Brian Lara is of the opinion that it is the failure of the West Indies cricket set-up to put in place good infrastructure that has stunted the growth of the game in the Caribbean.
Speaking at a talk show at a city hotel on Sunday night, Lara said: “We have not put in the necessary infrastructure. We relied on the fact that the greats like Viv Richards and Joel Garner came from nowhere. While the rest of the world went into technology and established academies, West Indies cricket did nothing. We still have not done anything to prepare for future.”
Lara said it would take a long time to bring the game in the West Indies up to international standards.
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“I am (thinking), five or 10 years to make that happen... beating some teams, winning the occasional series, winning the T20 World Cup… we are not going to put all of it together to have a consistent side.
“Unless we make some firm decisions and sort it out at the grassroots level, we will remain in the quagmire,” he said.
Lara slammed the composition of the West Indian team that is in India for the Test and ODI series. He expressed surprise at the omission of players like Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine.
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“It is always going to be difficult in India. We did not turn up at the Eden Gardens with the required intensity,” he said.
“The selectors have got it wrong. I do not know if they have labelled Narine a T20 or ODI bowler. He is the best in the world in that version of the game. That does not mean he will not (succeed in) the Test format. Knowing that you have a Test at the Eden Gardens, where he plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, and a Test in Mumbai... I see no reason why (they would) leave a successful cricketer like Narine back home,” Lara said.
“Bravo (omission) baffles me as well. He deserves to be in any West Indies team. Rampaul is a much improved bowler now. I am baffled, just like you.”