Sports
(Member of 1983 World Cup winning team)
Undated | April 11, 2007 7:41:29 PM IST
The empty stands at the World Cup have been a sore point for all those connected with the game. Known for their passion and lively spirit, the West Indian fans have reconciled to the fact that their team is not the force anymore in world cricket. The poor turn out even for matches involving West Indies does not augur well for cricket in the Caribbean. Few would have anticipated such a poor performance from the West Indies after the roaring start when they defeated Pakistan. The supremacy that West Indies established that day raised hopes of a resurgence of a team we all had come to fear and love. Sadly, West Indies kept slipping and reached a stage from where a comeback appeared impossible. It was clear that much depended on Brian Lara's form and Chris Gayle's ability to destroy the opposition. Both failed, and with their failure the home team's hopes too vanished. This was the most critical period for West Indies. As host of the World Cup, it was natural for their fans to expect the team to go the distance and West Indies had the potential to make it because they had excelled in the last two editions of the Champions Trophy. By winning the Champions Trophy in 2004, West Indies had promised a lot and there were some glorious moments for Lara and his men. I was impressed by the manner in which the team made it to the final of the Champions Trophy last October in India before succumbing to Australia's mighty combination. Revivals can always be tough and in the case of West Indies it was indeed unfortunate that a team that had once ruled world cricket with authority had now come to suffer humiliation on all fronts. Various reasons were offered for the West Indian decline but at the root was the fact that there was lack of talent. Discipline had also been an issue but there was no doubt that the cricket fraternity was keen to see a strong West Indies team. It was important for the future of the game and I know how dejected and frustrated were some of the former greats who had brought glory to the Caribbean. MORE UNI XC SAM RK1212
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