PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

FORMER ENGLAND Test captain Mike Brearley has blamed West Indies cricket administrators for the failure of successive Caribbean teams over the past 13 years.

The 64-year-old Brearley, who led England in 31 matches between 1972 and 1981, said he believed regional administrators had failed to build on the success which came during the '70s and '80s.

"All teams go though cycles where they have poor performances, but I think that not enough work was done at the junior level during that period, when the West Indies were on top to ensure that they were able benefit from these performances," said Brearley, who is in Trinidad and Tobago to fulfill several engagements.

Similar low periods

He pointed out that other teams, like Australia and England, went through similar low periods but the systems which they employed prevented it from reaching a point of crisis.

"England and Australia faced similar problems at various times but were able to recover because they did the developmental work at the junior level," Brearley pointed out.

More effort

Brearley, however, said there were several things which could be done which could translate into better results for the team.

"Many things go into making a good team. It's all about the players, their performance and the overall team effort which is put in," he explained.

"When you look at England, for example, the enthusiasm of a Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff can raise a team on any given day."

However, he said that more should be done to encourage the growth of such players as they would bring West Indies back to their former glory.