Sir Vivian Richards expressed his disappointment over the West Indies’ absence from the Champions Trophy, urging the team to emulate the passion and determination shown by Afghanistan. Both the West Indies and Sri Lanka, former champions, did not qualify for the tournament held in Pakistan and Dubai. Richards highlighted the importance of collective effort, noting that improvements require engagement from both players and administrators. He emphasized that the West Indies, with their rich cricket legacy, need to identify and address underlying issues to regain their status among top teams. The ongoing scheduling inconsistencies were also criticized, calling for accountability from the ICC.
Feeling “annoyed” and “hurt” by the absence of the West Indies in the Champions Trophy, legendary Sir Vivian Richards urges the Caribbean team to look to Afghanistan as a model for re-establishing themselves as a formidable presence in world cricket. Both West Indies and Sri Lanka, former winners of the ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy, failed to qualify for the eight-team event currently taking place in Pakistan and Dubai. “I’m just hoping that my West Indies team can take a leaf out of these guys’ book, because there is a passion and energy that the Afghanis have brought to the game,” said Richards, a governing council member of the International Masters League, in a media interaction on Sunday.
“Afghanistan hasn’t been in the cricketing world for nearly as long as some other teams, but their fighting spirit is remarkable. The ability to learn and grow over the years has given them the experience necessary to reach their current level,” he shared during a virtual call.
“When you can see Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, and the West Indies absent, it indicates that Afghanistan is doing something correct,” he pointed out.
Once seen as scrappy underdogs, Afghanistan has emerged as a solid competitor in Asia, backed by consistent performances.
Richards emphasized the need for collective effort from all stakeholders, not just the players, to spur improvement. In addition to missing out on the ongoing Champions Trophy, the West Indies also did not participate in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
“To regain our former status, it will require input from not just players, but also individuals from the board and those in leadership roles,” he stated.
“It’s essential for them to understand that it takes more than just the players to figure out what is lacking and why we are struggling,” he added. “I feel extremely annoyed that the West Indies team, with such a significant legacy, is not in the Champions Trophy, and it hurts. It saddens me greatly because we possess the capability to be much better,” he expressed.
Richards noted that the West Indies require administrative leaders who understand what it takes to keep the Caribbean team among the elite in world cricket; otherwise, they will continue to face challenges.
“The advice I could offer moving forward is for everyone to recognize that the West Indies must be at the very top tier of world cricket. Until we acknowledge that, we will be trapped in a cycle of struggle,” he advised.
ICC must address the question on CT scheduling
Uncertainty regarding whether they would play their Champions Trophy semifinal in Dubai or Lahore left both Australia and South Africa in anticipation as their opponent would be determined after the India-New Zealand match on Sunday.
Australia journeyed to the UAE on Saturday, while South Africa was scheduled to depart from Pakistan on Sunday.
With India contesting all their matches in Dubai, the final will also take place at the Dubai International Stadium, assuming Rohit Sharma’s team reaches the final.
Former England cricketers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton have noted that India enjoys the advantage of avoiding travel to other venues.
“People might have a point when they make that observation. I believe it’s due to politics — I’d prefer not to delve into the political aspect,” Richards stated.
“However, I think the responsibility lies with those who govern and oversee the game, namely the ICC, who I believe are encountering the issue.”
“I would appreciate it if they could provide an explanation for the current situation. If they are indeed the governing body of cricket, why is this happening? I genuinely believe that one of the things that can unite us, fans and even rivals, is sports,” he concluded.
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