Brian Lara: West Indies’ problems in Test cricket not solved by money

West Indies great Brian Lara does not think their current issues in Test cricket would be resolved by solely investing more money.

They are eighth in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test rankings, having been a dominant force in the 1980s when they set a then-record 11 consecutive Test victories.

In contrast they failed to win any of their three Test series in 2023, but did pick up their first red-ball win in Australia since 1997 earlier this year.

“If you put 100 million, 200 million dollars into the West Indies’ bank account, is it going to change the way we play the game? I’m not sure,” Lara told BBC World Service’s Stumped podcast.

“We are not harnessing the talent that we have.”

A host of Windies players, such as Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope, are opting to play just white-ball cricket internationally, which enables them to play in franchise leagues across the world.

Other sports, such as athletics, are also big across the different nations in the Caribbean, which affects the talent pool available.

“Obviously, cricket has been diluted by the number of different sports and different opportunities for kids, but I still believe that corporate West Indies have got to get involved,” said Lara.

“The West Indies Cricket Board hasn’t done the right job in attracting these sponsors to ensure that at least grassroots, but also the academy, all the different things, the facilities, are up to standard. I think these things are very, very important.”

Their current top five in the Test against England at Lord’s had played 96 Tests between them prior to the game starting, but captain Kraigg Brathwaite accounted for 89 of those appearances.

In comparison England’s top five had played in 259 Tests.