In addition to calling on players to show more zeal and dedication in order to compete more successfully on the global scene, former West Indies captain Brian Lara has blamed the team’s recent setbacks on a lack of funding and technological tools. Roston Chase raised concerns about the Caribbean cricket setup’s financial difficulties and inadequate facilities after the West Indies’ loss to India in the first Test match in Ahmedabad.
Brian Lara shared those thoughts, highlighting the need for players’ mentality and will for achievement to improve even while structural and financial difficulties continue. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee, of which Lara and Chase are both members, deliberated on these issues.
“You need to have the money to do tasks if you want to. So, that’s a big portion. I would like to ask Roston Chase and the other lads, though, if they have cricket in their hearts. Is playing for the West Indies something they truly want? ESPNcricinfo cited Lara as saying, “And that is the most important thing because you would find a way,” during the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards on Tuesday in Mumbai.
“I mean, thirty to forty years ago, our facilities were not as good. No better practice pitches were used by Viv Richards to bat. The drudgery and the task we had to complete were identical, but the enthusiasm was different. There was a distinct enthusiasm for playing for the West Indies. The young players should therefore recognise that this is a fantastic chance.
In the back of their minds, I’m pretty sure all of their parents would have thought about their son playing for the West Indies and performing well because it was very important to them in those days. He continued, “I agree with Chase that West Indies is having financial difficulties, but I still think it is the responsibility of every young player to inspire a love and desire to play for West Indies.”
CWI ought to figure out how to represent his country: Brian Lara
While acknowledging that players should not be held responsible for pursuing rich franchise cricket deals, Brian Lara pointed out that the CWI must make it financially appealing for players to play for the region.
I cannot hold any one player responsible for wanting to play cricket outside of the West Indies because there is a financial difference between playing for the West Indies and playing in five or six franchise leagues. You also need to feel sorry for that player. Brian Lara stated, “But you also need to feel what we can do at home to make sure that player, or future players, understand that playing for the West Indies is also very important.”
“A time frame that is exclusive to the IPL has been established by the IPL. However, there are six or seven leagues that are forming all around the world, and everyone wants to play. The responsibility, in my opinion, lies with Cricket West Indies to figure out how to develop and coordinate the efforts of the young players that wish to play for us. As well as a series against India, we hope to play quality cricket against the world’s top team. Thus, you want to use your top players. “You don’t want your best players in America or any other country,” Brian Lara continued.
Cricket in the West Indies can succeed if Messi can: Brian Lara
In order to demonstrate that players can manage club obligations while serving their country, Brian Lara used football legend Lionel Messi, who has played for clubs outside of Argentina his whole career but has remained a vital member of the national squad.
“If you look at Argentina, Messi was born and raised in Europe, yet he still plays for them. However, he was permitted to play for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Many more South American football players do that, and they eventually return to play for their country with pride, Brian Lara added.
“Australia can accomplish it. To retain their players’ allegiance to their nation, England is able to do this. So, we need to figure out how to do that without blaming anyone. We simply need to work together as a team—as coaches, administrators, and athletes. And if you have West Indies cricket in your heart, you will find a way to go forward,” Brian Lara continued.
You need time to develop as a cricket player: Brian Lara
For the visitors, the batting department has often been a problem. No batsman in the team travelling to India averages thirty or more runs per game in Test cricket. Although Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge, and Mikyle Louis have emerged as promising players, none of them have been able to establish themselves as regulars, leaving the squad exposed to more formidable opponents.
In my opinion, it is really difficult for a player to go to this higher level and [to] expect so much of him if he is being picked on for his potential alone and lacks the statistics to support it. I think you would discover players who are maturing later on as a result of that circumstance.
Either you continue with them—they’re 22, 23, 24, and 25 years old—and hope they’ll profit when they’re in their late 20s, or you consider more seasoned players like Jason Holder and older players. As you may recall, Graham Gooch’s 30s were when he scored the most of his runs. Adam Gilchrist and Mike Hussey, for example, began playing late and turned out to be among the world’s finest, Lara remarked.
Therefore, you will come across the Tendulkars once in a lifetime. Ages 16 and 17, Afridi, and the Garfield Sobers, who were in their adolescent years, were able to handle it right away. It is not a talent that will be bestowed upon everyone. Therefore, I’m hoping to see a more impressive first-class performance before you enter the global stage. Back in my day, you had to break records. You sat and watched cricket for two years, 20 Test matches, carried the towel, carried the water before you finally got in. And during that period of time, you grew, you matured. And some mature faster than others,” he concluded.
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