This is something I have been thinking about for a while now in West Indies cricket.
In my opinion, we have changed our natural style of play over the years and our players are finding it very difficult to adapt.
Take a look at videos of our old, great players, Sir Gary, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Richie Richardson, Chris Gayle and Shiv Chanderpaul, they all played mostly off the back foot, allowing the ball to come to them. Sir Viv is the only one who went at the ball but he was a player that did things his way. (Genius)
I have watched Sir Gary hit half volleys off the back foot. Richie was another great player that did it well. West Indian players were taught to stand still and watch the ball. They reacted to what they saw coming at them.
Since we invited all these foreign coaches who have brought their styles, like trigger movements and pressing forward, our batsmen look confused. I don't blame the foreign coaches, they can only teach what they know.
I also feel that this is the reason why our players show promise at the early stages of their careers. They are coached locally and they are mostly taught the West Indian way. As soon as they get to a level where their technique is changed, they look like manufactured players, nothing natural about them anymore.
Compare the very natural look of Greenidge and Haynes to our openers now and the difference is obvious.
This is only my humble opinion.
In my opinion, we have changed our natural style of play over the years and our players are finding it very difficult to adapt.
Take a look at videos of our old, great players, Sir Gary, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Richie Richardson, Chris Gayle and Shiv Chanderpaul, they all played mostly off the back foot, allowing the ball to come to them. Sir Viv is the only one who went at the ball but he was a player that did things his way. (Genius)
I have watched Sir Gary hit half volleys off the back foot. Richie was another great player that did it well. West Indian players were taught to stand still and watch the ball. They reacted to what they saw coming at them.
Since we invited all these foreign coaches who have brought their styles, like trigger movements and pressing forward, our batsmen look confused. I don't blame the foreign coaches, they can only teach what they know.
I also feel that this is the reason why our players show promise at the early stages of their careers. They are coached locally and they are mostly taught the West Indian way. As soon as they get to a level where their technique is changed, they look like manufactured players, nothing natural about them anymore.
Compare the very natural look of Greenidge and Haynes to our openers now and the difference is obvious.
This is only my humble opinion.