‘ Leagues are where cricket is going’
Former captain Adams feels West Indies game needs continuity “The reality is that we have three versions of the game today and it will be interesting to see where the game is headed in 10 years’ time.”
Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams feels that world cricket is going to be become more league- oriented. In reply to a query from
on whether there is too much of Twenty20 leagues being held around the world, Adams said: “In 10 years’ time, the whole landscape of world cricket has changed and world cricket in future may become more league- oriented than international like we see in football. I cannot say that there are too many Twenty20 leagues but what one can do is to bring in some regulation so that fixtures do not clash.”
Adams, who is now coach of the Kent English County team, is also a member of the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club ( MCC) Committee.
“I consider Test cricket to be the most challenging. The reality is that we have three versions of the game today and it will be interesting to see where the game is headed in 10 years’ time,” he said.
In town to conduct G Force Cricket Academy’s new programme called “Let’s Play Cricket”, Adams was all praise for the West Indies team that won the T20 World Cup last year: “It has been a while since we won any international trophy and it has had a very positive impact for the cricket in the region. This is certainly something on which we probably can build up and maybe start challenging the in- form strong teams.”
When asked about Darren Sammy’s role as skipper, Adams said: “Sammy has done well and he is a leader in the making. He certainly has the good qualities at present and he has continued to improve. He is very focused and his develop- ment as a leader should be an ongoing process.”
Adams does not believe that West Indies are heavily dependent on Chris Gayle.
Good job
“Dependence on Gayle is based on which format we are playing. He is the best limited- overs cricket player in the world. He is in fact a white ball cricketer but his statistics in Test cricket do not reveal consistency.
“I don’t think West Indies depend on Gayle alone. Even when there was Brian Lara in the team there were contribu-
J i m my Ad a m s
| tions from others. Ramnaresh Sarwan is back in the squad against Australia. Shivnarine Chanderpaul keeps on going and young Bravo seems to be developing into a good batsman. Hopefully, with time we will see more of them coming through, but they have to show consistency.”
Adams is hoping that Ottis Gibson continues as West Indies coach. “I think Gibson has done a very good job in his first three years. The news coming out of the Caribbean is that he is set to sign a new contract,” he said.
“I am glad to hear that because continuity is what is needed now. The management of the team with Darren ( Sammy) as captain and Richie Richardson as manager for the last three years seems to have galvanised the team. Right now, the team needs continuity.”