WICB may call in Therapist

Psychological help might be coming for the beleaguered West Indies cricket team in Australia.

Barbadian Joe Hoad, a qualified sports psychologist now living in Adelaide, has been having recent discussions with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Hoad, a former outstanding table tennis player, currently works with the South Australian Cricket Association.

"We've been in touch with him because we want to know particularly how they utilise the sports psychologist and what he recommends as the best approach," WICB president Pat Rousseau said on Voice of Barbados' Tell It Like It Is programme on Monday night.

Rousseau, speaking from Kingston, Jamaica, stopped short of saying whether Hoad would join the squad on tour, but added that the WICB was prepared to offer assistance to the team if there was a request from management.

"I don't know what arrangements they will come up with, but certainly if they feel that's what they want, the position we have taken with this team over the last year is that anything that helps the performance and improvement of the team, we are willing to provide it," Rousseau said.

After West Indies suffered innings defeats inside three days in the first two Tests against Australia, captain Jimmy Adams said he would urge management to seek psychological assistance.

"We are not in a position from here to assess what is going on," the WICB head said.

Rousseau also said the WICB had reviewed the eligibility rule during the course of this year but felt it necessary to keep it in place to encourage players to play in the Busta Cup.

The rules stated in part that players must play in the region competitions to gain international selection.

"You have to understand how much the picture has changed. First of all, if we don't run a good first-class season, then our cricketers will never improve," Rousseau said.

"And that is one of the things we are trying to do with the upcoming Busta Cup to strengthen the first-class season."