GEORGETOWN–Newly appointed chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, wants to see an improvement in batting from the West Indies team, and believes this can only be achieved by players bringing a more studied approach to the game.
The outstanding former West Indies captain said while there was an abundance of talent in the region, he was concerned by the lack of application and thought which often typified West Indies cricket. "We need to be more consistent in our play. We have some good bowlers around the place but our batting is the thing that has not been up to par," the 69-year-old Guyanese said.
"But we have some good cricketers here and it is just a matter of getting people who want to bat for long periods. As I've said before, I want to see players bat ugly. There's not every day you're going to be able to drive it around, you're going to have to battle your way out of situations."
"We should not be bowled out in two sessions in any Test match; we should not be beaten in two-and-a-half days in any Test match. I think we're much better than that. It's the consistency and what we need to inject into our young players is that it's a long game especially in the Test matches."
Lloyd was announced last Saturday as the new head of selectors, replacing fellow Guyanese Clyde Butts. He will be joined by fast bowling legend and former Windies captain, Courtney Walsh, along with ex-West Indies players Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Browne. Credited with moulding the successful West Indies side of the late 1970s and 1980s, Lloyd brings a long resume to his new post, having also served as team manager, coach and West Indies Cricket Board director, since his retirement from the game. (CMC)