News

The players need time to become men ­ Ricky Skerritt

Ricky Skerritt - File

THE WEST INDIES cricket team was humiliated by England during the first Test on Sunday at Sabina Park, when they were bowled out for 47, their lowest Test score ever.

The team has been ridiculed and scoffed at by many persons who have called for the sacking of some of the players. This has forced the team into the spotlight and Ricky Skerritt, manager of the team has made it as this week's Newsmaker of the Week. To him we posed the following questions:-

Question

What do you think needs to be done for the team to perform up to standard?

Answer

"The team performed up to standard for three days and on the last morning they collapsed and were rolled over by England. They need to totally regain their confidence and focus and ensure that they performed like they did in the first three days of the first Test match and they need to do this and sustain it for all 15 sessions of the next Test match. What they did was allow the last session to dictate the entire result of the match. One of the key concerns would be how to stop the early order collapse and ensure they get the recovery they need everytime and build good partnership from these recoveries like they did in the first innings of the first test match."

Question

Do you think the team is remorseful for what happened in the fist Test?

Answer

"The team is very concerned and upset about what happened. They do not enjoy losing and were very depressed and sad about the loss. I could feel the emotion and I have no doubt that they are all torn up about what took place, even though some of them made some senseless decisions that could be perceived as if they did not care. I will submit a report on the matter to the West Indies Cricket Board first thing tomorrow and they will deal with that aspect.

Question

What's the attitude in the West Indies team camp like right now?

Answer

"The team say they will do whatever is necessary to win and play the best cricket they know. For the rest of the Test matches they say they need to get back to business and make a really fast recovery as they have lost ground."

Question

There are many who feel you should resign or be fired because of not only the way the West Indies played on Sunday, but how they had played over their last few matches. What is your response to that?

Answer

"The people who feel I should resign or should be fired I want them to know that I am deeply embarrassed and hurt by the performance because I know the players are capable of much better and I am somewhat frustrated. I don't have any involvement or control over the performance of the team, neither am I a coach or a cricket expert, but I know the captain and coach will try their best to fix it. The players are very young and need time to become men though some are taking longer than usual. What I have more than most people is patience and I believe the team will come through. I have a genuine love for West Indies cricket and a genuine belief that the team is getting better and better. I understand why that would happen (resignation call) and I'm not saying the fans should not be upset and angry because I am too, but what keeps me going is the positives unfolding and I know when the team achieves stability there will be a steady growth. The selectors are working hard to get the right balance and formulae. I certainly sympathize and empathize with the fans."

Question

What is your wish for West Indies cricket.

Answer

"My ultimate wish is that the young players can blossom to their fullest potential and that the team can achieve consistent success against the best teams in the world. I know that that time is not that far ahead if all the forces work together and stop fighting each other the way we do."