Some fans not losing sleep over Windies-fanfare

Barbadian cricket fans are literally hollering for "murder" over the poor performances of the West Indies Down Under.

Some fans have abandoned the television and radio, preferring to get their night's rest rather than pay attention to the woeful Windies.

The Caribbean side were skittled out for a mere 82 on Wednesday night Caribbean time on the opening day of the first Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane.

"I have one question. This question is for Mike Findlay (chairman of selectors)." said Philip Estwick, who was hanging out with buddies in Marhill Street.

Strongest attack

"If a batting line-up fell for 54 and 61 against a mediocre England attack, how could we condemn them for making 82 against Australia - the strongest attack in the world?

"They were only due 35!"

Antoinette Sealy and Charmaine Watts said they had abandoned the Windies and were not prepared to watch any cricket. Both said they had better things to do.

"This (West Indies total of 82) was real bad. I never even turned on the TV," said Sealy, while noting that her twin sister Sandra is a bigger fan.

"I don't waste time with that," said the 24-year-old Watts. "For sure they will lose the first Test. Actually, I don't think they will win any."

Brian Ifill, too, said he had not touched the knob on the radio and would certainly not be tuning in on television.

Can't take it

"How can I watch cricket when the West Indies getting beat up so all the time.

"I like cricket bad, but I can't break up my night's rest with the West Indies getting beat so badly."

Ifill at least expressed some hope for Jimmy Adams' men, saying he believed they will win a Test match.

Some blamed Brian Lara, who missed the visits to the Caribbean by Pakistan and Zimbabwe, for the below par showing of the team.

"Since Lara came back into the side it has been downhill. They (players) were playing well but now that has all changed," said Debra Severin.

She added that in the glory days of Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall et al, she would listen to the radio "day and night. But nowadays, nah!".

Severin ventured to say that the Windies might win a Test.

Her workmate Roslyn Primus disagreed: "How on earth are we going to win one and get out for 82?"

"It will be a hard road back, and we can't get our hopes up. Right now these fellows making `baby runs'. I think I could do better."

Maurice Proverbs defended Lara, backing the champion left-hander to get a century before the tour was over.

He admitted the West Indies were very weak, but also noted that the Aussies had good bowlers.

Two cricketers said they would not jump on the bandwagon of those who "blacked out" on the West Indies team.

Owen Gibson, a former Barbados Under-19 player, said he would still be watching every ball.

"I'm a diehard West Indies fan. I'll bet you Lara will get 500 runs in the series," said Gibson, who also played Division 1 for Wanderers and YMPC.

"I don't know the answers to the problems, but I think (Mahendra) Nagamootoo should have been in the side."

Mike Moore, who played for Yorkshire in the Premier League competition, said: "I am a cricketer, and I will be watching, win or lose."

He said Lara was losing the psychological battle to Aussie pace ace Glenn McGrath and that had to change before the West Indies could get a turnaround in fortunes.

"But I can't stop watching. I will watch regardless of the result."