Brian Lara: West Indies’ problems in Test cricket not solved by money

West Indies great Brian Lara does not think their current issues in Test cricket would be resolved by solely investing more money.

They are eighth in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings, having been a dominant force in the 1980s when they set a then-record 11 consecutive Test victories.

“If you put 100 million, 200 million dollars into the West Indies’ bank account, is it going to change the way we play the game? I’m not sure,” Lara told BBC World Service’s Stumped podcast.

“We are not harnessing the talent that we have.”

A host of Windies players, such as Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope, are opting to play just white-ball cricket internationally, which enables them to play in franchise leagues across the world.

Other sports, such as athletics, are also big across the different nations in the Caribbean, which affects the talent pool available.

“Obviously, cricket has been diluted by the number of different sports and different opportunities for kids, but I still believe that corporate West Indies have got to get involved,” said Lara.

“The West Indies Cricket Board hasn’t done the right job in attracting these sponsors to ensure that at least grassroots, but also the academy, all the different things, the facilities, are up to standard. I think these things are very, very important.”

Their current top five in the Test against England at Lord’s had played 96 Tests between them prior to the game starting, but captain Kraigg Brathwaite accounted for 89 of those appearances.

In comparison England’s top five had played in 259 Tests.

The T20 World Cup recently took place in the Caribbean with India beating England in the final to win their first global tournament in 13 years.

Crowds were often very low, apart from when the hosts were involved.

“We don’t have anybody coming through the gate,” said Lara.

“I walked in Lord’s about 7.30am on Wednesday and outside there were people waiting.

“That was something I was accustomed to as a kid, getting to the Queens Park [in Trinidad and Tobago] at 05.30 and waiting for the gate to be open.

“That’s not happening. You get there at 11 o’clock and there is an empty stadium. You could pick a seat wherever you want. We have to try to get the crowd back.

“That will breathe the life back into the people of the Caribbean and let them understand what Test cricket is all about and you can get the world of money.

“You still need to sort of get the crowd more passionate about it and we haven’t been able to do that.”