West Indies should learn from Kiwis, says Richards

West Indies' chairman of selectors Vivian Richards has urged the Caribbean's latest crop of cricketing talent to inject a dose of Kiwi discipline into their performance to improve their Test record.

Speaking after the touring New Zealand team had earned a draw to win the two-match Test series 1-0, the former West Indies captain and coach described the encounter as a valuable learning experience.

"The New Zealanders knew exactly what they were capable of doing and stuck within that," said Richards.

"They were disciplined and organised about what needed to be done in both batting and fielding terms. Our guys should have a good look at how they went about things, and learn from that," he said.

The West Indian fans and media laid charges of indiscipline after the home team's disastrous first innings in Barbados, when they were dismissed for a meagre 107 in 42.1 overs.

They never recovered the initiative, and the two-match series was eventually put out of their reach by a rainy final afternoon in Grenada and a typically stubborn 99-run stand by New Zealanders Scott Styris and Robbie Hart.

Despite showing plenty of individual talent, the West Indies had fallen behind on the team game, said Richards.

"We need to learn more about putting in a collective performance rather than playing in bursts. We must observe the way New Zealand played right through the team," he said.

STABILITY

The back-to-back series with India and New Zealand had served up some positive elements for the West Indies, however.

Richards singled out the batting of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the 2-1 Test series win over India, plus the towering 204-run innings scored by 22-year old opener Chris Gayle in the second Test against New Zealand.

"Sarwan has added a bit of stability at number three," Richards said. "He came back here well in Grenada and we must give individuals with that sort of talent their chance." A lack of killer instinct had taken the sting out of the West Indies attack against a stubborn New Zealand middle order and tail-end.

"We need a bit more confidence when we are on the field. There was a sense sometimes that New Zealand were on the ropes and there was a lack of team spirit and discipline to press home sometimes," he said.

Richards said the West Indies should draw inspiration from Brazil's victory in the soccer world-cup.

"Its how you finish that counts. We have the ability, but we need to get all the guys playing like Carl (Hooper) did against the Indians," Richards said.

Mail Cricket Editor