How have the mighty fallen! That thought is uppermost in the minds of cricket followers world-wide who had been charmed by the magical exploits of the willow-wielders and the purveyors of pure pace from the Caribbean.

Tony Cozier, one of the finest commentators on both radio and TV, is presently in Sri Lanka working for Ten Sports. An authority on Cricket in the West Indies, he gives his views freely on the current state of cricket back home and if a resurrection is on the way.

Tony Cozier

Cozier points out that in the 1960s under Worrell and Sobers, the West Indians were unofficial world champions. Then Conrad Hunte, Wesley Hall, Charlie Griffith and Seymore Nurse made their exit around the same time. Between 1969 and 1973, the team played 33 Tests and did not win a single. The drought was broken in 1993, when they won the three Test series in England.

Stars such as Richards, Roberts and Greenidge were drafted in for the tour of India in 1974 under Clive Lloyd’s leadership. The inaugural World Cup was won in June 1975, but the West Indians were thrashed 1-5 by the Australians Down Under.

The renaissance came shortly after. From 1976 till the late 1990s, the world scene was dominated by the Caribbean talent. They had settled openers in Greenidge, Fredrick and Haynes – plenty of middle order batting with the likes of Richards, Gomes, Lloyd, Kallicharan, Rowe, Derek Murray and Du Jong. In addition, the depth in fast bowling ensured that all teams were blitzed by pace like fire. Richards, Greenidge, Dujon and Marshall said their goodbyes in 1991 and a few years later the decline started.

The West Indians, according to Tony, were not prepared for this eventuality. The first class structure is limited with only six teams in contention. The shortage of cash dictates that the teams play only one round where earlier Caribbean cricketers could name their price to play for English counties, they don’t have much rapport with West Indian players.

Back in 2000, a West Indies A team toured England. Their behaviour was diabolical. This indiscipline has seeped through to the national level. Players are more interested in their contracts. The Board and the players are pulling in different directions. There is a lot of mutual distrust. Businessmen have got on the Board to boost their finances.

The Board has representatives from all the States and there is a great deal of insularity. In fact, the Trinidad Board demanded to know why Ramdhin and Lendl Simmons were dropped from this tour. Sarwan’s case was taken up by Guyana.

As for light at the end of the tunnel, Tony says an emphatic “No, not at all.” The Caribbean is short of leadership in politics, business and sports. He goes on to say that although Brendon Nash has good work ethic and as captaincy material, his unlikely to be given the reins because of his Australian background and the fact that he is white.

Right now there is a lot of ‘A’ team cricket being played against Pakistan and Bangladesh. A high performance centre was opened in June and central contracts have been awarded.

Talent has never been short in supply – Roach, a rare find, is leading the attack after just one year of Test cricket. Darren Bravo and Adrian Barath are the two others who are oozing with talent. There is a 17-year-old lad Kraig Brathwaite who has already made 17 centuries. He made the second top score in the last Youth Cup. Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel and left arm spinner Vermaul should be household names ere long.

Tony Crozier has been part of the Test Match special commentary team since 1966. In addition to commentary, Tony writes for a number of newspapers. Interestingly, his father Jimmy, was also an editor of a newspaper.