MELBOURNE: West Indies have been
“crying out for help” for a long time and the ICC needs to step in as soon as
possible to rescue Caribbean cricket because the sport’s international future
hinges on it, feels former Australian coach John Buchanan.

“The ICC
must intervene in West Indian cricket … it is a massive job, but a strong West
Indian team is essential for the future of world cricket,” Buchanan was quoted
as saying in ‘The Courier Mail’.

“They need to work how all the
problems there can best be attacked over the shortest period of time. This is so
important, even if the ICC diverts resources from other countries,” he added.

Buchanan said Caribbean cricket has been in a shambolic state for
ages and the ICC can’t afford to turn a blind eye to the situation anymore.

“The West Indies have been crying out for help over a long period of
time. It is a major concern that the performance and the consistency of the Test
side has been so inconsistent and abysmal,” he said.

Currently
trailing 0-1 in a series against Australia, West Indies have won just two of
their past 40 Tests since mid-2005. The players’ strike over pay hikes a few
weeks ago was just one of the off-field woes for the team. Buchanan said the
problems have been building up for a long time.

“All of the problems
in West Indian cricket haven’t just happened … they’ve been happening over the
past 20 years,” Buchanan said.