Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has attributed the team’s recent struggles to a lack of funds and technological resources, while also urging players to display greater passion and commitment to compete more effectively on the international stage. Following the West Indies’ defeat to India in the first Test in Ahmedabad, Roston Chase had brought up issues related to infrastructure shortcomings and financial struggles across the Caribbean cricket setup.
Lara echoed those sentiments, emphasising that while financial and structural challenges persist, the players’ mindset and hunger for success must also improve. These concerns were discussed by the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee of Cricket West Indies (CWI), of which both Lara and Chase are members.
“If you want to get things done, you have to have the capital to do it. So that is a major part. But at the same time, I would like to urge Roston Chase and the other guys to, do they have cricket at heart? Do they really want to play for the West Indies? And that is the most important thing because you would find a way,” Lara said on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Tuesday.
“I mean we did not have better facilities 30-40 years ago. Viv Richards didn’t bat on any better practice pitches or anything. We had to do the same thing, the same grind; but the passion was different. The passion to play for the West Indies was different. So, I urge the young players to realise that this is a wonderful opportunity.
And I am almost sure that every single one of their parents would have had in the back of their mind, their son playing for the West Indies, their son doing well for the West Indies because it meant a lot back in those days. So, I agree with [Chase on West Indies’ struggles for finances], but I still believe there is an onus on each young player to create that love and desire to play for West Indies,” he added.
CWI should find a way to play for country: Brian Lara
Lara also acknowledged that players should not be blamed for seeking lucrative deals in franchise cricket, noting that the CWI needs to make it financially attractive for players to represent the region.
“I can’t blame any single player for wanting to pursue a career in cricket outside of the West Indies – because the financial difference between playing five or six franchise leagues and playing for the West Indies is significant. And you must feel empathy for that player. But you also have to think about what we can do at home to ensure that that guy, or future players, understands how important playing for the West Indies is,” Lara said.
“The IPL has set out a time when it will only be available to IPL participants. However, six or seven other leagues are emerging around the world, and everyone wants to participate. So, I believe the onus is on Cricket West Indies to find a method to create and unify the efforts of young players who want to go out while simultaneously playing for us. And in a series against India, we want to play well against the world’s top squad. So you want your best players out there. “You don’t want your best players in America or anywhere else in the world,” he said.
If Messi can do it, West Indies cricket also can: Brian Lara
To illustrate this point, Lara cited football legend Lionel Messi, who has spent his entire club career outside his home country but has remained an integral part of Argentina’s national team, showing that players can balance club commitments while serving their country.
“I mean if you look at Argentina, Messi grew up in Europe, but he plays for Argentina. But he played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and he was allowed [to play]. And there’s a lot more South American footballers that do that, and eventually go back and play for their country, and have the pride to do so,” said Lara.
“Australia is able to do it. England is able to do it, to keep their players loyal to their country. So, we have to find a way to do that and not point any fingers at anybody. It’s just that we’ve got to come together as a team, as administrators, as coaches, as players. And really and truly if you have West Indies cricket at heart, you will find a way to move forward,” he added.
You need time to mature in cricket: Brian Lara
The batting department has been a persistent area of struggle for the visitors. The squad touring India does not feature a single batter averaging 30 or more in Test cricket. While promising talents such as Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge, and Mikyle Louis have broken into the team, none have been able to cement their place as regulars, leaving the side vulnerable against stronger oppositions.
“I believe that if a player is being picked on potential only and he does not have the stats to go with it, it is very difficult for him now to get to this higher level, and [to] expect so much from him. I believe that because of that situation, you would find players that are maturing later on.
So, it is either you stick with them – age 22, 23, 24, 25 hopefully reap the benefit when they get into their late 20s – or you look at players that are seasoned, Jason Holder and the guys who may have matured. And if you remember, Graham Gooch scored the majority of his runs in his 30s. A guy like Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey, all these guys started playing late, and they came out to be some of the best in the world,” said Lara.
”So you are going to find, once in a lifetime, the Tendulkars. Age 16, 17, Afridi, the Garfield Sobers who were in their teenage years, they were able to cope with it immediately. Everybody is not going to be blessed with that sort of talent. So, I am hoping that I would like to see a stronger first-class performance before you get into the international scene. 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.
India
