Shoddy facilities key to WI decline, says former vice captain

Melbourne, Dec 18: Former West Indies vice-captain Brendan sh believes the poor standard of cricket facilities in the Caribbean has played a role in the decline of the game in the region. The Australian-born left-hander, who played 21 Tests between 2008 and 2011 after qualifying to represent the West Indies through his father, who is Jamaican, said the quality of the facilities at all levels had fallen off, and this had directly impacted on development, reports CMC.

“A lot of money was spent on the 2007 World Cup to increase the standard of facilities,” sh said on Thursday.

“I know when I was there towards the end of 2010, the facilities really dropped off. So within four years, they just didn’t have the money to keep it going or it wasn’t run correctly.”

“It starts with the facilities, because training facilities are poor. Even club matches, facilities are terrible. I can’t see it getting better any time soon, unfortutely,” he added.

Much of the decline in the West Indies cricket has also been attributed to the breakdown in the relationship between the West Indies Cricket Board and the players, and sh said this appeared to be the case. “I’ve been out of it for two or three years, but from an outsider looking in, there is just no trust between either party,” he said. The 38-year-old ended his association with English County Kent last August, following a productive four-year stint with the club. IANS