SAVE WEST INDIAN CRICKET

Steve Waugh calls for intervention to save WI cricket

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

Waugh's appeal comes following West Indies's 0-2 loss in the recently-concluded three-Test series against Australia. © Cricbuzz

Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain, in a bid to save West Indies cricket from its ongoing downward spiral, has appealed for an intervention from some corner. The appeal comes following West Indies's 0-2 loss in the recently-concluded three-Test series against Australia.

"We have to ensure the West Indies are a force to be reckoned with because you can't play Test cricket between three or four decent nations," said Waugh on Wednesday (January 20) to Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). "Someone must ensure they get back to the level they were [once] at."

Sri Lanka's Twenty20 International series loss against New Zealand meant West Indies climbed to the top of the ICC rankings in the format. However, they haven't made gains in Tests and One-Day Internationals and languish at the bottom of the table and Waugh hopes the ICC intervenes to pull them out of their slump.

"Someone has to step up and say: 'We can't let this happen to the West Indies'. It's a bit like watching the All Blacks wither and die on the vine."

Waugh identifies failure of attendance and payment issues as areas the ICC should aim at addressing on priority. "I think the ICC needs to put a fee on Tests and ensure everyone is paid equally," he said. "They have to do that if they want to save Test cricket".

© Cricbuzz