WI getting their act together: Lloyd

Critics have stressed that Brian Lara is not leadership material. Despite the southpaw’s return to blazing form and worthwhile contribu...

Critics have stressed that Brian Lara is not leadership material. Despite the southpaw’s return to blazing form and worthwhile contributions in the on-going series against the Aussies, Lara’s captaincy has made more news than his batting skills.

But the Prince of Trinidad should take heart in the fact that one of the great leaders of all times, Clive Lloyd, is standing by him. Lara may well choose to ignore the others. Now an ICC match referee Lloyd, who was in city to announce the Electrolux Wisden International Awards, spoke to The Indian Express on West Indies cricket and the ills affecting cricket in general.

Excerpts:

How do you find the present West Indies team?
Brian Lara has returned to bright form and they have some brilliant youngsters in Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle. They also have a good fast bowler in Jermaine Lawson. They have the batting, the bowlers and the team spirit is only getting better. Probably, they now just need to get their act together. Fact remains people want to see West Indies back among the best.

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There have conflicting reports on former captain Carl Hooper. Some suggested he has quit but he says he’s available?
I have no idea about that. But I hope he gets back that will help West Indian cricket.

How would you rate Lara as a captain?
He has led well. But again a captain is as good as his players. Lara has been a very good servant of West Indies cricket and I hope he comes out a winner the second time round. Under him the team has a future.

How would you react to ICC chief Malcolm Gray’s statement that cricket is still suffering from match-fixing?
You can’t stop the allegations. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken several steps and let’s hope the menace is eradicated and that there’s not a furore again.

As a Match Referee how do you look at the problem of suspect bowling action?
I am of the view that all bowlers action should be videoed so that those with suspect action can be corrected at a very early age. I also feel that any bowler found to have a suspect action should not be totally exonerated. There should be a punishment of 18 months or so but at the same time he should be given equal chance to rectify and correct his action.

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How do you find life as a globetrotting ICC official?
I have a difficult family life. But life is good as this is the path that I chose. It’s been six months since I have been home. It’s pretty taxing, but more than that I rue the fact that I haven’t seen my grand-daughter for so long.

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