Sobers desperate to lend a hand

Garry Sobers, the former West Indian allrounder and a Wisden Cricketer of the Century, has revealed that he offered to help out the current West Indies team, but has yet to receive a reply from the board.

After opening a concrete batting pitch in the Bayville area where he grew up, Sobers yesterday said he had suggested being a cricketing consultant to the national team, according to the Barbados-based Daily Nation. "I don't want to be coach of the team. I don't want to be manager, but I'm ready to offer my services to West Indies cricket. I always have been," he said. "If they want me, I'm here. But it seems they don't want any help. Maybe they think I'm not good enough to help."

He continued, "I told them I could act as a consultant to talk with the players, help their techniques, that kind of stuff, do whatever they thought was necessary, but I haven't got a reply. Once I'm available, I'll help. It's a pity I'm not involved."

He added that he was frequently asked about the current situation of West Indian cricket, but had to confess he was clueless: "All I could tell them is sorry, but I don't know, because I'm not involved in any way with West Indies cricket right now. I don't know what's going on." He also said that it was only at the invitation of Brian Lara, who broke his record of the highest Test score of 365, has he occasionally helped out in the past.

But Roger Brathwaite, chief executive of the board, shed a different light on the matter, insisting an offer had been made to Sobers. "The Reverend Wes Hall had invited Sir Garry to become involved in West Indies Cricket and Sir Garry had expressed an interest," he said. "Attempts were made through the Shell Cricket Academy of St George's University to have Sir Garry do a master class, but due to scheduling conflicts, that did not take place. "

Whatever the exact reason, Brathwaite was adamant that they still wanted the help and expertise of one of Sobers, one of the game's greatest allrounders. He said: "The WICB, however, is still interested in having an icon such as Sir Garry involved in West Indies cricket and will be following up on his interest."

So, Sobers should soon be teaming up with Lara, who Sobers regards very highly. "Brian Lara has a great future. I think he's a great leader, and with him at the helm we could be world champions again."