'Heading To The IPL': Brian Lara Pins Blame On India's Franchise League

image-lrhh081jWest Indies are No.8th Ranked Test Nation [AP Photo]

One of the most dominant teams during the late 1970s and 1980s, West Indies, since the millennium, have become a pale shadow of their prime. 

Financial instability, and lack of support from local authorities, see players prefer T20 cricket over Tests, which is regarded as the pinnacle and testing grounds for any cricketer. Former captain and legend Brian Lara has blamed the rise of the T20 league for their ever-dropping status in Test cricket. 

As quoted by SEN Sportsday, Lara, who holds the record for the highest Test (400*) and First-Class (501*) scores urged Cricket West Indies (CWI) to make upcoming talent understand the importance of playing for the country over franchise.

"I think we’ve got to, first of all, try to hold on to the young ones, the teenagers. We need to get them to understand what West Indies cricket means and how we can protect it. That’s what Australia has done. Australia don’t just pay their cricketers more or England pays their cricketers more … they develop that sort of loyalty to the sport in their country and that’s what we have not done. 


"For an 18-or-19-year-old to say, ‘I’m heading to the IPL’, or, ‘I don’t care about West Indies cricket’. It’s not just his fault. I just think that we have not sold what West Indies cricket means to us as Caribbean people and why you should be playing for the West Indies. That’s the first thing we need to do."

The 54-year-old further suggested that CWI needs to go down to the school level and make young kids feel motivated to play, which back in the day came regardless.

Meanwhile, West Indies, who are currently ranked No.8 in ICC Test Rankings For Team and are touring Australia for a two-Test tour, where in the ongoing first Test at Adelaide find themselves in a deep ditch after Day 1.