Former West Indies all-rounder Vasbert Drakes, who is shouldering the responsibility of reviving cricket in the Caribbean by guiding the U-19 team and women’s cricket, on Tuesday sought more cooperati
Former West Indies all-rounder Vasbert Drakes, who is shouldering the responsibility of reviving cricket in the Caribbean by guiding the U-19 team and women’s cricket, on Tuesday sought more cooperation from the BCCI.
Currently in India as coach of the women’s World T20 team, Drakes said: “India and the West Indies always had an excellent relationship. But, I guess we can develop our cricket back home if the Indian board decides not to squeeze our b***s.”
The BCCI had demanded multi-million compensation from the WICB following the abandonment of the Windies tour to India in 2014. However, last year, the BCCI lifted the suspension imposed on the bilateral commitments and decided to tour the Caribbean for a four-Test series in July 2016.
Drakes said the resumption of ties was a big relief.
The WICB relies on the bilateral series with India to generate revenue.
“We need more support from India. If we have finance we can grow the game,” said Drakes, who was instrumental in the West Indies registering a record chase of 418 runs against Australia in the final Test of the Frank Worrell Trophy in 2003.
Drakes said the sequence of events that followed the Windies’ pullout under skipper Dwayne Bravo affected the morale of fans back home. “I can’t give too much details because I wasn’t there, but what happened was unfortunate,” he added.
