Greenidge: WI players keen on T20s only

However, they showed fight in the 2-1 Test series loss against the latter, winning the final match by five wickets. Greenidge lambasted the drive of the current crop and questioned their desire to set high scores, win or rebound from defeat.

He also pondered if players were committed to Test cricket. On comparing the present team to the ones he played with, he said, “I don’t see the intensity in players today -- the drive to represent the West Indies.

I could be wrong, but I don’t see it. To play in a Test match, in that arena, for the West Indies. That is the best, the thing you hope for as a cricketer. To see players with broad smiles after they’ve just lost a game.

That’s not on. A big no-no.” He continued, “it’s like people are thinking, we’ve lost, never mind, on to the next one. A team can’t not manage to make 200 in either innings and then go about the place smiling. It’s like it’s no big thing to lose a match. Every game should be played like it’s a final. You win, then you move on.” He pointed to the poor state of regional cricket as a major issue affecting players’ development and capability to ascend to the international level.

“Regional cricket has to be stronger.

At the moment it’s exceptionally weak, so it’s not going to produce the players you’re looking for for international cricket. How? I’m not certain, but something needs to happen. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll continue to be the way we are. It’s sad to see, but that’s the reality of it,” he said to ESPN.

The Bajan participated in 128 One Days and spanked 5,134 runs at an average of 45.03 with 11 centuries and 31 fifties. He attributed this to the high standard of First Class cricket as well as county cricket which he took part in, having played for Hampshire in England as well, en route to forming one of the most devastating opening pairs ever with fellow Barbadian, Desmond Haynes.

When asked what the players were missing, the 65 year-old contended that leadership and experienced players to learn from just weren’t there anymore for youngsters.

“They (current crop) don’t have enough cricket behind them -- First Class cricket, quality cricket.

They come in without anyone in the team to tutor them, because everyone is of about the similar level of experience. It’s like they’re thrown into the deep end and either they swim or they sink. Makes it difficult for guys to speak to each other. I’m not sure that any one of them could give the other advice, because they’re all in the same boat,” he concluded.