Lloyd blames T20 for Windies Test demise

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Cricket365
January 4, 2015

West Indies chief selector Clive Lloyd feels that the lure of money from T20 cricket leagues around the world has damaged the Caribbean Islanders chances of reclaiming the glory that they once had in Test cricket.

Lloyd, who was the captain of the great West Indies Test team in the 1980's, is concerned that more cricketers from the Caribbean Islands will rather choose to play in the various T20 leagues around the world, as it guarantees a handsome pay packet.

Players like Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell are all currently playing in the Big Bash T20 competition in Australia, while the Windies Test team is playing in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Lloyd, who was speaking at a lecture in Cape Town, said: "They [the players] earn a good wage and that's the situation that they have. They have the choice to play Test cricket or T20.

"We are small islands and if you get a whole host of money, you are a king. This T20 competitions has messed our cricket up.

"Someone like Andre Russell, I spoke to him only a month ago and said you can get into our Test side because you are one of the best allrounders in the world.

"A couple of weeks later he told me he has got a bad knee and could only play one-dayers. It's such a waste that we have a guy who could be a great cricketer who is now not thinking of playing both formats."

The West Indies Cricket Board have a history of financial issues with there players. Just a couple months ago the Windies players went on strike and aborted a tour of India because of a disagreement over money.

Lloyd added: "I don't think there is any cricketer who should strike for money now because they are well paid. We have to impart to our young people the importance of playing for your country. Money is a subsidiary of success."