those players leave the scene.

"They didn't do that. And I think that is the problem. I think that is why today they're struggling so. Although, in my own mind, I know they have some very, very good young players."

© The Barbados Nation

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