“It’s painful to see the state of our cricket”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Dwayne Bravo believes that change is needed if the West Indies want to turn their fortunes around.

Bravo, whose comments come after the West Indies were thrashed by an innings and 212 runs by Australia in the first Test in Hobart, also took a swipe at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for failing to maintain a strong relationship with the players.

“Times change and I think that is one of our problems, we tend to hold on too much to the past and not focus on the future. That has been our downfall,” Bravo said. “It’s painful to see the state of our cricket. We’ve got the players to be up there with the best in the world but there’s a lot of things going on.

“Those in charge have to look into themselves. We don’t have proper grounds, proper nets or a proper academy. All these things are a part of our downfall.

“The relationship between players, board members and management staff – it needs to get stronger and tighter. They (the board) need to have a lot more honesty.”

Bravo also admitted that his decision to retire from Test cricket in January this year may have been a bit premature, but since he has heard nothing from the national selectors, he has decided to stick with his decision and now has no desire to start playing the longest format of the game again.

“Until earlier this year I was still interested to play Test cricket but I have yet to hear anything from any selector, what their plans are for me, what my position is,” he said. “I just decided it’s time to move on with my life and try to channel my energy in different places.

“I would have loved the opportunity to play Test cricket again but since being dropped back in 2010 I never got the chance and I just decided to call it a day.

“I’m not shutting down my opportunities to represent the West Indies, I still 100 percent want to play for the West Indies in one-day internationals and T20s.”