debut: 7/11/03
4,561 runs
The regent who once ruled the kingdom is now a beggar at the palace gates, foraging for scraps and pleading for handouts. Meanwhile, those comfortably ensconced within its walls are content to mingle amongst themselves, leaving the others to fend for themselves.
It is sad that West Indies cricket has come to this. But it is not that surprising. The descent has been steady. The West Indies had several world-class players within their ranks after the famous 1995 defeat to Australia, which many saw as a changing of the guard. But when they retired, and as cricket became less popular in the Caribbean, their replacements became less proficient. It took a few years to get to the bottom rung, but West Indies cricket has been hovering there for a while now and its prospects of climbing even a few steps upwards seem dim.
Lloyd was himself placed in charge of the team to try to make improvements. He achieved little in terms of performance on the field. Neither, for that matter, did coaches and selectors like Richards, Andy Roberts, Roger Harper, Desmond Haynes, Otis Gibson, and Curtly Ambrose, among others. None was able to inspire anything looking like lasting success. And it’s not their fault either. It’s just that the talent unveiled has dwindled to the point that moulding it into a winning team would be like turning water into wine.
It is sad that West Indies cricket has come to this. But it is not that surprising. The descent has been steady. The West Indies had several world-class players within their ranks after the famous 1995 defeat to Australia, which many saw as a changing of the guard. But when they retired, and as cricket became less popular in the Caribbean, their replacements became less proficient. It took a few years to get to the bottom rung, but West Indies cricket has been hovering there for a while now and its prospects of climbing even a few steps upwards seem dim.
Lloyd was himself placed in charge of the team to try to make improvements. He achieved little in terms of performance on the field. Neither, for that matter, did coaches and selectors like Richards, Andy Roberts, Roger Harper, Desmond Haynes, Otis Gibson, and Curtly Ambrose, among others. None was able to inspire anything looking like lasting success. And it’s not their fault either. It’s just that the talent unveiled has dwindled to the point that moulding it into a winning team would be like turning water into wine.
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