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Peter West, for many years the avuncular anchorman for the BBC’s televised cricket, died this morning at his home in Bath after a long illness. He was 83, and is survived by his wife Pauline, a daughter and two sons.He took his first steps in journalism in 1945, after his war was cut short by back trouble. He started in radio two years later, and graduated to the TV screen in 1951, by which time he was also editing the new Playfair Cricket Annual. It wasn’t just cricket: West covered everything from the Olympics to rugby and Wimbledon, via Come Dancing, which he hosted for 15 years.West was unflappable, whether trying to interview Ted Dexter in a thunderstorm (“Are you all right, Ted?” “Yes, but I think I’ve just been struck by lightning”) or quizzing the umpire Tommy Spencer on the top of the pavilion at The Oval, cunningly seated next to a huge speaker that kept broadcasting the teatime scores at inconvenient moments in the discussion.He was the front man for the BBC’s cricket coverage until the end of the 1986 season, when Tony Lewis took over. West then wrote an autobiography, and covered Mike Gatting’s 1986-87 “Grand Slam” tour of Australia for the Daily Telegraph.More recently he was able to reassure a newspaper which had referred to “the late Peter West” that rumours of his demise were exaggerated. Now, sadly, they are not.

Sachin Tendulkar has ruled himself out of India’s tour to the West Indies after deciding not to undergo a scheduled fitness test in Mumbai this morning. Tendulkar, who had been operated on for a shoulder tear in the last week of March, had been training hard to regain playing fitness in order to make it to the Test squad which will be announced tomorrow.However, the much-anticipated fitness test, scheduled to be conducted under the supervision of Andrew Leipus, the former physiotherapist to the Indian team who has been overseeing Tendulkar’s rehabilitation process, did not take place, and Tendulkar infomed the Indian board that he should not be considered for selection.Speaking to reporters, Tendulkar said, “We have been trying hard. Andrew Leipus has been with me all the time and all my sessions were monitored. There is weakness in my arm. I am not still ready to compete at the international level. I will be going to London for further treatment.”Leipus told Cricinfo (click here to listen to him on Cricinfo Audio) that Tendulkar was desperate to get back but was also aware of the risks of a premature move. “I don’t think there was any doubt that he wanted to get back and play and that is a very strong driving force – that desire to get back is pretty motivating factor in terms of the lengths of recovery. If you are very positive to getting back as quickly as possible then you will get back as quickly possible. You’ll get back quicker than someone who is very negative or very scared about moving.”So in that respect he has done very, very well to get where he is in such a short period of time. At this stage, though, he just functionally doesn’t have that strength to be comfortable about playing all his shots. He understands that his focus isn’t completely on what the bowler is doing, there are other issues at the back of his mind, which means that the rehabilitation process hasn’t been completed yet.”Tendulkar was unsure about how long the treatment is likely to take, or indeed when he will regain full fitness. When asked, he said “It’s a difficult question. I don’t know. I leave it to the doctors to guide me in the right direction. The doctor will be in touch with the board.” Tendulkar will leave for London tonight to consult with Andrew Wallace, the doctor who operated on his shoulder.Leipus said that Tendulkar needed to rest and recuperate, instead of over-exerting himself with training. “Primarily the decision has been based on functional weakness, not on performance basis. We don’t want him to do any further damage to his shoulder. We are looking at the big picture of his career. Recovery is important. He can’t just keep training – he has to rest in order to get his body stronger.”He also revealed that the decision was a joint one. “A player’s opinion is critical, so it was a joint decision. He understood that he wasn’t quite comfortable in what he was doing in the nets and I just supported that by what I saw in the gym and functionally in the other tests I did with him. It was a tough decision from a point of the view of keeping the player away from play but it was an easy decision to make in terms of physical assessment,” Leipus said.Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said that the board was keen to have Tendulkar in the team as soon as possible and his rehabilitation process will be reviewed in two to three weeks time by the team management.Tendulkar’s shoulder ruled him out of the recent ODI series against England and is a further blow in what has been an injury-plagued period in his career; the problem comes on the back of a tennis elbow he suffered last season. The injuries have been compounded by a relative lack of success on the field.Meanwhile, Wasim Jaffer, the Indian opener who made his comeback in the series against England, is available for selection after he passed a fitness test following a shin surgery. “We looked at it [Jaffer’s fitness test] from the point of view of his legs and he is fit,” Leipus said. “He was slightly out of breath today because he is recovering from viral fever.” Jaffer, who scored his first Test hundred at Nagpur against England in March this year, is likey to be selected as opener, ahead of the inexperienced Robin Uthappa. The tour to West Indies will be Jaffer’s second, having played there in 2002 under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy.The four-Test series begins in Antigua on June 2.To listen to Sambit Bal’s views on Tendulkar in Cricinfo Audio, click here.

Simon Jones has rejoined England’s one-day squad after undergoing a week of intensive rehabilitation on his knee problem. Jones was released from the squad after England’s opening match against Bangladesh, at The Oval, after suffering a sore right knee.He has been working at the academy in Loughborough and has now been cleared to take his place again for the remaining matches of the tournament. This began with training at Headingley ahead of tomorrow’s match against Bangladesh.Chris Tremlett, the Hampshire seamer, joined the squad in Jones’ absence and has performed well in the last two matches. He took 4 for 32, the second best figures by England player on one-day international debut, at Trent Bridge against Bangladesh, then took 1 for 53 against Australia at Durham.The England selectors will make a decision over the weekend as to whether Tremlett will remain with the squad now that Jones is fit again.

Naveed Nawaz will lead the 16-member Sri Lanka A team on their New Zealand tour next month. Thilina Kandamby, the 21 year old left-hander from Bloomfield, was named vice-captain. Kandamby, who is looked upon as future captaincy material, has proved to be a thinking cricketer during club matches in the Premier trophy tournament.Nawaz will lead a team which comprises five fast bowlers, an all-rounder and a spinner on the five-week long tour which will see Sri Lanka A play three five-day unofficial Tests and three one-dayers against New Zealand A.Lasith Malinga, Mario Villavarayen, Tharanga Lakshitha, Charitha Buddhika and Dinusha Fernando are the fast bowlers in the team with Hasantha Fernando as the fast bowling all-rounder. Left-armer Dinuk Hettiarachchi is the only recognized spinner. Prasanna Jayawardene is the only wicket-keeper in the side and in an emergency Chamara Silva may be asked to don the gloves.Though the squad is named it is awaiting ratification from the Sports Ministry. Squad
1 Naveed Nawaz (capt), 2 Thilina Kandamby, 3 Ian Daniel, 4 Shantha Kalavitigoda, 5 Pradeep Hewage, 6 Jehan Mubarak, 7 Bathiya Perera, 8 Chamara Silva, 9 Hasantha Fernando, 10 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 11 Dinuk Hettiarachchi, 12 Lasith Malinga, 13 Mario Villavarayen, 14 Tharanga Lakshitha, 15 Charitha Buddhika, 16 Dinusha Fernando.The tour itinerary
March 3: ArrivalMarch 5-7: Sri Lanka A v Otago at AlexanderMarch 11-15: 1st five-day unofficial Test at QueenstownMarch 19-23: 2nd five-day unofficial Test at LincolnMarch 27-31: 3rd five-day unofficial Test at ChristchurchApril 3: 1st limited-over game at LincolnApril 5: 2nd limited-over game at LincolnApril 7: 3rd limited-over game at LincolnApril 8: Departure

India’s inability to do anything right was typified in Queenstown today when no sooner had the game finished with another predictable New Zealand victory after only 25.4 overs, than the skies opened and the rain that had been threatening fell.But by that stage New Zealand had tucked away the National Bank Series by a seven-wicket margin.It is turning into the least competitive tour in New Zealand’s history of One-Day International series at home.India had no excuses to offer today. It must now be seriously wondered how much issues back at home are playing on this side’s performance. The players have denied it, but then they would.The simple fact of the matter is that India are playing well below anything like the standard that could be expected of a side with their capabilities. A full-house crowd on one of the world’s most spectacular cricket grounds couldn’t even lift the visitors.All 10 of India’s wickets fell for only 84 runs, this after the side made their best start of the series with 38 runs made by Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid who had been relieved of the wicket-keeping gloves to allow 17-year-old Parthiv Patel to make his ODI debut. They were all out for 122.They ran into Andre Adams in full cry on the occasion of his return to international cricket. He achieved a career-best five wickets for 22 runs which was also equal to the second best performance by a New Zealand bowler. He shares the spot with Matthew Hart.What was even more impressive about his effort was the quality of the wickets he took: Sehwag, Dravid, Mohammad Kaif and Dinesh Mongia in the top order.Yuvraj Singh was the only middle-order player to throw out an anchor and attempt to build his innings. But he couldn’t attract anyone to stay with him and he was eventually out attempting a big hit and being caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 25 scored off 61 balls. His was the ninth wicket to fall.It was almost inevitable that India would be out after 43.4 overs, that was equal to the longest innings they have managed in the series.Making their job that much harder was the continued superb fielding of the New Zealanders. They show such enthusiasm in the field that fielding has become another extension of their attack and it is clearly something that offers a challenge to all involved.New Zealand showed when they batted that the pitch held no hidden terrors and sensible, common sense application was rewarded with runs scored at a reasonable pace.The most encouraging thing for New Zealand was the sight of skipper Stephen Fleming getting among the runs for the first time in the one-day series.He scored 47 runs during a 59-ball 92-minute innings which saw New Zealand past the 100-run mark and safely on the way to a comfortable win. There was a freedom about the strokeplay he exhibited that has been for too long and no shot was better than the six he pulled behind backward square leg off Ajit Agarkar.It took the classiest bowler in India’s line-up, Javagal Srinath to dismiss him, courtesy of an edge to second slip Sehwag. Srinath was the only Indian to take a wicket in the match, taking all three for 35 runs off 9.4 overs.Zaheer Khan bowled only two overs having had 15 taken off his second over, 12 of them to Nathan Astle. Astle looked to be set for another blow-out but he had reached 15 when he touched a wider ball from Srinath to first slip Dravid.

Saurav Ganguly’s return to Kolkata on Monday was different from whatit had been in the past. Ganguly usually returns to the city quietlyand without fuss with only an escort jeep accompanying him on his wayfrom the airport to his home in Behala. Monday was different. He wasgiven the Z-category security treatment as he stepped out from theplane on to the tarmac. There were plain clothes policemen shadowinghis every move. They had to be on their toes as the militant groupcalled Lashkar-Ei-Toiba has threatened to kidnap the Indian captain.All along the route from the airport to the Ganguly residence, therewere two cars packed with black cat personnel accompanying Ganguly. Athome also there were carbine-totting security men. A high level policeofficer said on Tuesday, "We have decided to give Ganguly the Z-category security cover. We are doing so because we have instructionsto do so. Other than that I am not in a position to divulgeanything."Ganguly’s father Chandi however, said that the security cover has beenprovided because of the threat. "The militant group has threatened tokidnap both Sourav and Sachin Tendulkar. So the Central Government hasprovided them with protection." He also informed that it was a newexperience for the entire family. "We have never known what securityis all about. Now we are also realizing the disadvantages of sucharrangements. But we have to accept it. After all, the warnings of themilitant groups cannot be taken lightly." In fact at the Gangulyresidence, three security personnel with stenguns are constantlyguarding the balcony that leads to the drawing room and bed room ofthe Indian captain.Meanwhile, the captain himself felt that the loss of Sachin Tendulkarfor a major part of the one-day triangular series in Sri Lanka wouldbe a great blow. "However, we have to overcome it. Sachin has rarelymissed a match, such is his commitment to the side. So his absencewill be felt. But then I am confident that the juniors will performtheir duties," he said today. Talking about his own form, Gangulysaid that his bad patch was probably over. "I have started scoringruns. In the last few innings that I have played, I have got twoscores over fifty. I hope that I will be able to regain my form fullyin Sri Lanka."The Indian captain also added that his performance in the past hadraised the expectations of the people. "But then I cannot alwaysscore centuries." Talking about his new opening partner, AmayKhurasia, the Indian captain said, "He has scored a lot of runs andhas the ability to make full use of the first 15 overs. I am confidentthat he will do well."

The ill fated South Zone under-22 game between Kerala and Andhra,badly affected by rain, ended in a tame draw at Kakinada on Saturday.The first two days were totally washed out because of inclementweather. On the final day play started only at 12.30 pm and in the 60overs possible, Kerala put in to bat, struggled to make 102 for fivewickets off 60 overs.KS Shahabuddin and Md Faiq each bagged two wickets as Kerala lostwickets at regular intervals. Symbolising Kerala’s struggle for runswas Vipin Lal. Coming in at No 3 after the first wicket had fallen at16, Vipin Lal remained unbeaten with 30 at the end for which he batted194 minutes and faced 150 balls without hitting a boundary. The teamsshared three points each.

Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson has criticised the ICC for banning Marlon Samuels for two years and wants the relevant law to be amended. Samuels was found guilty of breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct for “receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute.”The violation, which occurred during West Indies’ tour of India in early 2007, carries a minimum two-year ban which came into effect on May 9. Richardson was part of the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) disciplinary committee that recommended a suspended sentence on account of Samuels’ good behaviour.”We aren’t the ones who banned Marlon for two years,” Richardson told Caribbean Media Corporation. “We wouldn’t have done that and we will be issuing a statement to indicate that law needs to be revised because it is unfair.”The committee said they had also written to WICB president Julian Hunte “expressing concern about the propriety of prescribing mandatory minimum punishments” for the nature of Samuels’ offence.”I’m very disappointed I’m involved. I wish I wasn’t because it is unfair. This law seems to be made by somebody in an office somewhere who wants to be in control.”I can understand the problem we are having in the game with match-fixing and all of that. I can understand that they want to be severe. If somebody willingly and deliberately based on information, gives out [information] to a bookie or anything like that I can understand that ban.”But Marlon naively befriended this guy or this guy befriended him and I haven’t seen anything to prove that Marlon either deliberately gave out information or deliberately received funds from anyone.”Acting ICC president Dave Richardson had earlier justified the ban saying, “minimum penalties were agreed by the ICC Board, including all Full Members, and they reflect the seriousness of the issues at hand.”

The Sri Lankan board has banned Ruchira Perera, a left-arm fast bowler, for a suspect bowling action. He will not be allowed to bowl until further notice.Sri Lanka Cricket have received several umpires’ reports on Perera’s bowling action during the on-going first-class season, a source in the board said.Perera, 30, who has played eight Tests and 19 ODIs for Sri Lanka, turns out for Colombo Colts in the Premier League competition. He is the club’s leading wicket-taker this season – with 24 wickets from four matches at 15.58.Batsmen have been constantly hit by some of Perera’s deliveries which have been termed dangerous, it’s been reported. The SLC video-taped Perera’s bowling action during matches and its technical committee reviewed it and sent the tapes and their report to Marc Portus, the bio-mechanist at the Australian Institute of Sport. The technical committee comprised Bandula Warnapura, director cricket operations, and former umpires KT Francis, Peter Manuel, BC Cooray and Godfrey Pushparaja.Portus’ report indicated that Perera’s bowling arm exceeded the 15-degree limit allowed by the ICC, and he remedial action to rectify it. Till his action is cleared by the ICC, he will not be allowed to bowl.Perera’s action came under scrutiny on Sri Lanka’s tour to England in 2002. On advice from Darryl Foster, a bowling coach and biomechanics expert at the University of Western Australia, Perera modified his wrist position just before the point of delivery. The SLC were satisfied with the adjustment then.Perera returned to international cricket in late 2002, against South Africa, but he was only a shadow of the bowler he had been earlier. He didn’t play Tests again, although he played a part in ODIs till 2007.

On the emotions he went through
I wouldn’t say I was nervous. I came to the realisation a long time ago that this was going to be my last game. I had decided since Grenada. I know we still had a chance, but the World Cup was always going to be the last for me. I had prepared myself. It is a situation where you are playing a team game. My main focus today was to get the team a victory, see if we can set the tone for the next couple of months. We are playing against England and the guys can leave with some sort of a semblance of positivity in moving forward.I still think it was a very good game. But personally I was calm. I wanted to put an innings together. I wasn’t going to play any rash shot or anything. I just played each ball on its merit. But things didn’t work out. Unfortunately I got run-out. These things happen. But I felt good, I felt comfortable and as the day went on, I knew that I made the right decision. I knew that it was the right time to call it a day, to let the younger players take the West Indies. Maybe we can see some change in the near future.On his feelings for the Kensington Oval, the ground where he had constructed an epic 153 against Australia in 1999
[When] you are growing up, the West Indies were dominating cricket. But it was always a fight to win in Guyana, a fight to win in Trinidad. It sort of served the spinners well. But Barbados, Kensington Oval the tourists didn’t want to go there at all. It was the Mecca of cricket for the Caribbean. I really and truly wanted to play a Test match at the Kensington Oval and not just one Test match. I wanted to do really well. This venue is special. Today it was the second time I have played in the new stadium, but Kensington Oval is definitely for me the Mecca of cricket in the Caribbean. Letting it host the World Cup final is a very, very good idea by the West Indies Cricket Board and the organisers. I have had wonderful moments here.My 153 not out is classed as one of the best innings I have played, and I have enjoyed. I have enjoyed seeing no-one in stadium for four-five days and the West Indies got a victory against South Africa in 1992. That was also very special. I think that might have been my first match here. Even though the scene was unfortunate, I believe the spirit in the team and the fight we showed on that particular day was excellent. Kensington Oval would be one of the first places I would be traveling, just 35 minutes away from Trinidad, to see my next Test match.

On life outside cricket
I have played for a pretty long time. I have put together something like 430 matches for the West Indies. I have enjoyed it. I know it must come to an end at some point in time, and yes I have thought about it. For my daughter to spend a lot more time with her. I have got a few business interests that has been during this genesis period and hopefully I will be able to spend more time with it and move on with life. I don’t see myself regretting this decision. I have enjoyed my time and I will enjoy my life after cricket.On what has changed
First of all, our one-day game was actually not progressing quite well. Before the World Cup, we got to the final in Malaysia and the ICC Champions Trophy. We had a little bit of a hiccup in Pakistan and India for a few one-day games. But I thought we were well set for leaving the World Cup a successful team if not winning the World Cup, but getting at least to the semi-finals or the finals. I thought it was the right time to leave the team on a high and move forward and see what we can do in the Test arena. But the results didn’t turn out as expected. So, West Indies cricket is at a stage where change is necessary. We are, most likely, going to have a young captain, someone under the age of 30 years, and he will need to mould this team with the support that he needs.I just thought there is no need for me to be out there. Physically there is nothing much I can do to help at present, and as I said I have unconditional love for West Indies cricket and I am looking forward to playing a part at any point of time. I would like to have a bit of a break though, away from the game. You know, it’s just a matter of allowing the team that change that is needed. Maybe this is just one of it. Maybe there is a lot more to take place. But I just see no reason for me to carry on at this present time.On his message to youngsters
Just to play the game with passion and commitment. I think it is important. When I started playing cricket, I had a great love for it through my dad. He saw life vicariously through myself. He had six other boys and they all played a bit of cricket. But I think they stopped at club level or village level. Maybe when I first picked up the bat, the sort of support I had from him was tremendous. It’s the commitment that is needed from the youngsters, but most importantly, for anyone to get anywhere, the parents need to play a very important part. The support that I got from my parents – the late Pearl and Bunty – was tremendous, and also my sister Agnes, who took me to Harvard Coaching Clinic. I have so much to thank them for.Yes I want to see the youngsters with passion and commitment, but I think the need the support from their parents, from school masters and wherever they can get it from to play the game and to get anywhere at all.On whether he has come full circle with respect to his captaincy
I am not going to dwell too much on that. That’s now history. What I have to do is just wish the team and the new captain all the best, and try to persuade the West Indies Cricket Board to ensure that the captain and the team have the support that is necessary from them. You might see 11 individuals out there and of course we are criticised all the time after we have a bad performance. But West Indies cricket goes deep and unless we lay a proper foundation, you know you are going to get that sort of performance out in the middle where, on one day we are spectacular and can score 418 runs to win a Test match in fourth innings, and the next day we can’t score 60.About that captaincy thing, I have no reason to be worried about it anymore. I just want to move on. My support is always going to be there. I have had an open-door policy with the players. They all know my number and they can call me at any point in time, for anything at all and I will be there to support them.On his future plans
That is stuff that I have not really thought about. There is a book in the pipeline, but it is going to take some time. But first of all, I just want to move back a little bit, relax and wake up tomorrow, or next week or two weeks from now, knowing I can do what I want. I can pick my daughter up and take her to school and do many different things that I haven’t been able to do in the past. The future is there and I will have a lot of opportunities in front of me. But there is no reason to rush into anything at this present time.Change anything about your career?
No. I have learnt from all my experiences. It’s been a passage of life where I have enjoyed, and now I am going into a new chapter. Whatever has happened, negative or positive, it is going to have an impact on my decision making in the future. I wouldn’t change anything at all. There are things that I am sorry for, and there are things that I have rejoiced over. But that’s life. My life has been played out in public, so be it. But it’s been a great learning experience and I am still full of life, I still want to do a lot of different things.I am going to go back and see how I handle different situations, try to move on and see if I can do things differently in the future.On the things he’s sorry for
There are many things I am sorry for. There is no need to express any now, but you try your best and sometimes your best is not good enough. I think the 10-12 years I have spent in the decline of West Indies cricket have been really, really tough.

I have gone to each and every single tour, very optimistic of our chances of changing things. But things did not happen.The West Indies people need a strong West Indies team. Unfortunately we have not been able to produce that for quite some time. But at some point in time, we are going to see West Indies right back on top, and I will be standing 70 or 80 yards away, applauding that team.It’s been a tough ride and it’s been a tough career. Unfortunately, not a lot of successes, but these things happen. I just got to move on.On his family members at the game
Quite a few. Brothers, sister and Sydney I came across. I don’t know who else. Maybe I will see them back at the hotel. But I didn’t pay for any flights.On team selection
I don’t know anything about any selection. I know I sat with the selectors in Antigua to pick the team for England, and of course I picked myself. That’s all I know at this present time. I have informed the president that I want to move on with my life. So I think I have done the right things and allowed them an opportunity to move ahead with West Indies cricket.On whether Sarwan is the ideal man to lead the team
He has been around for quite some time. He has been vice-captain under two captains – myself and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. And of course he would have gained a lot of experience over a period of time. But let’s see who the West Indies Cricket Board put in charge. I am going to be in full support of that individual, and whatever help I can give. I am only a phone call away. I don’t want to persuade that decision. It is up to them. They have been watching for quite some time and they would know exactly what’s the right decision to make.On memories of his 375 and 400 against England and now retiring after playing them
That was not the plan. I think it is just a coincidence. It is a nice way to actually go out. I have been playing with quite a few great players. I saw Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge – all these guys wanted to go that little extra step. Unfortunately they were not granted the opportunity to. For me to call the shot today, at least I had the opportunity to say goodbye officially and when I wanted to. If it was England, or Australia in the finals, whoever it was didn’t matter. I am really happy. I had the opportunity to say goodbye to my fans and people who have supported me over the years.

On achieving personal goals
As I said, one of the hardest questions I have had to answer over the years is, “How do you make 400?”, “What were you thinking about going to 375?” These are really difficult questions. I think that was just destiny. The man above decided on those things. The most unfortunate thing for me or the hardest thing for me in cricket is not achieving what I set out to do from the very beginning – to be a part of a successful team over a long period of time. I had a little taste of it when I started in 1989, and up till 1995. The last 12 years have been very disappointing. That in itself is the sort of disappointment I have had, nothing individually really. I am just very thankful to be able to break all those records. It has been a great honour to play for the West Indies, to hold a bat and to spend 17 years in international cricket. That is something I am proud of.On how the game has progressed
Australia have really grabbed hold of the game, both at the Test level and one-day game. They have gone in front and set the standards. A lot of people have tried to get to them but haven’t been able to. But I think the game is in good hands. There are a lot of very good players out there. The standard of the game is still very good. I know the ICC has tried to cut back on a lot of different things, but it is still a game that people need to be entertained. I have played my part and I feel the future of cricket is good.I think the inclusion of the Twenty20 game is also something that is special, and people are going to enjoy that. A new group of spectators are going to come out and watch that part of the game. I think it is moving in the right direction and I just want to wish it continues to do so. There are a few unfortunate things that have happened in the past, but it has happened with the other sports. Maybe because you are in cricket, you feel it a lot. But I think the game is going to carry on. It has been around for quite some time and I don’t see it stopping now.

I know the first class game has suffered – the Sheffield Shield and even here in the Caribbean. In county cricket, a lot of the international players are not playing. If there is one thing I would like to see improve in cricket, it is the first-class level. I think that should be raised a level where it is very competitive and very attractive.If you look at football, international football is big. But when you talk about club football, that’s on par. The coaches and managers don’t want their players to play for their country because they have a big cup match or something like that.I would like to see county cricket or Sheffield Shield, or cricket in South Africa or the West Indies come to a level very close to Test cricket that you’re going to have a wider base of players, more players to look at, and maybe more fans coming out to support that level of the game. At present, that is where cricket is struggling. Our first-class level is not that great and maybe this is the end product where our Test cricket isn’t very good, our one-day game isn’t very good. Maybe we need to lift the standards of our one-day game.On his plans of playing county cricket
I just need to walk out of this room and think; go home and relax for a little while. I am not writing anything off. But at this present time, I am just happy to have played for the West Indies and to be here today and telling you all about it. I don’t know what the future holds on the cricket field. You just got to wait and see.On whether it’s been a frustrating journey
It has been very disappointing. It has been frustrating. That is what I played the game for – to play with a team that was successful. I just wasn’t able to do that for the last 12 years or so. I had some real glimpse of hope and on many occasions. I think this team has got so much talent. The things that we have achieved sometimes, no other team has done it. It’s just we can’t put it together consistently. Maybe the change that is happening now might help that in the future.On Twenty20 cricket
You are asking someone who likes Test cricket more than anything else. So to go to even the shortest version of the game now and say that it is going to dominate in a few years is hard for me to say. I hope not. What I would like to see is a turnout like this for a Test match in the Caribbean.The Twenty20 game is around now and it is three hours, and people like that. It has brought out spectators who have actually never come to cricket before, and they love it. But I hope we don’t lose any form of the game – we don’t lose the 50-over game or Test cricket because of it.On his toughest opponents and his favourite batsmen
Australia is definitely the toughest team that I’ve played against and after that series in 1995 they have beaten us every single time except maybe in 1999 when we drew the series but they still carried away the Frank Worrell Trophy. Sachin Tendulkar is definitely a top-class batsman but you know the fact that we retract. I think I appreciate all batsmen what they are playing to the table. I love all of them, I love to see them bat. There’s [Rahul] Dravid. You want someone to bat for their life, you want Dravid to bat for your life, you want Kallis to bat for your life. Ricky Ponting is an amazing player. Sarwan is very special, There’s Chris Gayle, I have seen a few innings and he has gone on to score 100 or 150.Message for Tendulkar
Sachin is an outstanding player and he knows what he has to do. It’s been a disappointing World Cup for him as well but he has a couple of years left. I am sure he might be in line for another World Cup. There is not much I can tell Sachin other than to keep enjoying it and it was a pleasure to spend time on and off the field and whenever I have had the opportunity. I will be there to see him batting because he is a special player.