CHENNAI: On June 2, when New Zealand face Australia in the second game of Champions Trophy at Birmingham, the West Indies will also be getting ready for a game. The first of a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, half-a-world away in Basseterre, St Kitts. How did they lose so much that they aren’t even invited to a party they once owned?
When it was confirmed on September 30, 2015, that they would be missing out at the expense of Bangladesh, a lot of people expressed shock. But cricketer-turned-pundit, Aakash Chopra, says the writing was clear all along. “It is quite apparent how the fall happened over the years,” he says to Express. “Apart from money drying up, the talent is not there anymore.
They (people in West Indies) say that a lot of poaching has happened. Genetically strong, tall and powerful, the talent available for basketball has grown. Apart from those reasons, the sport in itself has declined. Talent alone cannot take you far.”
Two figures illuminate their current predicament. Between September 5, 1973 (their first ever ODI) and June 25, 1983 (the day of the third World Cup final), they won 44 out of 60 ODIs at a ratio of 2.75 wins per loss. The next best was England at 1.27. Original Kings of ODIs with a capital O and K. Their modern record? From June 6, 2013 (beginning of the last Champions Trophy) till Monday, they have won only 22 out of 64 matches. That W/L ratio is so poor it puts them even below the likes of Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Ireland (it must be noted that the level of opposition was different).
Former India stumper Kiran More, who played 23 ODIs against the Caribbeans, says it will be sad without them. “It’s an ultra competitive world and it’s sad that they are missing out,” he says. “But their cricket has come down. Of course without them, the glamour quotient will certainly be lesser.”
Both More and Chopra pinpoint the ongoing contract dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as one of the main reasons why they will be playing in St Basseterre and not in England. “Promises have not been delivered upon by the WICB,” Chopra says. “It’s quite simple that if you get employment elsewhere (playing in T20 leagues rather than for the national team), you go there. There is no question of a moral ground of whether it is ethically right or wrong because at the end, it’s a question of taking care of your household.”
While it’s a fair to say most of the first choice players – thanks to off-field matters – have skipped matches in the concerned ranking period, their players have delivered in the Champions Trophy. Apart from India, they are the only side to have reached the semifinals thrice. Combine that with them being champions of the last ICC tournament – World T20 in 2016 – one could make a case for their inclusion.
Chopra, though, bats down the idea. “No, they should not have,” he says. “Teams have to earn their right. West Indies did not.”
Big guns missing
Hockey: India failed to make it to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The team hadn’t been doing well, but this was a shocker because it was the first instance of the eight-time champions missing the event. Three-time champs Pakistan suffered the same ignominy in Rio 2016.
Football: Semifinalists in 1998 and possessing a host of stars, The Netherlands were notable absentees in World Cup 2002 in Japan and Korea. Dutch coach Guus Hiddink made his presence felt, though, guiding South Korea to the semifinals.
swaroop@newindianexpress.com