#WestIndies, #Pakistan and #Australia have been the teams whom I used to follow during my childhood. In those days, West Indies and Pakistan were the best while Australia were the emerging super powers. In the 90s, the West Indian kingdom fell while Pakistan, despite consisting a better side than the 80s, couldn’t dominate as they should have due to filthy politics and in the mean time Australia emerged as one of the finest sides in the history of world cricket like the West Indies. At present three of the teams have lost that aura, that dash! The West Indian dominance took a serious setback after they lost the Frank Worrell trophy in 1995 on home soil but they did have all the firepower to bounce back once again as a better side if not like the late 70s and 80s. Definitely there had been many reluctant attitudes and mismanagements in the West Indian Board and amongst them, not appointing Carl Hooper as the next captain and making flat tracks in the West Indies; still makes me angry. Neither Lara nor Walsh were the perfect replacements. Carl Hooper was a leadership material and he did give that glimpse while he was the captain during 2001-2003. Then the pitch factor! The West Indians had totally forgotten that it was their fast bowlers which made them the best and their tracks, full of pace and bounce, ensured their utter dominance in world cricket. It was a part and parcel of West Indian cricket culture. If you start to change your style, alter your culture; you are inviting the prophets of doom and gloom. Despite, the overwhelming popularity of tiki-taka in soccer, have Brazil or Argentina started applying it? They are well aware of their rich culture and thus never try to alter it. People say that the rise of the popularity of basketball and baseball have affected West Indian cricket especially fats bowling culture. Is that so? If you come across turning tracks and sleeping beauties in Barbados, Sabina Park or Antigua which West Indian will take fast-bowling seriously? Then there were so many mishandling of players! In the course of time, West Indies have become a mediocre side and this cricket fan here is bemused as all his favourite three teams have lost their vim. Though, I am still hopeful with Australia as I think that they have capability to bounce back from this present rut. Tanoy Dutta Aminul Bulbul
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 13:44:04 +0000
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