Structure key to return of winning culture, says Adams
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Newly appointed Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, says one of the major items on his agenda is creating a structure that can lead to the establishing of a new winning culture in West Indies cricket.
The former Windies 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.
“I think ultimately, we all want success, we want first team success,” Adams told Line and Length Network.
“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.”
While 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 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-yearold 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.
He also spent four seasons as head coach at English County Kent, and said the tenure there also equipped him for his current role.
“Kent being one of the smaller counties, there were some challenges that came with the size of the county and I think there are some certain similarities with cricket in the Caribbean,” said the 49year-old. “We have challenges with resources here which tend to affect almost every decision that we make, and it’s trying to find the best way to hurdle those challenges but at the same time to have the mindset that whatever you have, you almost have to make it enough.
“It has to be enough to create a quality cricketer and a quality cricket team.”