From Dominance to Struggles: Unraveling West Indies Cricket’s Journey

Harare: West Indies cricket has experienced a gradual decline over the years, leaving former players like Ian Bishop disheartened. The recent defeat against Scotland, which led to their failure to qualify for the ODI World Cup after 48 years, highlights the team’s struggles. However, Bishop believes that it would be unfair to solely blame the current crop of players as the deterioration began long ago.

Bishop, a renowned fast bowler from the late ’80s to mid-’90s, draws a parallel between West Indies cricket and big businesses that failed to evolve and regain their lost glory. He emphasizes that the decline predates the current players and attributes it to a lack of vision within the cricketing system.

The two-time T20 champions have also witnessed a decline, further adding to West Indies’ challenges. Bishop points out that the team’s previous dominance, which popularized ODI cricket, cannot be replicated. He acknowledges the strength of other cricketing nations and highlights the economic challenges faced in the Caribbean, urging authorities worldwide to address these issues.

While Bishop believes that West Indies can improve their performance with better synergy, he emphasizes that their dominance will never match that of the ’80s and early ’90s. The motivations of today’s players differ due to globalization and changing socio-economic factors. Bishop suggests understanding the players’ desires, which may revolve around financial and economic aspects, and providing suitable platforms to meet their needs.

Bishop acknowledges that the skill levels required for longer formats have also declined. He mentions the importance of supporting the current coach, Darren Sammy, and captain, Shai Hope, instead of resorting to knee-jerk reactions. Taking Zimbabwe’s performance in the tournament as an example, he highlights the need for West Indies to concentrate on their available talent pool and make the most of it.