Logie: West Indies can return as a force

Former West Indies middle order batsman and coach, Gus Logie believes that the regional team can return as a force in world cricket but must first put certain measures in place to achieve this.

Logie, a member of the all conquering team of the 1980s to the mid 1990s made this point in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT last Tuesday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field as he watched the warm up encounter between Australia and Zimbabwe.{{more}}

“There are some simple things we must do like have indoor facilities where we can play all year round as well as day night matches”, Logie advised.

The Trinidadian, who is the current coach of Bermuda, said that he has been advocating such measures since he was at the helm of the regional Under-15 and Under-19 coaching staff.

Looking at the structure of the cricket set up in the region, Logie said that he always advanced that one day cricket was not ideal for young cricketers and instead recommended to the authorities the two day format.

He is also advancing that there is a need for the personal schooling of players so that they can understand what West Indies cricket means to the Caribbean people.

“They need to understand the legacy of West Indies cricket, know what those greats of the past did so the youngsters can have something to emulate”, Logie added.

But with a tinge of sadness, Logie who led the West Indies to the ICC champions trophy in England in 2004 said little is being done in this regard.

“The World Cup is on, and we are not seeing five minute clips of Gary Sobers and so on the television”, Logie said.

“How do we want the youngsters to love cricket and all they see on television is American sports and soaps?” the former player that appeared in 52 test matches questioned.

He pointed to the fact that the warm up matches are here, yet the stands are empty.

“The authorities should have done more to get the school children in the stands, don’t expect them to come, you have to bring them to an outing in picnic style so they can feel the passion of cricket,” Logie, who had 158 One Day International appearances for the West Indies opined.

A forward looking Logie thought that although enough was not done in the past to maintain the West Indies dominance, rekindling the former hunger for success could be forth coming.

Logie pointed to the “tremendous” talent in the present crop of players, but talents that must be groomed and properly managed.

“We have to rebuild with the same love and intensity that we had in our time”, Logie projected.