THE PASSING AWAY OF TEST CRICKET IN THE WEST INDIES

The suspension of the head coach, the naming of a squad with new young faces, the pleas of past cricketing greats, the recurrent suspicion of one of our bowlers, crashing to an two nil Test series defeat are some of the latest episodes in the drama called “West Indies cricket” within the last month.

Above all, is the latter, the Test series loss to Sri Lanka, which is of greatest cause for concern.

There is new Caribbean held view that there is slow passing away of Test cricket in the West Indies.

The just concluded two Test series in the tour of Sri Lanka, where the once great powerhouse in the gentleman’s game, was handsomely beaten by a team rated among the lower ranks.

But judging by the display of the Caribbean side, it seem we aren’t even able to compete with the lower ranks, amongst which we now find ourselves. The plight of Sir Garfield Sobers is one shared by many West Indian supporters and fans.

The former great all-rounder said that the current Windies squad doesn’t have players who play for their country like former players used to do.

He was quoted as saying in an emotional response during the recent Sri Lankan tour, “My whole obligation was to West Indies cricket. As I have always said, ‘I have never made a run for me.’ I have always played for the West Indies teams, and it was such a pleasure and joy to be able to do what I did.”

The eighth ranked West Indies lost the first test by an innings and 6 runs, before slumping to another embarrassing 72 runs defeat in the second match against the seventh ranked side.

The West Indies last test victories came in two 2012-13 series against the bottom two sides, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. They managed to eek out a drawn Test series result against England in 2014, playing at home.

Some persons were so disappointed that the entire team of current players could not score above 300 runs against Sri Lanka.

The west Indies team still have record holders on the books ICC books with the highest individual Test score 400 not out being held by Brian Lara.The fastest test century in Test cricket is jointly held by the great Vivian Richards.

These feats might never be matched again by any existing or upcoming West Indian players unless a renewed passion for Test cricket is revived.