This nation which used to chill spine of even best opponents almost looks in shambles and is largely innocuous thanks to its lusterless performance in every arena of game. The very nation which produced legions of luminaries itself stands withered and moron one .Where has fled its gleam that girdled this team in bond of inviolable unity and made it almost invulnerable one? Once it enjoyed that enviable status where it was almost unbeatable.For almost two decades it brought subjugation of every team by its superlative display of game. Who can be oblivious of raw pace of trio of Indies pace battery that culminated in devastating spell of Andy Roberts,Holding and garner. Their blistering pace and awful bounce was sheer terror for batsman. Batsmen needed herculean efforts to rescue themselves from not being cheaply scalped.These bolwers had finesse to penetrate even most technically armored batsman.Even in spin department Gary sobers was a treat to watch with his highly deceptive variation.players used to set supreme examples for their peers and were self propelled to throw their best behind every efforts. To them cricket was more than a creed and a liberating force that countered hegemony of white stock group of players.Batting contingent too was almost unassailable as this team had the opening explosive pair in form of Hence and Grinige. Together on umpteen occasions they piled of mountains of runs and ensured that their rivals are routed.There was hardly any crevices in their armor as technically they were very sound.This opening duo was followed by solid middle order.Richards,Clyve and Richardson were the very pivots on which middle order was largely hinged.Fielding too exuded its class as there was rarely any fumbling at all. Players morale used to be on its optimum level.
This golden phase gradually started losing its sheen once old tycoons hanged their shoes. Team could not be properly replenished with influx of young and able stuff.To make the matter worse Board itself had to pass through scores of quagmire of scams which scarred its image and dented its clout on team. Fissiparous tendency of different clubs and Islands inflicted irreparable harm to the board which could not work cohesively as giant unifying force. Team earned the ignominy of being a damp squib which was not even considered fit for sounding a note of bang as it always fizzled on a note of whimper. This transition from adversity to prosperity was not at all sudden but was the result of many years of sheer neglect on part of administrative officials at Board.Early decades of 20th century saw the emergence of Lara who undoubtedly had a class but alas! he too could not bring the team in serious reckoning.Even his scintillating brilliances could remain a mere patch on large canvass of Indies team as team went on creating successive records of dismal performances. At present this team is teaming with many rookie fast bowlers but they need much international exposure and technical expertise. Batting too swivels around brave bravo and Chandrapaul but it needs to be bolsterd by sound and durable openers.
It can be surmised that that days are not in offing where there can be resurgence of present team into formidable mighty windies.It is hoped that in distant future it may arise like a phoenix from its own ashes but for that to happen it will have to descend further abysmally low. Is not waxing and waning a cyclic pattern of history?
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