How much is the WICBC to blame for the decline in West Indies cricket?

[jrwb]

I suppose it isn't fair to blame the WICBC for all of the West Indian woes, but some significant degree of blame must be placed at their doorstep - they seem to adhere to some strange and unreasonable rules in the administration of the game here.

There have been rumours that I can remember as far back as the time of Sobers concerning his playing or not playing - similar situations concerning Deryck Murray, Desmond Haynes, Richie Richardson; more rumours concerning Franklyn Rose, Winston Benjamin and even Brian Lara.

I recall Phillip Simmonds saying a few years ago that if you had a difference of opinion with the Board you weren't going to play, and he implied it didn't necessarily have to concern cricket.

Note also that retirement from test cricket in the West Indies usually means retirement also from first class cricket. How the devil are youngsters going to get that extra inspiration if they don't get to play side by side with older and more experienced (test) players? I notice that no moves appear to be made to encourage retired test players to continue playing for national/territorial sides. Coaching is simply not enough - there should be a transition in the first class teams which is noticeably absent. They retire, and to hell with them...

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by jrwb

Note also that retirement from test cricket in the West Indies usually means retirement also from first class cricket. How the devil are youngsters going to get that extra inspiration if they don't get to play side by side with older and more experienced (test) players? I notice that no moves appear to be made to encourage retired test players to continue playing for national/territorial sides. Coaching is simply not enough - there should be a transition in the first class teams which is noticeably absent. They retire, and to hell with them...

I was just thinking about Mervyn Dillon, who was a decent bowler in his day, and is probably as decent now- but he's only 33, and he played his last Test 4 years ago, since when he's disappeared from the regional scene. Which is a shame, because I'm sure that even today, he'd walk into the West Indian side, and at the very least he'd be a good role model for up-and-coming quicks.

[jrwb]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

I was just thinking about Mervyn Dillon, who was a decent bowler in his day, and is probably as decent now- but he's only 33, and he played his last Test 4 years ago, since when he's disappeared from the regional scene. Which is a shame, because I'm sure that even today, he'd walk into the West Indian side, and at the very least he'd be a good role model for up-and-coming quicks.

I tend to agree with you - if Dillon's not better than the current crop of fast bowlers, he's certainly no worse than them...dumped like the rest of them...