(SPORTSMAX) – Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, believes the struggles being faced by West Indies are not down solely to governance.His comments are among the latest to be aired following disparaging comments about the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) made by West Indies skipper Darren Sammy, following the West Indies successful Twenty20 World Cup campaign in India two weeks ago.
Sammy’s comments further fuelled calls for the WICB to be dissolved as has been recommended by an independent committee appointed by the CARICOM Cricket Subcommittee in 2015. But Browne, who is openly against the recommendation, said dissolving the board could have serious implications.
“As far as we are concerned, dissolution will plunge West Indies cricket into further chaos and confusion,” said Browne.
“The issues surrounding West Indies cricket were not exclusively governance issues. I do accept that there are certain weaknesses within the governance of West Indies cricket that must be addressed, but I don’t see how anyone could reasonably suggest that the problem could exclusively be one of governance.”
What needs to happen, the prime minister said, is for each area of West Indies cricket to focus on being better at their specific roles in order for West Indies cricket to rise once more.
“The batsmen, they need to focus on making runs; the bowlers need to focus on taking wickets,” said Prime Minister Browne.
“They all need to field properly; coaches need to concentrate on coaching and those who are involved in administration concentrate on administration. I guarantee that if you have that kind of focus, you have greater discipline in West Indies cricket and with that conviction to win by the players, we’ll be at the top of our game.”