Lara: Problems lie with structures, not players
Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara feels the Test side would perform a lot better if the domestic structures were improved, and thinks the big names in the Windies side do well as individuals because they play overseas most of the time.
Lara was discussing the Windies’ recent form, because despite beating Bangladesh in the recent Test series, they do not have a good win ration. But he feels they can get back to their best if an effort is made at grassroots levels.
Lara explained: “For me, West Indies’ problems don’t lie with the players. It’s far deeper than that, with the organisation, what they are doing to enhance our cricket from a very low level.
“What you see on the surface, it’s what our cricket is all about, which is not a lot of fabric in it. Until we start doing that, then you can look at the players and make them responsible for their performances.
“You look at some of our players, they are the most sought-after players in the IPL – the likes of Sunil Narine, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard – why as a team you can’t put it together?
“I believe the structure they are playing in, away from home, seems to be a little more organised than what they are accustomed to.”
The world record-holding batsman was also asked about England captain Alastair Cook’s critics, and he said he was impressed with the way England fought back from a game down to win the Test series against India.
He said: “I think it was a great fightback. First of all I was very happy to see Alastair Cook stuck it out and he handled his responsibility which is most important.
“He could not really chart his own course, he had the support of the team, the backing of the selectors and the board and the public – they were on his back for some time.
“it was nice to see England come back under his leadership and hopefully they can take it on to another level because they are a little in the midst of a transition, where they lost a couple of players, they tried to form a new team and it’s a bit difficult especially when your star players aren’t around.”
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