HEADLINE: Lara: West Indies Test problems not solved by money

West Indies great Brian Lara does not think their current issues in Test cricket would be resolved by solely investing more money.

They are eighth in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings, having been a dominant force in the 1980s when they set a then-record 11 consecutive Test victories.

In contrast they failed to win any of their three Test series in 2023, but did pick up their first red-ball win in Australia since 1997 earlier this year.

“If you put 100 million, 200 million dollars into the West Indies’ bank account, is it going to change the way we play the game? I’m not sure,” Lara told BBC World Service’s Stumped podcast.

“We are not harnessing the talent that we have.”

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and we have less talent by the day

So how does one harness this talent mr. Lara?

Our most talented players are not in the test team and have not developed their test skills for a very obvious reason.....money, if test cricket was worthwhile then they would devote their time to learning and trying to excel in the format

the more i listen to lara,, the more i like him

In reply to conman

Doan bother to hate on BCL. When he retired from test cricket and went to play for the short-lived ICL he had already proudly served his 'country' and the game on a whole.

Gus Atkinson was able.to give up.IPL this year to focus on his red ball game

Do not underestimate money

In reply to conman
Not by putting all matches on cable and no longer having radio commentary.
Free to air was free marketing of the game

I agree with Lara, except that he couldn’t in an interview blacklist our Caribbean leaders that seem more interesting in selling CBI passports than investing in the lives of our young people and sports especially cricket. Example, I visited the island of Dominica for two weeks before the World Cup final and I didn’t see cricket on any of the playing fields, from north to south, east to west. Imagine WC is in the Caribbean yet not even guys practicing after work as they did before. Not only that but I am back in Dominica, during the first test match and no radio station carried it live neither could you see it live in public places like supermarkets etc, although the West Indies team had two Dominicans or maybe three, since Mikyle Louis, is also a half Dominican. Sadly, I didn’t see much difference in Antigua, St Lucia and St Vincent, where I visited during the World Cup. So cricket is but dead in the Caribbean and I don’t think money can change it. We just need good politicians again that will push programs to support sports and young people

In reply to conman

This is a mindset bro, money was virtually non-existent during WI cricket heyday. And before the Lloyd, Viv era, WI cricketers use to have regular jobs outside of cricket to supplement their income. Passion, flair and desire to be the best ruled the day… today players want the rewards without the effort –

As Malcolm Gladwell tells it, the rule goes like this: it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills, like playing the violin or getting as good as Bill Gates ...

Our guys want to be treated as stars without earning the rights.

In reply to Sylobaby

You dont see young people in the region playing cricket again. There was a nets by my old office and you used to see 3-4 people using it per week. The same 3-4 ppl every week. It’s probable they were in private training with a coach or preparing for a school or club game. Ironically there was a cricket pitch on that same ground and I never saw a game take place there in the 7 years I was there. Not once

In reply to Sylobaby

If it is so bad in those Windward Territories...you better not visit Jamaica aka The Yard...
You would Expire.
Sad is not the word.

How many remember this?

Link

In reply to brians_da_best

Lara is way ff key especially in citing the Green Bay Packers. The packers are owned by the people
in that City. And are all shareholders with all the SAY. It is the only Franchise of its kind in the NFL or
American Sports.
No way people can own anything in WI cricket. It is a private entity and has been
since 1925-26.
One cannot own something and has no say or have say and not being owners.
The WI cricket folks even tell the Regional govts to go to hell sometimes BUT use
them conveniently because they are all SUCKERS.

In reply to conman

Not a very responsible statement by Lara ( my cricketing idol). Money will not solve our issues but lack thereof compounds it. I do agree that talent is not being harnessed. And with what we have we can definitely should have more to show.