‘WI need guts'

There is an urgent need for a radical shake-up in the region's cricket system. Otherwise the West Indies could face many more embarrassing moments in the future.

This is the word from former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, who for more than 25 years as player, captain and manager maintained the region's hold on the Wisden Trophy.

"We need a radical shake-up in the system. We have to look to get players with steely resolve," he said.

Lloyd was speaking yesterday of the West Indies' 3-1 series loss to England which resulted in the loss of the Wisden Trophy after 31 years.

"How are we going to improve? What are we going to do with our youngsters?" the former hard-hitting left-hander asked.

"The point is we have too many players coming to Test matches with too many faults. This suggests we have bad coaches and bad captains. We need a system with all coaches together and singing from the same hymn book."

He added that there was also a need for camps of a three-week duration where players could benefit from the knowledge of the region's best cricketing brains.

He said the problems exposed in England were not just of a mental nature, but also technical, and this was a major worry.

Lloyd said the pitches in the West Indies were too flat and the domestic bowlers below-par, therefore when the batsmen met Test-quality bowling on responsive wickets they struggled.

He suggested the players were not professional enough.

"The point is that at some time the record had to go. What I was disappointed with was the way they played. They capitulated under pressure.

"At times we did not look professional, we did not look like a Test team," said Lloyd who led the West Indies in a record 75 Tests.

"If we were consistent, making 250 you didn't need 300 we could have won the series. England was more consistent, making more than 250. I always said the sides were even in terms of talent and it was up to the team which batted best and showed more resolve."

He predicted a tough series when the Windies tour Australia later this year as the world champions will be gunning for the Caribbean side.