There is desire to play for West Indies, but there are not as many of that calibre as there may have been in past: Ian Bishop

Ian Bishop. (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Former cricketer Ian Bishop is disappointed with West Indies’ performance in the ongoing ODI World Cup Qualifiers. Notably, the Shai Hope-led side failed massively and are already out of the race and speaking about the same, Bishop lashed out at cricketers and stated that some of them are not good enough to represent the national team. He added saying that the skill set has dropped tremendously and stated this to be one of the reasons behind the downfall of West Indies cricket.

The 55-year-old however wants the team management to trust Daren Sammy and Shai Hope with the responsibility. He believes that the team have seen a lot of changes in recent times and thus wants everyone to show faith in them.

“I wouldn’t say that the pull that was evident for the players of the ’60s and ’70s should be the same in the 2000s. So we have to identify what the myriad desires are and they will be different for each player. There is still, as I speak to players, a desire to play for West Indies, but there are not as many of that calibre as there may have been in times past,” Bishop told ESPNcricinfo.

“We have changed captains and coaches. We now have to give support and time to the incumbents and make sure we give them the support staff. Zimbabwe, in this tournament for example, have done it with minimal playing resources, so why can’t West Indies if they concentrate on their pool?” he added.

We have serious economic challenges in the Caribbean: Bishop

Ian Bishop meanwhile acknowledged that West Indies have serious economic challenges at the moment but he gave the example of Zimbabwe, which faced the same a few years ago but have completely transformed itself in the last couple of years.

“We will never dominate like we did in the ’80s and the first half of the ’90s. I think other teams around the world are too good. We have serious economic challenges in the Caribbean, which the authorities around the world have to look at. But I still think when I look at, for example, where Zimbabwe were, and the troubles they have gone through, and how well they have played in this tournament, I think we have enough there to do even better next time around, if there is synergy,” Bishop concluded.