'England series will tell how much we have progressed'
Vivian Richards still likes to play it hard, but now, as the chairman of the West Indies selection committee, the toughness is well blended with diplomacy
Nagraj Gollapudi
09-Mar-2004
Viv Richards still likes to play it hard, but now, as the chairman of the West Indies selection committee, the toughness is well blended with diplomacy. At the start of an important home series against England, Richards tells Wisden Cricinfo in an exclusive that collective effort is the key to rebuilding West Indian cricket.
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Well, it's not just any one individual who is in the hot seat at the moment. Everyone who is involved with West Indies cricket, from the players on the field to the people in the establishment, are working towards the betterment of the game in the Caribbean. So it's not an `I-and-I' thing, it's more like `we'.
Has West Indies' slide as an international team made your job as selector more difficult?
It is always going to be tough. It is all part of the parcel of making selections - selections are a hit-or-miss situation, and especially when you are looking to rebuild the team it is always a patient game you need to play.
It is always going to be tough. It is all part of the parcel of making selections - selections are a hit-or-miss situation, and especially when you are looking to rebuild the team it is always a patient game you need to play.
Would you agree that West Indies cricket is currently on a decline?
What I can agree with is that it is not what it used to be. But all countries go through these periods. Yes, the present West Indies team has not quite reached the peak and we are trying to find a formula [for success]. You may compare that with the present Indian team, who haven't quite hit the straps of success which the people there are craving for. Everyone wants us to be like the West Indies team of the 1980s. Presently I believe there are a whole lot of things that need to improve in terms of the legacy which had been created by West Indies cricket.
What I can agree with is that it is not what it used to be. But all countries go through these periods. Yes, the present West Indies team has not quite reached the peak and we are trying to find a formula [for success]. You may compare that with the present Indian team, who haven't quite hit the straps of success which the people there are craving for. Everyone wants us to be like the West Indies team of the 1980s. Presently I believe there are a whole lot of things that need to improve in terms of the legacy which had been created by West Indies cricket.
We know that rebuilding and development will take time. But the reactions of the board to some of your policies suggests that they are impatient for success.
No, I don't see it that way. The reactions come from people who are concerned enough for West Indies cricket, and these people understand the game well enough. Remember I did say it is a `we' thing, so we cannot look at any individual that we are going to blame here, and people must see it that way.
No, I don't see it that way. The reactions come from people who are concerned enough for West Indies cricket, and these people understand the game well enough. Remember I did say it is a `we' thing, so we cannot look at any individual that we are going to blame here, and people must see it that way.
You have mentioned the need for the West Indian Cricket Board to make some tough decisions. What exactly do you want the board to help you with?
Exactly the same cooperation we are getting from the board at the moment, but we need to sit across the table and sort out issues which require urgent attention. Issues which, I am afraid, I can't discuss in public.
Exactly the same cooperation we are getting from the board at the moment, but we need to sit across the table and sort out issues which require urgent attention. Issues which, I am afraid, I can't discuss in public.
We have read about the insularity among the various countries that make up the WICB. Does that in any way effect the selection panel?
You hear a lot of this these days, but we shouldn't discuss that. These things will surface, especially when the team is not having the success that everyone hopes for.
You hear a lot of this these days, but we shouldn't discuss that. These things will surface, especially when the team is not having the success that everyone hopes for.
| If you have had individuals on whom you were banking for long periods of time and they were not coming up with the goods, then it is time to try out something new |
Do you think there is lack of talent in the Caribbean today?
There are so many programs that are needed for the development of the game and the individual. Only recently we set up the academy which has paid dividends in the form of some young individuals who have emerged in the present team. Rather than lament we should look at how to improve and move forward.
There are so many programs that are needed for the development of the game and the individual. Only recently we set up the academy which has paid dividends in the form of some young individuals who have emerged in the present team. Rather than lament we should look at how to improve and move forward.
Talking about development, are there any changes you see in the first-class game in the Caribbean from the time when you used to play?
Like many of my peers, I played a lot of county cricket in England regularly which gave me an opportunity to develop the sense of professionalism which helped me grow as a complete individual. Unfortunately that is not as common these days. Of course the number of teams in the domestic circuit has increased which provides them many opportunities to prove their worth before they play for the country.
Like many of my peers, I played a lot of county cricket in England regularly which gave me an opportunity to develop the sense of professionalism which helped me grow as a complete individual. Unfortunately that is not as common these days. Of course the number of teams in the domestic circuit has increased which provides them many opportunities to prove their worth before they play for the country.
Under your regime, West Indies have blooded raw youngsters like Omari Banks, Fidel Edwards, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith and now Dwight Washington. Isn't this a gamble?
If you are looking to move forward, and you have had individuals on whom you were banking for long periods of time and they were not coming up with the goods, then it is time to try out something new. This is all part of selection - you never know until you take chances.
If you are looking to move forward, and you have had individuals on whom you were banking for long periods of time and they were not coming up with the goods, then it is time to try out something new. This is all part of selection - you never know until you take chances.
The West Indian fielding has been quite abysmal in the recent past, which is one of the factors that has made your bowling look very weak.
Yes, we need to work on our fielding, but presently there are a lot of other uncertainties and we are working to eliminate them.
Yes, we need to work on our fielding, but presently there are a lot of other uncertainties and we are working to eliminate them.
How do you assess the West Indian bowling?
It is not as strong as it used to be, but at the moment we have some vibrant individuals, and this England series gives us an opportunity to see how much we have progressed from the South African tour.
It is not as strong as it used to be, but at the moment we have some vibrant individuals, and this England series gives us an opportunity to see how much we have progressed from the South African tour.
Is the dropping of Mervyn Dillon and Vasbert Drakes a case of rotating the fast bowlers?
I wouldn't say so at this point of time. We have a panel of judges who decided it was time to carry out a few changes and we just did that.
I wouldn't say so at this point of time. We have a panel of judges who decided it was time to carry out a few changes and we just did that.
What is your solution to the problem of indisciplined batting that has plagued West Indies?
I only select. It is for the coach to talk about what happens on the field.
I only select. It is for the coach to talk about what happens on the field.
It's been two years since you took over. What are your priorities now?
When you are rebuilding there are people who were always there before but you like to see people of your own choice - people whom you like, and with whom you are comfortable. And this requires a period of time. And my priorities are still the same: to build the team. This is what it's all about - building a squad that is consistent enough to do well.
When you are rebuilding there are people who were always there before but you like to see people of your own choice - people whom you like, and with whom you are comfortable. And this requires a period of time. And my priorities are still the same: to build the team. This is what it's all about - building a squad that is consistent enough to do well.
How do you rate West Indies' chances in the forthcoming series against England?
It is a series between two teams that are fighting for supremacy and it is going to be a good series. I take great pride in being a West Indian and I back the players I selected to do well and be successful in the series.
It is a series between two teams that are fighting for supremacy and it is going to be a good series. I take great pride in being a West Indian and I back the players I selected to do well and be successful in the series.
Viv Richards was speaking to Nagraj Gollapudi.