Sad day for one of cricket’s great teams.
From the ABC:
Cricket World Cup: Loss to Ireland marks latest evidence of decline of West Indies cricket
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Darren Sammy needed treatment on his back, Andre Russell pulled up after bowling an embarrassing long-hop while fresh-faced captain Jason Holder speared a ball so wide that first slip was placed in immediate peril.
In three crude snapshots, the decline of West Indies cricket was perfectly captured and another miserable low point – a four-wicket defeat by Ireland at the World Cup on Monday – racked up.
Forty years ago, the West Indies won the first World Cup and then defended it four years later before finishing runners-up in 1983.
Since then, their one-day pickings have been mighty slim, a Champions Trophy victory in 2004 and a Twenty20 world title in 2012.
While this is the latest blow to the West Indies’ legacy, many believe the Caribbean game’s heart stopped beating a long time ago.
Clive Lloyd skippered the West Indies to their 1975 and 1979 world titles and is now the head of selectors.
He believes the lucrative Twenty20, the sport’s shortest format, has diluted the talent pool, narrowed concentration and diminished skills.
“The players earn a good wage. They have the choice to play Test cricket or T20,” Lloyd said.
“We are small islands and if you get a whole host of money, you are a king. This T20 competition has messed our cricket up.
“We have contracts, probably not as exorbitant as others, but they are getting good money. It doesn’t seem playing for our country is paramount where these players are concerned.”
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