Lara resigned due to lack of support, says Lloyd

LONDON, FEB. 28. Brian Lara resigned as captain of the West Indies because he was frustrated by lack of support and the way the Caribbean cricket is being run, Clive Lloyd said on Sunday.

Lara announced his surprise decision to step down on Friday, six weeks after the West Indies returned from a disastrous tour of New Zealand where the former world-beater lost the Test series 2- 0 as well as all five one-day Internationals.

According to former captain and manager Lloyd, Lara felt he had not been getting the support he needed and the pressure of the job was affecting his batting.

``He obviously felt frustrated with the system that we have,'' Lloyd told BBC Radio Five live. ``As captain, he probably felt that he wasn't getting enough support, particularly regarding team selection.

``It was just frustration and it was hampering his game. He couldn't play his natural game because he doesn't have a lot of support down there.

``I think a few players are coming through and I think he might have been able to hold out for a little longer. I think his resignation is a great disappointment.''

Lloyd said he did not know whether Lara's resignation had anything to do with former Test allrounder Roger Harper being appointed the West Indies coach ahead of Viv Richards, whom Lara had backed for the post.

Lloyd added ``I don't know Brian's situation, but I don't think he can choose the coach as such. It's up to the board to do so and I think Brian would want to play under anyone who is chosen.''

Lloyd, who led the West Indies to unparalleled success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, said Jimmy Adams was the clear favourite to take over the captaincy.

``He's the vice-captain so I think he probably would be the natural successor,'' said Lloyd. ``There aren't too many to choose from so I think he is the natural choice.''

Lloyd called for the West Indies Board to act swiftly to arrest the decline of cricket in the Caribbean which he blamed on the complacency of the authorities coupled with the growing interest in soccer among youngsters.

``I think we got rather complacent,'' he said. ``We thought we would always be able to churn out the Laras and the Richards, but we haven't looked at the changing times in the West Indies. We also have a lot of young people wanting to play football.

``Cricket is not the only sport youngsters are heading for. They are gravitating towards other sports. We should have taken note of that and set up an academy to harness all the talent that was coming through.

``Now we are clutching at straws because we have a lot of cricketers without experience. We have missed out and we must rectify it if we are to get back to where we were.'' Lloyd, who lives in England, said he would consider any offers to return to the West Indies to help regenerate the ailing sport.

``I live here but if they got in touch with me I would look at it. Cricket is at a crossroads and they need to have a better system.''

- Reuters

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