THE?WEST?INDIES can match other countries with talented cricketers but they need to be guided by senior players.
That’s the strong belief of legendary former captain Clive Lloyd, who says he is convinced that West Indies cricket is on the upward curve.
“I can safely say that we have about 15 to 20 players than we can call on who can compete with the best in the world, what we need is for all hands to be on deck and for the senior players to be there to mentor and guide them in a positive way,” Lloyd asserted.
“Once these young guys get that mentoring and guidance from committed senior players in addition to the wonderful work being put in by the coaching staff, I’m convinced that our cricket will step up to a level where we are competitive against any side in the world,” said Lloyd, a WICB director.
“I have seen the signs; I am seeing the ‘green shoots’ in players like Kirk Edwards and Andre Russell who have come on to the scene and done well and shown that they are quality players who can compete against any team around the world,” Lloyd observed.
In addition to Edwards and Russell, Lloyd said he was also impressed with some other young cricketers who have recently come on the scene.
“The boys in the background are a solid group as well. Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel who are at the Sagicor HPC are two in particular that have bright futures,” Lloyd noted.
“I’m impressed with Krishmar Santokie and Garey Mathurin seems an intelligent bowler, and left arm spinners are an integral part of the game now,” added Lloyd.
“Devendra Bishoo is a very good bowler who is improving with every game and Darren Bravo has to continue converting scores to hundreds, so all in all we have the core. We have bowling in pace and spin and batting,” Lloyd noted.
“It is now just a matter of all these guys continuing to gel together; our one-day squad seems to be quite good, we have good batting and adequate bowling,” a passionate Lloyd said.
“And once you start winning one-day games it’s only a matter of time that you’ll be winning Test matches consistently,” said Lloyd who captained West Indies in the height of the glory years from 1974 to 1985.
Lloyd commended the various coaches for the part they have played in the players’ preparation and lauded the WICB for putting the framework in place for West Indies’ cricket to be strong again.
He also called on business companies to step up to the plate and sponsor the regional competitions and get involved in West Indies cricket.
“We look like we’re forming a formidable team in the limited overs versions and the way forward looks rosy to me,” he said. (EZS)
