Opinion
The recent heavy defeat of the West Indies cricket team in Australia has left many fans and pundits alike wondering how the team can bounce back and regain its former glory. While it may not be easy, there are steps that the West Indies cricket authorities can take to help the team come back stronger and be more competitive in future matches.
First and foremost, the West Indies cricket authorities need to take a long, hard look at the team’s performance in Australia and identify the areas where they fell short. This will require a thorough analysis of the team’s tactics, strategies and individual player performances as well as an examination of how the Australian team was able to exploit their weaknesses.
And it shouldn’t be solely up to the West Indies to do this. Where is the Australian help? How many times has Cricket Australia sent someone in the mould of Justin Langer or Dennis Lillee over there to give a hand?
Where is the funding? Where is one bit of assistance?
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
What is now Cricket Australia made a fortune off West Indian touring sides in the 1980s. Their side inspired the great Australian sides of the 2000s. This nation’s cricket owes a huge debt to their players and teams.
I’ve had a think about it and I’ve come up with a plan to help West Indies cricket.
The first step is to borrow from the strategy of the Moroccan football team who made the semi-finals of the World Cup. Fourteen of their 26-man squad were born overseas. They send talent scouts to European nations and get talented players of Moroccan heritage to turn out for the Atlas Lions.
Why can’t the West Indies do the same? There are millions of people of Caribbean heritage in the United States and the UK. Surely some cricket coaches can put on clinics and see if anyone has some cricketing talent. If England can snare Jofra Archer, surely the same can be done in reverse.
The second step is pace. To win in Australia you need pace. Not one bowler looked threatening in Australian conditions. To bowl pace you need athletes. Find those athletes.
The third step is youth – constant youth tours to Australia funded by Cricket Australia. Get their players to Australia in youth tours in our facilities with the top-level coaching they need.
The fourth step is mental strength. A key area where the West Indies cricket authorities need to focus their efforts is on improving the team’s mental strength and resilience. Cricket is a mentally demanding game, and the ability to stay focused and composed under pressure is essential for success. Cricket West Indies can help the team develop this mental toughness by providing them with the support and resources they need to stay mentally sharp and focused, even in the face of adversity. Steve Waugh would be a great former player to get in contact with.
Ultimately, the key to the West Indies cricket team’s success will be its ability to learn from its mistakes and to continuously improve. This will require a commitment from the team’s players, coaches and support staff to work together and push themselves to be the best they can be.
With the right approach and mindset, there’s no reason the West Indies cricket team cannot come back from their recent defeat in Australia and reclaim their place among the world’s elite cricketing nations.
Keep in mind when England were here on their last tour they went down 4-0. We all know it was the weakest touring side from England in living memory. The West Indies went down 2-0. They showed some positives yet are a long way from looking like winning a Test in Australia, which they haven’t done since February 1997. This is an action plan I would like to see implemented.
They produce great players but could use a helping hand. That help is something I want to see happen.
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