LONDON, England, (CMC) - Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop has blasted the Windies team after their heavy defeat to England at Lord’s, England’s Channel Four Television reported on its web site Monday evening.
Bishop wants the officials of the team to stop making excuses about the inexperience of the current side and start making the necessary adjustments to help them deal with the rigours of international cricket.
“I don't want to hear the excuse that this is an inexperienced side, which is still learning and should not be judged too harshly, we repeatedly say that they are an inexperienced lot, but there are enough experienced players in the line-up to provide the backbone to the team.
“Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul have played a lot of Test matches now. Pedro Collins has plenty of experience too,” added Bishop, who is working with Channel Four during the series.
“We need to stop using that as an excuse because if we keep on saying it they will start believing it and not pick up their performances. I think a year or so is all the time needed before you should really start understanding what Test cricket is all about.”
“The bowlers have all shown that they have talent but I want to see it coming to the fore now, some of the time they are not even getting the basics right.
“On the first day of this match, it took us an entire day to understand that we should be bowling length and line.
The 36-year-old Bishop also said that the leadership staff has to take responsibility for the direction the team is going in.
“First of all the captain, because he's taking the team onto the field, but also the coach and manager, Lara’s record as captain is not very good and this is a tour that will determine whether he is the right person to lead the West Indies in the future.”
“What they want is the whole team performing collectively and consistently, we are not going to beat England with just one player performing well.”
“The guys have played a lot together and need to be more focused and disciplined in their cricket.”
Bishop, who retired after the West Indies’ 1998 home series against England, also expressed his view on the West Indies Cricket Board’s role in the development of West Indies cricket.
“As well as Lara and Gus Logie, the board must have some responsibility in planning for the future development of West Indies cricket.
“We do need a full-time bowling coach and we do need someone advising these guys. We need more discipline in the camp,” Bishop said.
But Bishop has seen some positives so far this series and he outlined that Chris Gayle is adjusting well to the English conditions, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has returned to form and Pedro Collins has taken on the mantle of leader of the (bowling) attack. Dwayne Bravo's all-round performance was another plus for West Indies, he said.
He also noted that the experience of Barbadian fast bowler Corey Collymore would help the team.
“Corey Collymore has arrived in England and assuming he is fit, I would put him in straightaway because he will add experience and control to this line-up.