West Indies going places - across the board

This column is based on an interview with Mike Findlay, who is concluding a two-year term as chairman of the West Indies Cricket selectors.

The Performances we have witnessed from our West Indies cricketers in the Cable & Wireless 2000 Series gives me great hope and encouragement for the upcoming tour of England.

'For that testing assignment we have chosen 16 players - six fast bowlers, eight batsmen a wicket-keeper and one spin bowler. True, it is a team that, though balanced, is relatively inexperienced. However, I think the commitment which all West Indies cricket fans have seen since March - plus the welcome inclusion of world-class batsman Brian Lara - will provide the right formula for success on tour.

'In the current season - first against Zimbabwe and now against Pakistan we have seen a transformation in attitude and resolve. We have seen a determination to wrest the advantage from opponents and turn gloom into glory. This fighting spirit, which harks back to the halcyon days of West Indies cricket, is an important factor in the development of any cricket team.

'By no means have all our concerns been answered but the showing by this unit so far suggests that we are beginning to solve some of our problems. I anticipate, with great relish, that Lara's return will strengthen the team's batting and lift its confidence.

'Certainly, the double world record-holder's re-entrance into international cricket will impact significantly on the West Indies fortunes. This is the biggest and best news we have had in recent months and we heartily welcome this superstar back to the fold. His decision has attracted as much attention in England as it has within the Caribbean and this will no doubt translate into greater worldwide interest in the tour.'

The fifth-day fightback in the first Test versus Zimbabwe at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad.

- The match-winning partnership between captain Jimmy Adams and Franklyn Rose in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Jamaica.

- Courtney Walsh's record 435th Test wicket on his home ground, Sabina Park.

- The record partnership between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Nixon McLean in Guyana against Pakistan.

- The aggressive approach to fielding 'players are diving and saving runs'.

'I have no doubt that Jimmy's leadership is one of the factors in the West Indies turn-about. He has shouldered his responsibility extremely well for a man whose ability to make the team was being questioned a few months ago.

'We are seeing a relatively young man showing guts and leadership qualities. He is leading from the front with his own performances, which have improved in this series. It is that kind of leadership that has drawn the respect of his fellow players.

'On the field, we're seeing an all-round respect for a player who is not a superstar but who has won the respect of his team by his own personal commitment to his players, to his team and to West Indies cricket.'

I am as delighted as anyone else that Courtney Walsh is now the world's leading Test wicket-taker and I'm more delighted that he broke the record in his native Jamaica.

'Courtney is a fantastic bowler, cricketer, statesman and diplomat - a great personality - and I wish him the very best in his future. His achievements have come through hard work and dedication and I hope this lesson has gone out loud and clear to the young fast bowlers.'

'He deserves a great deal of praise for his tenacity and commitment to West Indies cricket. He is a great fast bowler. How often has Ambie come back from injury when people think he can't recover' He has come back and won many matches for the West Indies.'

'I've been on the panel for four years. I've enjoyed this stint though it was unfortunate I came at a time when West Indies cricket has not been at its best and we have had to struggle in rebuilding the team.

'This is a job that doesn't have many rewards. Most of the times you're criticised if you do something or don't do something. When it turns out to be good, nobody says: 'You were right' or 'Sorry'. It's a no-win situation but you know what comes with the job and you accept this.'