Kolkata: Clive Lloyd is an old school. He prefers Test cricket over T20, is quite disappointed at West Indies’ recent struggles and wants every cricket board to get equal money from the ICC.
The legendary cricketer, who had hand-held West Indies cricket through its golden period, now laments its fall from those dizzying heights. “Disappointing that they couldn’t qualify for the ODI World Cup, but they now realise that it is a very important competition.They have to put in a little more effort,” he said on the sidelines of a programme in the city on Thursday evening.
More disappointing for him is the fact that the ‘big three’ of the game — India, England and Australia — are getting the major share of ICC’s funds. “I would like to see board members sitting down and asking why some of them are getting more money. I think everyone should get equal amount. In Premier League, Manchester and Liverpool get the same, don’t they! Don’t forget, West Indies have 14 islands and it requires a lot of travelling. We need money,” he said.
Of course, a lot of money is coming through the franchise T20 leagues that have mushroomed across the world. “Quite exciting, but I don’t want to see Test cricket losing out,” the 79-year-old Lloyd said. There is a lot of emphasis on T20s, even by the national boards, he lamented. “I have said time and again that T20 is an exhibition and Test match is examination. Youngsters seem to be getting this habit of hitting the ball over the ground so that they can get a contract somewhere and I don’t like that.”
Neither does he like the fact that West Indies will be playing just two Test matches in Australia. “If you are playing a Test series, there should be three or five matches. I don’t think the West Indies should travel to Australia for two Test matches. It doesn’t make sense.”
Talking about the longest format matches, he didn’t find much wrong with Newlands pitch , where the second Test between India and South Africa ended in a day-and-a-half. “Somebody made a 100 there,” he reminded. “It’s just about application.”