Windies legends urge players to balance financial success with passion for team

WHILE recognizing that players must earn a living from their craft, legendary West Indies cricketers believe that performances at the international level should also reflect passion and commitment toward the success of West Indies cricket.
Michael Holding, Sir Curtly Ambrose, and Sir Vivian Richards all emphasized that during their playing days, motivation came not just from individual achievements but from team success, even when financial rewards were far less than what players earn today.
However, they believe that the rise of franchise cricket and the T20 format has shifted many players’ focus from team-first to an individual mindset, which has negatively impacted West Indies cricket.
Holding, the Jamaican pace bowling great nicknamed “Whispering Death”, took 249 wickets in 60 Tests and another 142 in 102 ODIs. He said his primary goal was always to get the West Indies team over the finish line, rather than focusing on personal milestones.