Former West Indies fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts says coaching is being made a scapegoat for the West Indies Men’s team’s failures.
“That’s exactly what they’re doing,” Roberts told the Jamaica Observer in response to whether coaches are being used as a scapegoat for bad results.
“They have someone to blame, they’re blaming the coaches. How come we didn’t make five changes for the one-day international (ODI) team? We lost 2-0 in Australia; how come we didn’t make five changes to the Test team?
“My emphasis doesn’t depend on coaching. It depends on the players shouldering the responsibility to develop their game to the point that all the coach has to do is to make sure they go through their drills.”
For Roberts, the real issue is player development. He says too many players in the selection pool lack an understanding of the fundamentals of cricket.
He said, “We have to get this right and try to develop our players from Under-15s up to the senior level, They are the ones who have to get it right. That is where you need your best coaches, not at the Test match level. At that level, you need somebody who can plan the game, who has an eye for the game and I don’t think that we have too many students of the game playing today.”
The captain’s main role is to motivate players and lead by example through experience. Roberts says that given the state of affairs in West Indies cricket, questioning the captain at the moment is pointless.
“I’m not going to blame the captain, you know,” he said. “You could make as correct a decision as you possibly can as the captain, but if you don’t have the players to carry out the instruction, how are you going to succeed? So, the emphasis should start on developing the players. Not coaches.”
Roberts says the problems started with the appointment of the first foreign coach, Australian Bennett King, in 2005.
“I think we’re wasting a whole lot of dollars on employing coaches and our cricket still hasn’t moved an inch upwards. If it moved anywhere, it’s downwards.”
“All of us were coaches,” Roberts said. “I can remember many times Deryck Murray, the wicketkeeper, would come to me and tell me, ‘listen, you’re falling away too much’.
“That’s what you needed from somebody who knows you, can analyze your game, and come and tell you. You don’t want them telling you two days later. You want them telling you in the heat of the moment so that you have time in which to try to correct it.”
West Indies are scheduled to play two Tests in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe starting February 4. They’ll then travel to South Africa, a tour that’ll include two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.
Didn’t Windies lose under Roberts as coach?
That’s exactly what the man is saying; it’s not up to the coach. It’s the quality of the players. Here you are blaming Andy as coach again.
My sentiments are with Roberts on this occasion. Foreign coaches are not ideal to whip up patriotism in players, the history of West Indies cricket legacy should be a driving force in our psyche, and who better to instill that than a born and bred West Indian.
I totally agree with Andy, and to get good results it is very important you’ve got to have proper financial investment.
Does the CWI have the finances for this investment or do the West Indian islands have their own development programme in place ie in schools and villages etc.
There must be a cricket consciousness buzzing around in every locality in the islands.
On several occasions on other platforms I have made the comment that West Indies cricketers need to become students of the game in all its aspects. More often than not, while on the field they seem incapable of assessing the game and making the necessary adjustments as the game progresses. In other words ” they can’t read the play”.
Roberts is absolutely correct. We continue to produce great talent at under 15 and under 19 level, then fall away why? With an average of less than 40 our batters will continue to struggle against the world’s best bowlers. Either CWI is inadequate or the players themselves just don’t care….
Sir Andy is correct. Players without skills and self- discipline will lose.
Coaches do not bat, bowl or field.
Was Bennet King superior to other WI or international coaches.
What was his coaching pedigree?
T20 and ODI 6 hitting plans are now passe’.
Fewer and fewer WI players will get employment internationally.
Watch the slide continue!
THE PLAYERS COME TO THE INTERNATION LEVEL WITH TOO MUCH FLAWS. THE STANDSRD OF OUR REGIONAL CRICKET IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE .
Sir Andy Roberts is cricket genius.
Sir Andy Hitman Roberts was the head teacher to following Holding Garner,croft,Daniel, Clark,walsh and the others fall behind.
Sir Andy Hitman Roberts was the head teacher to the following holding,Garner,Croft,Marshall,Daniel,Clark,Walsh,and the other fall behind.