Structure key to return of West Indies winning culture: Adams
Bridgetown (Barbados), Jan 21 (IANS) Newly-appointed Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams has said one key item on his agenda is establishing a new winning culture in West Indies cricket.
The former West Indies Test captain, who took up the post this month, said while the success of the international teams was important, a proper developmental structure would ensure the sustainability of that success, reports CMC.
“I think ultimately, we all want success, we want first team success,” Adams told Line and Length Network on Friday.
“I would back that up and say we want a structure that guarantees a certain standard of cricket even if you’re not winning every day, but you know that with what we have from grassroots through youth cricket through the first class structure, you know that the standard will be within a certain range.
“I think in terms of sustainability that becomes critical. We want to see the first team – men’s and women – winning. I think that goes without saying but I would also like to underpin that with a structure that would guarantee a certain standard of cricket going forward,” he added.
While the West Indies have excelled in the game’s shortest version, they have slumped badly in the Test and One-Day formats with performances which have left them in the nether regions of the international rankings.
The current state is a far cry from the halcyon era of the late 1970s and 1980s when the regional unit dominated world cricket in both formats.
Adams, who led the West Indies in 15 Tests and 26 ODIs, said he believed his vision was one shared by the West Indies Cricket Board and fans across the region.
“I think I share a common vision with, not just the people I am employed to, but the people of the Caribbean,” the 49-year-old Jamaican noted.
“(They) would like to see West Indies cricket strong again. I know we’ve been through some lean years and to share the vision – which is good competitive cricket coming out of West Indies – is something we all want to see and hopefully I can play some role in helping the region achieve that.”
Adams will bring to the post the experience of a successful playing career, which saw him average 41 from 54 Tests, and also feature in 127 ODIs.
