LONDON -
AMONG the many disappointed West Indians at Headingley on Friday as the West Indies tumbled their first two-day defeat were some of their greatest players ever, and including in that number was Viv Richards, a former captain and one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
At Lord's when the West Indies were bundled out for 54 in their second innings, Richards was hopping mad, and his voice choked during the tea interval on Friday when they were 23 for four and on the way to a miserable 61 all out in 126 minutes and 26.2 overs.
"Something is wrong," said the man who drove fear into bowlers during his heyday. "I don't know what it is, but something has gone wrong with our batting. It is terrible."
According to Richards, apart from the obvious fact they lack the ability to compete, that they do not believe in themselves, the West Indies batsmen of today lack rhythm and co-ordination, that is the reason for their poor footwork, and that is why they cannot adjust.
"Once they decide to go forward, that is it: they cannot adjust, they cannot change and play back, and it is the same thing if they start to go back and realise that they should be forward, "Sir Viv said.
So what causes that and how can they improve?
"People talk about talent and all sort of things, but even if there is something called talent, it has nothing to with talent. It is work, hard work. You have to practice, day after day.
"Players have different techniques and they use different exercises. What I used to do is this."
Viv then placed his cup of coffee on the table, stood up, went into his stance with his hands together as if holding a bat, and went on: "I used to stand before a mirror in my stance and imagine than someone was bowling to me. I used to move forward and then back, back and then forward.
"I used to start to move forward and then go back, start to go back and then move forward. I used to skip forward, and I used to skip sideways. I trained myself to be prepared for what may happen while I am batting. I was always prepared."
Richard's routine was like that of a boxer shadow-boxing.
"If you want to improve your skills, if you want to be the best, you have to live batting - day and night. There is no other way."
Richards, who had a short stint with the team as coach, also had another bit of advice. As Rohan Kanhai and Andy Roberts have said before him, the players of today do not listen enough - not even to the coaches, and Richards believes they should be made to listen and to practice.
"Some of these guys believe they know it all - and obviously they do not," said the 'Master Blaster'. "The time has come to crack the whip."
By Tony Becca
Senior Sport Editor
