Critical test for West Indies

The West Indies start a Test match here tomorrow (tonight Caribbean time) critical to the continuing public interest in the present series against Australia and to their long-term viability as attractive opponents.

The blow-out in the first Test in Brisbane last week, when they were bowled out for 82 and 124 and destroyed by Australia by tea on the third day, has shattered their credibility in a country where it has always stood strong. It followed a similarly one-sided loss to Victoria, the country's weakest state team, and increased fears of a disastrous tour, not only for the West Indies, but financially for the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), Channel Nine television, sponsors, ground concessionaries and all those who have budgeted for Tests to last five days.

Although the aggregate crowd of 48 441 for the three days left the ACB over budget for the match, it estimated it lost a further AUS$200 000 (BDS$220 000) in gate receipts from the early finish in Brisbane.

Channel Nine, the network owned by Kerry Packer that has televised international cricket in Australia since his World Series Cricket (WSC) disbanded in 1978, reportedly faces a deficit of AUS$1.5 million a day in advertising revenue with every day lost. Viewers also switch to sport on other networks if the cricket isn't competitive.

On the evidence of Brisbane, both must be wary about the future of the series. Only the West Indies' record at the WACA ground where they have won all five of their previous Tests by convincing margins tempers the doubts.

The first Test defeat was not an aberration. It was the West Indies' 14th defeat in their last 16 Tests away from home of which one has ended on the second day, three on the third and five on the fourth. That amounts to a shortfall of 14 days.

Team manager Ricky Skerritt has already spoken about the adverse effect such results have on potential sponsors. They could affect the West Indies' rank on the international calendar.

Along with England, the West Indies are the only team granted a full tour of five Tests of Australia at present. They and Australia are the only ones that enjoy similar status in England. Others, most notably South Africa, who are more competitive, may prove a more attractive option should the West Indies be unable to check their decline.

West Indies cricket still enjoys unparalleled popularity in Australia as nowhere else. It is based mainly on the celebrated 1960-61 series under Frank Worrell, with its tied Test that was the theme for nostalgic celebrations during the Brisbane match, and Clive Lloyd's awesome side that set the record of 11 consecutive Test victories in 1984, equalled by the present Australians in the first Test and in jeopardy here.

The stunning defeat in Brisbane dealt such goodwill a serious blow. Respect has quickly turned to either sympathy or ridicule.

Some Australians who suffered several indignities when going through a similar slump in the 1980s, not least against the rampant teams of Lloyd and Viv Richards, are now fearful that the peculiar magic of West Indies cricket may be lost for the foreseeable future.

Jeff Thomson the frightening fast bowler who, with his mate Dennis Lillee, fought many stirring battles with the West Indies in the 1975-76 series and beyond, yesterday called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to pay more attention to the present plight of the West Indies than to pumping money into non-cricketing countries like Kenya, the United States and Canada.

Bob Simpson, the former Australian captain and coach during the West Indies' period of dominance, has urged Australia, England and South Africa to help revive West Indian fortunes.

"Cricket is not owned by one or two nations and it is up to the strong and propsperous nations to help those struggling," Simpson said.

Others are less sympathetic. They recognise that it is by their own errors that the West Indies have got themselves into the present plight and they feel they should be left to get themselves out of it on their own.

They are shocked by the lackadaisical training methods compared to their own. Several former players have commented on the difference in intensity between the teams of the 1980s, when the hard task master Dennis Waight pushed the champions of the day to the limit, and the lackadaisical approach of the modern generation.

When he was in Brisbane for the tied Test reunion, Rohan Kanhai, the former captain and coach, was incensed to see a clip on television of a West Indies net session.

"I saw this little fellow bowling and didn't know who he was," Kanhai said. "I was informed he was the team scorer. That summed it up for me."

A lot has been made in the Press about the presence of Brian Lara's latest girl friend. Management has brushed aside the issue as part of the mind games being played by the Australian Press, noting that wives and girlfriends are allowed on tour with permission. But such distractions are bound to be noticed when a team is foundering.

Only a quick turnaround of the present abysmal form will shift the attention back to the middle again and ease concerns that the West Indies aren't worth watching any more.