Insularity Creating 'Monsters' - Harper

Fri, Mar 7, '03

Outgoing West Indies coach Roger Harper says the biggest problem facing West Indies cricket is insularity.

?I think that one of the things that we have to get rid of is insularity at all levels,? Harper said on his return to the Caribbean from the West Indies? failed World Cup campaign in South Africa. ?Everyone wants West Indies to win but they all want their own people to play or whatever,? declared Harper, whose team made an early exit from the 2003 World Cup.

?Until we get rid of that, until we start thinking as one, until we have common ideals and common goals and stop filling our local territorial players with nonsense as I call it, then we are not going to get anywhere because we are creating monsters,? remarked an emotional Harper.

?What people expect is that we breed children for 20 years and what has not been instilled in them in those 20 years, they expect them to come into a West Indies team and in two months? time, the management will put it right and it is not going to happen,? noted Harper.

?The society and the Associations locally have a responsibility to the players and to the region and it is time they start doing it,? added Harper, who played 25 Tests and 105 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies as an off-spinning all-rounder.

The former Guyana captain and vice-captain of the West Indies side, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on March 17, said he enjoyed his three years as coach of the regional cricket team despite mixed fortunes.

Harper, who began his stint as coach in the 2000 home series against Zimbabwe said he is optimistic he is leaving behind a bunch of players who are capable of doing the West Indies proud in the coming years.

?I am very optimistic. I think there is never been a doubt or question about the talent in West Indies cricket and I would like to think that over the years the guys would?ve learnt a bit about what is required at international level.

?And with the experience they?ve gained, I want to feel that they, at this point, they are ready to just launch themselves and perform at the sort of level on a consistent basis that they are capable of doing,? Harper said.

Harper noted that he learnt a lot as West Indies coach and he believes that with the experience gained, he would probably make slight adjustments if similar situations were to arise.

?I know I?ve been criticised for a lot of things but I never heard anyone saying anything about a laid-back approach but maybe that is something I have to reflect on.

?I think as you grow in any situation and you gain experience, you always think that given the opportunity again, there are slight adjustments you could make to certain situations.

?But I think life is about that. Life is about learning as you grow and that is what experience is about, being able to handle different situations when they arise in the future better,? Harper said.

* SOURCE: Guyana Chronicle.