Benjamin: WI success linked to Antigua

The 38-year old Benjamin, who played 26 Tests for the West Indies between 1992 and 1998, is currently spearheading the Under-15 cricket development programme in that country.

"I have this notion that if Antigua cricket don’t dominate Leeward Islands cricket so that Leeward Islands can dominate West Indies cricket, then West Indies cricket will not dominate world cricket," Benjamin told the Antigua Sun newspaper.

"We don’t have problem with the West Indies selectors or the West Indies Cricket Board.

We have problems here in Antigua and this Under-15 programme is addressing the root of our problem."

"Once we can get our cricket back on track it will be a matter of time before Leeward Islands cricket is back on top, thus West Indies cricket will be back on top."

Benjamin, who finished his Test career with 92 wickets, said he was pleased with the way the programme had developed.

"One of the things that we are really happy about is the response we got from the villages and communities. We are targetting these areas because these are the grass roots," Benjamin explained.