Robert Craddock: Australian cricket must step in to help the West Indies

Australian cricket has never had a great reputation for helping out battling nations. But as ROBERT CRADDOCK writes, it can right that wrong by ensuring West Indies’ Test future.

IF there’s one thing to come out of this series is that world and Australian cricket must do everything it can to ensure West Indian Test cricket never dies.

It is nine long years since Australia toured the West Indies for a Test series, and that was for only two Tests.

Players like Adam Voges and Shane Watson were in that squad. It seems like a long time ago because it was. Too long.

The West Indies can be proud of their efforts this tour. To watch them try and push Australia to melting point on a brutally hot Brisbane day on day three of the Test was to see a side who respected their opponents but were not overwhelmed by them.

Shamar Joseph has a huge future at Test level.

Players like Kirk McKenzie, in just his third Test and 15th first class game, embodied the fearless spirit of the team with a breezy 41 off 50 balls including a series of sumptuous driven fours.

McKenzie has great potential and if he was in the financially strong Australian system would be nurtured to being the best he could be. But in the struggling West Indies system you never know. He could become a T20 journeyman and an international bit player.

Conditions may have been in his favour but there was a very clear sense, like the rest of his team, McKenzie was playing the ball and not the bowler’s 250-plus wicket pedigree no matter who was delivering it.

No matter what the result of this Test the West Indies have proved that while Australia has a truly high class Test team who normally gets the job done, their once mighty aura is not a weapon it once was.

Kirk McKenzie batted well on day three in Brisbane. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

There has been no indication the West Indies, nor Pakistan, were quivering in their boots this summer.

In all five Tests there have been moments when the visitors have either been hugely in the game or on top.

This tour has rekindled Australia’s long held then seemingly lost affection for West Indian cricket.

In the early 1980s when they were the most glamorous team in the world the West Indies used to tour Australia every other year and were one of the game’s – and Australia’s – great cash cows.

But since they have faded as Test force Australia has gone cold on them. Australia has never had a great reputation for helping out battling nations.

It’s a shame.

Australia's Pat Cummins is seen with Kraigg Brathwaite at the coin toss.

The Windies not only have the players to form a competitive Test team they still bring a charm all of their own.

They have provided two of the most inspiring stories of the summer in fast man Shamar Joseph, who comes from the tiny village of Baracara which only got mobile phone reception in 2018.

And then Kevin Sinclair, raised in such poverty he often went to school hungry, scored a 50 on debut this Test, took a wicket then celebrated with a spectacular backflip.

Neither of these players showed any sense of fear against the Australians. In fact they seemed to revel in the challenge of playing them.

There’s been times over the last few decades when teams arriving in Australia – including several English teams – were beaten before they faced a ball.

Not Pakistan and the West Indies. They will return home without a trophy but with immense respect from Australian fans.

Originally published as Robert Craddock: Australian cricket must step in to help the West Indies