Mumbai: The defiant performance of the Windies team in the ongoing ODI series against the No 2 side in the world, India, has come as a breath of fresh air for Caribbean cricket after a prolonged period of gloom.
In fact, they were handed a crushing 2-0 defeat in the two-match Test series by India before the 50-over series began. The result wasn't a surprise but the disappointing part was how the team capitulated inside three days in both the Tests without putting up much fight.
Victories against higher-ranked teams have become a rarity for the giants of the sport, who dominated the world of cricket in the 1980s and 90s.
They won a Test against England in England in 2017 and defeated Pakistan in a Test in Sharjah in 2016, but the team hasn't had a sustained period of success.
Their only two Test series wins in last four years have come at home against lesser-fancied Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. They last won an ODI series in 2014 against Bangladesh.
Former Windies head coach and ESPNcricinfo expert Phil Simmons feels the structure of cricket in the Caribbean needs a shake-up to bring back the glory days.
"They are going one step forward and two step backward. They did fairly well in England a year back and a couple of years ago against Pakistan and when we thought things are improving, it totally went downhill," said Simmons in an exclusive chat with Firstpost.
"The whole structure of cricket needs to be dealt with and needs to be put in place to so that you get players to play Test cricket at home and abroad. Because abroad it's not the same as playing at home."
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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
We need to listen to Phil.
He did wonders for and with the Irish, and continues to do the same with the Afghans.
In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
He was sacked for talking such things which WICB never likes... Poor Simmo... Still talking things that the administrators do not want to do.
In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
Well , in this Forum I have continuously stating precisely what the last paragraph stated since 2003
in this Forum .
This is despite the Lackeys of the
WICBC/CWI in this Forum being
Critical of what I write .
IF THE GOAL IS TO SAVE WEST INDIES
CRICKET, ALL CRICKET BOARDS IN
THE REGION MUST UNDERGO A COMPLETE
STRUCTURAL CHANGE IT PERSONNEL AND
RULES .
If that is not done WE are simply
Spinning a Top in Mud . Or like the
Character in "ALICE IN WONDER LAND"
WE will be running very fast , while
finding Ourselves in the same Freaking Place .
In reply to Drapsey
WI still not minnow enough for Phil to work his wonders..
In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
There is concrete Proof that the Great prowess of Our Players in the shortest version of the game was achieved not
by the Worst International Cricket Board in the Commonwealth , aka the
WICBC , but by Our Former Great Players .
IT WOULD BE REMISS OF ME IF I DO
DO NOT STATE THE FACT THAT IT WAS
THOSE FORMER GREAT PLAYERS WHO WERE
IN CHARGE OF THIS FORMAT OF THE
GAME.
Sadly when the WICBC gained control
of this version of the game ; it in
essence fired those former Players
who harnessed & honed Our Players :
TO WIN 2 CONSECUTIVE WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THIS FORMAT OF THE
GAME .
This aptly demonstrates the absolute
Stupidity of those current in the
governance of West Indies Cricket .
Worse yet those who claim to be Sports Journalist in the Region bluntly refuse to be critical of those in the governance of West Indies Cricket .
THEY ESSENTIALLY HAVE BECOME LACKEYS
OF ALL CRICKET BOARDS IN THE REGION.
BECAUSE OF THEIR SILENCE REGARDING
THE STEWARDSHIP OF THOSE GOVERNING
WEST INDIES CRICKET , THEY ALSO
WHETHER THEY ARE COGNIZANT OF THIS
FACT OR NOT ; MUST ALSO BEAR SOME
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CURRENT STATE
OF WEST INDIES CRICKET .
In reply to Khaga
old dog new tricks seems to be a legit problem for caribbean cricket
In reply to conman
False pride kicks in with every infrequent lil win..
In reply to Drapsey
Now if only he had listened to Big Idiot and give Shiv the two tests he asked for.....
Is it a coincidence that at this particular time when the head coach position is vacant that Phil is making himself visible? These guys are so easy man .... 
In reply to Kay
Former Windies head coach and ESPNcricinfo expert Phil Simmons
Didn't know the man wukkin for Cricinfo
