BRIAN Lara believes cricket in the West Indies is still in turmoil and he feels sorry for the players.A player strike, stars left out of the Cricket World Cup squad and the shock dropping of veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul have all unsettled West Indies in the past 18 months.
Lara, a great who scored almost 12 000 Test runs, was critical of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
“I think West Indies cricket has been in turmoil for quite some time,” he said.
“Unfortunately I don’t think the West Indies Cricket Board is doing anything positive towards enhancing that or getting it into a better state.
“I have a lot of sympathy for the players, being a former player myself; I know exactly what they are going through.
“The stress causes (players) not being able to perform. I think we are under a lot of pressure as a team to perform.
“A lot more should be done by the presidents and the board at grassroots level to enhance the game.”
Lara said the search in the West Indies needed to be to create a competitive team, rather than look for another individual great.
“They are loyal and talented cricketers in the West Indies,” the 46-year-old said.
“You don’t want the next Brian Lara; you want the next great West Indies team: that is what we have to strive for.
“Individual fame is one thing but a good team that can be competitive against the best team in the world is more important.” (Sportsmax.com)