West Indies cricket will miss Lloyd (11 July 1999)
When the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) sifts through the applications for the post of team manager in the next few months, it should reflect on the sad saga of Clive Lloyd
11-Jul-1999
11 July 1999
West Indies cricket will miss Lloyd
Tony Cozier
When the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) sifts through the
applications for the post of team manager in the next few
months, it should reflect on the sad saga of Clive Lloyd.
It must ensure that it does not repeat the same mistakes that
transformed the initial enthusiasm and commitment of the current
manager into frustration and despair.
Unlikely to seek, or be granted, a renewal of his contract, our
most successful Test captain will be a great loss to the
administration and development of West Indies cricket.
Interpretations
Lloyd's case is unusual in that he and the board appear to have
placed different interpretations on his job description.
But it raises the question of what the manager's role should be.
Is it better to leave it to an experienced administrator
entirely divorced from the cricket, as is done by most other
teams, or is a former player's cricketing experience necessary,
in spite of a limited administrative background?
The ideal is a combination of the two as we have been fortunate
to have had in the past with such as Gerry Alexander, Clyde
Walcott, David Holford and Wes Hall. But it is imperative that
the contracts are explicit.
West Indies cricket was in a state in 1996 when the WICB
influenced Lloyd to return to help straighten things out.
His reputation as captain of the great teams of the 1980s was
legendary and, resident in England and away from the mainstream
of West Indies cricket for some time, it was felt his would be a
wise and detached influence.
He arrived at the end of the World Cup during which Richie
Richardson had resigned as captain, Andy Roberts had been sacked
as coach, Wes Hall had ended his term as manager and Brian Lara
was on two disciplinary charges.
Soon, a New Dispensation, with Pat Rousseau as the new
president, had taken over the board and there were new
selectors.
Lloyd was first made coach for the home series against New
Zealand. But he was generally regarded as the supremo with the
responsibility of restoring the prestige of West Indies cricket.
Coaxed by the board into taking the job, giving up posts with
Lancashire, his old county, and a promising career as an ICC
match referee (he officiated in the 1996 World Cup (semifinal
and final), Lloyd had reason to believe that his assignment
would be far-reaching.
He spoke then of identifying talent and getting players up to
standards expected of Test cricket - "in terms of actual
cricket, in behaviour, in attitude, the lot".
Administrative
He wanted former players to be involved, urged the establishment
of an academy and went around the Caribbean talking to
presidents and prime ministers about what governments could do.
Lloyd's remit, and involvement, was changed when Malcolm
Marshall, on his backing, was made coach and he was appointed
manager on three-year contracts in October, 1996.
His duties now were principally administrative, such as paying
fees and checking hotel reservations, airline bookings and
social engagements even though he was responsible for team
discipline, was one of the selectors on tour and, always with an
eye on his players, seldom missed a net session.
But, as far as he was concerned, that was not all that he came
back for.
"According to my contract, I should be involved in the
development of West Indies cricket," he said.
"That means from the age-group level, the Under-15s and
Under-19s. I should be going around, talking to players, giving
them the impetus about what is expected when they get in the
West Indies team."
Above all, Lloyd remained adamant that he should be on the
selection panel proper, not simply on tour.
"I'm accountable for the team on tour and I think I should be
able to help choose those players I'm accountable for," he said,
pointing out that he saw every match played by the West Indies,
more than any of the appointed selectors.
It was a disillusion that became increasingly pronounced with
the team's successive failures overseas.
It is a pity that it had to come to that, for West Indies
cricket does not have many leaders with Lloyd's credentials.
But, at least, his successor should know exactly where he stands
from the start.
Source :: The Barbados Nation